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 Virginia, 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 armed forces with the assistance of the Department of Defense (DoD) and, for the Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Military policy and operations are federally managed, and thus the regulations and statutes applicable to the Armed Forces are consistent across all states, including Virginia. The state does not have the authority to regulate federal military forces, but it does support military personnel through state benefits and services tailored to veterans and active-duty members of the military.