Military Quiz – How Much Do You Know About The Armed Forces?
In the United States, who is in second in line to be in charge of the military after the Commander In Chief?
Monica King
The sitting president is in charge of the U.S. Military, but after him that duty falls to the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense is the most knowledgeable person of the Armed Forces, but the ultimate decision to declare war will always lie with the U.S. Congress.
Which of these celebrities served time in the United States Air Force?
Airman 1st Class Kelly LeGuillon, U.S. Air Force
Simon & Garfunkel were quite famous for their ballads and heartful music, but neither of them served in the U.S. Air Force - or military at all for that matter. Morgan Freeman turned down a theatre scholarship in order to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He served from 1955-1959.
What is the U.S. Marine Corps motto?
U.S. Marine Corps
Semper Paratus does sounds pretty good, but it isn't the motto of the U.S. Marines. Semper Paratus translates to 'Always Ready' in English from Latin.
What does 'Semper Fidelis', or 'Semper Fi', translate to in English?
U.S. Marine Corps
'Semper Fidelis' translates to Always Faithful. To Marines, that phrase is more than a phrase - it's a way of life.
What city in the United States is home to the most military personnel?
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ernest R. Scott, Department of Defense
Virginia is home to over 20 military bases and each branch of the military has at least one base in Virginia. In Virginia as well as the U.S., Norfolk is easily the most populated city of military personnel.
Why do troops in Southeast Asia, along with visiting U.S. troops, drink cobra blood?
Sgt. Robert Arellano, U.S. Marine Corps
In remote combat locations, such as the jungles of Vietnam or Thailand, troops must learn how to live off the land. In many cases this includes learning what of the land is edible. Cobras, while venomous, are quite nutritional once you cut their heads off. They can be eaten raw or grilled.
Military personnel might refer to a crashed helicopter as FUBAR. What does FUBAR stand for?
NASA
Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition. Totaled. No coming back. FUBAR means it's irreparable and not worth the time and effort.
How many men and women are currently enlisted in the U.S. Military?
Sgt. Brandon Moreno, U.S. Army
The United States ranks third in the world in military size. At it's peak in the early 1970s, while drafting soldiers was still a thing, the U.S. military population was north of 2 million.
Which of theses colleges does not have a military component?
The Eagle
Virginia Tech and Texas A&M both maintain a Corps of Cadets, two of the six military colleges outside of the five federal military academies. All Georgia Southern has is a pretty good football team.
As in G.I. Joe, what does G.I. stand for?
U.S. Army
'Government Issue', or alternatively, 'General Issue', was the phrase given to U.S. Soldiers. Originally it stood for 'Galvanized Iron', which is the material that many military items (trash cans, buckets, etc.) were made of. But over time, the soldiers took on the names themselves.
A HALO jump (High Altitude, Low Open) is when paratroopers jump from very high in the air. What altitude is the highest that paratroopers will jump from?
Next time you're on a commercial flight, pay attention to the altitude announcements. You'll likely reach cruising altitude at about 30,000-40,000 feet. Now, imagine jumping out of that plane!
Which U.S. President ranked the highest in the military?
Imperial War Museums
With the title General of the Armies of the United States, George Washington was the highest ranked military officer to ever serve as U.S. President.
When did the first woman serve in the US Military?
While World War I marked the first time that women were technically allowed to serve in the military, Deborah Sampson served for General George Washington's army in 1782. She disguised herself as a man and only was found out only after she was wounded. She was honorably discharged from service, and later given a military pension from the Continental Congress.
How many aircraft carriers (fixed wing aircraft) are in service in the world?
U.S. Navy
The U.S. operates 11 of the 19 active aircraft carriers in the world. The rest are in service with Russia, Thailand, India, U.K., China, Italy, and France.
What was the original name of what is now called the U.S. Navy?
U.S. Navy
In 1775, the Second Continental Congress created the Continental Navy.
What was the original name of what is now called the U.S. Air Force?
The very first iteration of an aeronautical group with military purposes was called the Signal Corps Aeronautical Division, founded in 1914. However the Air Force as it is today was originally called the U.S. Army Air Corps. It became the U.S. Air Force in 1947.
