Conventionally, war is defined as “open and declared conflict between the armed forces of two or more nations or parties.” However, the U.S. Military’s overseas engagements encompass more than just war, and their adversaries are not just other nations.

Other types of U.S. military activities include:

• Advise and assist
• Rescue operations
• Medical assistance relief
• Food & humanitarian relief
• Embassy security
• Policing in volatile areas
• Natural disaster relief
• Law enforcement
• Piracy and drug interdiction

The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the sole power to declare war and to “raise and support” an army. As commander in chief, the president can unilaterally order military action, but the War Powers Resolution of 1973 limits the length of that action and requires that the president inform Congress within 48 hours. It also gives Congress a veto mechanism that allows them to recall U.S. troops at any time.

Components of the U.S. Military

• U.S. Army
• U.S. Navy
• U.S. Marines
• U.S. Air Force
• U.S. Coast Guard

• Declaration of War - formal act by Congress that officially declares a war between the U.S. and another entity
• Combat Mission - armed fighting with enemy forces in a mission to combat or defend something
• Security Force Assistance Operations - advise and assist Mission; action to generate, employ, and sustain local, host nation, or regional security forces in support of a legitimate authority
• Casualty - a person (either civilian or military member) killed in military action; or, a military member captured, deserted, missing, disabled by injuries, disabled by psychological trauma, or killed by disease.
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - an aircraft piloted by remote control or onboard computers; a drone
• Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems - an entire drone system, including: the aircraft, the control station that operates the aircraft, and the wireless data link