The United States Armed Forces (USAF or Armed Forces) are the military forces of the United States. The Armed Forces include six distinct forces:
• Army
• Navy
• Air Force
• Marine Corps
• Coast Guard
• Space Force
The President of the United States is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and works with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to formulate U.S. military policy.
In Minnesota, as in all states, the United States Armed Forces are under the federal jurisdiction and are composed of six branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. The President serves as the Commander in Chief and oversees these forces in conjunction with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the Coast Guard. While state law does not govern the organization or command of the Armed Forces, Minnesota statutes do provide for certain benefits and protections for service members, such as employment protections, educational benefits, and other support services. Additionally, the Minnesota National Guard operates under both federal and state jurisdiction, with the Governor of Minnesota having control over the Guard when it is not federalized.