How many takedowns did a U.S. fighter pilot require to be named as 'Ace'?
U.S. Air Force
The term “ace” is unofficially bestowed on those pilots and weapon systems officers who have shot down five enemy aircraft. The label became popular among military pilots during World War I.
What is the most expensive single aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory?
U.S. Air Force
The B-2 Spirit, with its stealthy attributes and high-flying capabilities, costs an exorbitant $730 million per aircraft. No wonder there aren't too many in USAF inventory.
How many U.S. military bases are there in the United Kingdom?
Staff Sgt. William Greer, U.S. Air Force
Each of the five is operated by the U.S. to serve U.S. interests, yet has Royal Air Force status to appear British: RAF Alconbury, RAF Croughton, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Menwith Hill and RAF Mildenhall.
Which U.S. branch of the military has the most enlisted personnel?
U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Army has over 450,000 members, the next closest is the Navy with over 270,000 and then the Air Force with over 250,000.
What is the lowest rank in the U.S. Army?
Staff Sgt. Philip Steiner, U.S. Army
E-1 is the pay grade, and Private is the initial classification a U.S. Army enlisted service-member holds. The average pay for a Private is roughly $1,600 a month.
When was the last time a body of troops charged a major combat zone on horseback? Hint: Italians
While there may have been later charges in much smaller conflicts, the last major calvary charge on horseback occurred during World War II in 1942. Italians charged the Soviets along the Don River on horseback.
How many U.S. Presidents have served active duty in the Armed Forces?
Twenty-six of our 45 (44 since we count Grover Cleveland twice) Presidents served in the military. Presidential Veterans often coincided with America's military engagements. Until World War II, a majority of our presidents had served in the Army. Since then, most have served in the Navy.
What percentage of Americans age 17-23 meet the qualifications to be enlisted in the U.S. Military?
Roughly one out of four that meet the age requirement are qualified for military service. 28% is the answer.
How much land does the U.S. Department of Defense own worldwide?
Congressional Research Service
The Department of Defense owns over 29 million acres of land worldwide, which when all combined, is larger than the country of Portugal.
Which unit has more active personnel?
Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Hulme, U.S. Coast Guard
The NYPD has just under 40,000 active officers - 38,000 to be exact. Meanwhile, the USCG has about 42,000 active duty personnel (not counting reservists).
The U.S. Air Force, more specifically its contractors, studied which animal's flight aerodynamics to help create the F-117 Nighthawk?
U.S. Air Force
The nimble flight patterns and aerodynamics of the bumblebee were studied intensely to gather information in order to help engineer the F-117.
In what year did Germany make its final World War I reparation payment?
They started in 1955 after being unified, and a final installment of $94 million (US dollars) was made in October of 2010, settling German loan debts in regard to reparations.
What is the largest military base in the United States based on population?
Fort Hood is the largest military base in the United States with over 50,000 personnel. Fort Hood is located in Killeen, Texas.
Veteran's Day was originally called what?
Commemorated in many countries as Armistice Day, November 11th became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day.
Which plane is the largest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory?
Brett Snow, U.S. Air Force
Technically, it's the C-5M Super Galaxy. TManufactured by Lockheed Martin, it's the biggest military transport aircraft used by the US Air Force. It is an improved version of the C-5 Galaxy strategic airlifter and can take-off with a maximum weight of 381 tons.
The U.S. Naval Academy is located in which state?
Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad Runge, U.S. Navy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy adjacent to Annapolis, Maryland.
What is the nickname given to the Joint Strike Fighter jet enlisted by the Air Force, Navy and Marines?
U.S. Air Force
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engined, all-weather stealth multirole fighters. The fifth-generation combat aircraft is designed to perform ground-attack and air-superiority missions.
Which American-made fighter jet can not be sold to anyone, or any nation, but the U.S. Air Force?
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force.
When did the United States army begin wearing camouflaged uniforms?
U.S. Army
The US Military wore blue until shortly after the Spanish-American War in 1898, when it adopted khaki uniforms. The use of camouflage colored uniforms began during WWII, and was originally designed by artists. Today, computer generated, pixilated camouflage is used.
How much does a military grade HUMVEE cost?
