| 1994 | 1985 | % decrease | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1.6 million | 2.1 million | 24% |
| Army | 540,000 | 780,000 | 31% |
| Navy | 470,000 | 570,000 | 18% |
| Marines | 174,000 | 198,000 | 12% |
| Air Force | 426,000 | 600,000 | 29% |
Active Duty Personnel -- Current Figures
| 30 April 2002 | % decrease 1994 to 2002 | |
| Total | 1.4 million | 12% |
| Army | 481,000 | 11% |
| Navy | 381,000 | 19% |
| Marines | 172,000 | 1% |
| Air Force | 362,000 | 15% |
repeating rifle; later the machine gun
steel cannon
telegraph
balloon reconnaissance
movement of troops and supplies by rail
armored steamship
literate citizen armies
chemical explosives replace black powder
control of epidemic disease and some tropical diseases
tank and armored personnel carrier
movement of troops and supplies by road rather than rail
strategic bomber; fighter aircraft,
radar and modern anti-aircraft systems;
parachute troops and effective amphibious warfare
long-range strategic missiles (V1 and V2)
aircraft carrier
submarine
radio communication
antibiotics
nuclear weapons
helicopter (introduced in Korean War)
satellite reconnaissance
effective personal anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons
"smart" offensive weapons