Senior Airman Dennis Sloan, U.S. Air Force
The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, pronounced: Humvee) is a family of light, four-wheel drive, military trucks and utility vehicles produced by AM General.
Over 400,000 deceased active-duty U.S. soldiers, as well as the 'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier', are located in which place?
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, is the final resting place for more than 400,000 US active duty veterans. It is also home to "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," which holds the remains of unidentified US Military soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
What is the oldest (longest-running) active-duty infantry unit in the U.S. Army?
The White House
Also known as "The Old Guard," The 3rd US Infantry Regiment is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the army. Beginning in 1784, the infantry is an official ceremonial unit and escort to the president of the United States. Also, it's in charge of the "Changing of the Guard Ceremony" at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
How many Military Working Dogs have served in the U.S. Armed Forces?
Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall, U.S. Army
Currently, the U.S. Military has deployed over 2,500 Military Working Dogs (MWDs) worldwide. In the five years between 2005 and 2010 in Iraq and Afghanistan, MWDs found 12,500 lbs of explosives.
What was the U.S. Department of Defense budget in 2015?
The budget for the Department of Defense was over $600 billion in 2015, which is the largest military budget in the world. China has the second largest at $216 billion, and Russia is third at $84.5 billion.
True or False: The helmet for an F-35 pilot costs more than one military-grade HUMVEE?
R. Nial Bradshaw, U.S. Air Force
It shouldn’t shock anyone that the most advanced helmet in human history is also the most expensive. More than four times more expensive than its predecessors’, and almost twice the cost of a HUMVEE, the F-35 helmet costs a hefty $400,000.
Which two National Football League (NFL) teams merged into one team during the 1943 season because most, if not all, players were fighting in World War II?
The Cleveland Rams had lost the majority of their team and suspended their season, leaving an uneven number of teams in the League. That’s when two rivals were combined to make a new team – the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles formed “The Steagles”. The roster consisted mainly of military draft rejects and many faced ridicule for not serving his country. But, in the end they had a winning season and game attendance was at an all time high.
What is the fastest fighter jet currently in service with the U.S. Air Force?
Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald, U.S. Air Force
The F-15 is still available and in service after undergoing major upgrades in 2008 and 2009. At high altitude, it can travel at an amazing Mach 2.5 and still maintain a combat effective range of 1,222 miles.
Before flying a mission, U-2 Dragon Lady (high-altitude surveillance aircraft) pilots lay down for one hour do something specific. What is it?
Every pilot lies down to breath pure oxygen for at least an hour before the flight. Nitrogen bubbles form in the bloodstream because of the altitude if the cockpit/suit isn’t pressurized properly. The fallout from that is potentially disastrous, effecting the spinal cord and nervous system or even boiling the blood of the pilot – killing him/her.
Which nation, unknowingly, assisted in the creation of the SR-71 Blackbird for the U.S. Air Force and NASA?
NASA
The specific ore, utile ore, used to create titanium is found in few parts of the world. It’s a sandy soil that’s difficult to locate. One of the largest supplies is in Russia. The U.S. purchased much of the ore used to produce the SR-71 airframe from Russia through foreign countries and third party companies.
Which cultural event sparked a sharp increase in enlisted service members for the U.S. Navy?
U.S. Navy
After the release of the Top Gun movie in 1986, the US Navy stated that the number of young men who wanted to become Naval Aviators went up by 500 percent.
The United States President flies on an aircraft named "Air Force One". Which type of plane is that?
Air Force One refers to one of two highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, which carry the tail codes 28000 and 29000. The Air Force designation for the aircraft is VC-25A.
The premier battle tank of the U.S. Army, the M1 Abrams, weighs how much?
Senior Airman Leon Bussey, U.S. Air Force
Weighing nearly 68 short tons (almost 62 metric tons), it is one of the heaviest main battle tanks in service. The M1 Abrams entered U.S. service in 1980, ultimately replacing the M60 tank. 62 tons is roughly 125,000 pounds.
Which of the following military aircraft can a civilian own?
U.S. Heritage Flight Program
The P-51 has recently become a highly sought after warbird with complete, historically accurate restoration becoming an industry of its own. These restored Mustangs can fetch upwards of $1 million on the aviation market.