Special Report

Yearly U.S. Military Personnel Numbers Following the End of the Korean War

24/7 Wall St. Staff

Published: December 16, 2023 12:33 pm

The U.S. military of today is noticeably different than what it once was. It is not only more diverse, both ethnically and racially, but since the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act was signed in 1948, there is also a higher number of females, both enlisted and officers. But has this increased the number of U.S. military personnel following the end of the Korean War? In terms of active duty service personnel, the U.S. military of today is smaller than it once was.

Typically, major military engagements often see a swell in the ranks of the U.S. military. Similarly, the end of these conflicts brings about a reduction in active-duty military personnel. The evolving scale of the U.S. military reflects shifts in geopolitical dynamics, budgetary constraints, and recruitment hurdles. The interplay of these factors has culminated in a reduction of active-duty personnel spanning decades.

The size of the U.S. military has undergone many changes, though they continue to retain its status as a global military powerhouse since the conclusion of World War II. Beginning in the mid-1950s, the count of active-duty individuals in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps has vacillated between peaks of 3.5 million and troughs of 1.1 million. (These are the largest U.S. Military bases.)

24/7 Wall St. identified the size of the U.S. military every year since 1954 by using data from the Department of Defense. The U.S. military has exceeded 3 million troops only six times over the past 69 years. Following the Korean War’s end in 1954, active-duty service members numbered 3.3 million, a figure that contracted by 11% in the ensuing year and persisted in decline for the next half-decade. Troop levels did not top 3 million again until the escalation of the Vietnam War in 1966 – and have not reached 2 million since the Cold War’s conclusion. (Here is a look at history’s largest tank battles.) 

The military’s size in more recent times has been affected by budgetary considerations and technological progress. Costs inevitably escalate as military technology advances. In the early 1940s, outfitting an Army rifleman incurred a cost of roughly $2,600 (adjusted for inflation). By 2012, these expenses surged to $20,000 and have continued to rise. According to the DoD, the deployment of more advanced – albeit more costly – equipment has offset reductions in troop numbers while upholding combat capabilities. (Here is a look at what the U.S. spends on the military every year.)

Here are the yearly US military personnel numbers following the end of the Korean War.

1954 (Cold War)

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total active-duty military personnel: 3,302,104; 4th most in the last 69 yrs.
• Army: 1,404,598; 4th most
• Navy: 725,720; 5th most
• Marine Corps: 223,868; 6th most
• Air Force: 947,918; 2nd most

1955 (Cold War)

Source: Archive Photos / Archive Photos via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,935,107; 7th most in the last 69 yrs. (-11.1% from previous year)
• Army: 1,109,296; 8th most (-21.0% from previous year)
• Navy: 660,695; 13th most (-9.0% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 205,170; 8th most (-8.4% from previous year)
• Air Force: 959,946; the most (+1.3% from previous year)

1956 (Cold War)

Canadair... (CC BY 3.0) by RuthAS

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,806,441; 9th most in the last 69 yrs. (-4.4% from previous year)
• Army: 1,025,778; 10th most (-7.5% from previous year)
• Navy: 669,925; 9th most (+1.4% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 200,780; 13th most (-2.1% from previous year)
• Air Force: 909,958; 4th most (-5.2% from previous year)

1957 (Cold War)

Source: U.S. Army / Archive Photos via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,795,798; 10th most in the last 69 yrs. (-0.4% from previous year)
• Army: 997,994; 11th most (-2.7% from previous year)
• Navy: 677,108; 7th most (+1.1% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 200,861; 12th most (unchanged from previous year)
• Air Force: 919,835; 3rd most (+1.1% from previous year)

1958 (Cold War)

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,600,581; 15th most in the last 69 yrs. (-7.0% from previous year)
• Army: 898,925; 15th most (-9.9% from previous year)
• Navy: 641,005; 14th most (-5.3% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 189,495; 39th most (-5.7% from previous year)
• Air Force: 871,156; 9th most (-5.3% from previous year)

1959 (Cold War)

Source: nasacommons / Flickr

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,504,310; 16th most in the last 69 yrs. (-3.7% from previous year)
• Army: 861,964; 17th most (-4.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 626,340; 16th most (-2.3% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 175,571; 55th most (-7.3% from previous year)
• Air Force: 840,435; 13th most (-3.5% from previous year)

1960 (Cold War)

Source: Archive Photos / Archive Photos via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,476,435; 18th most in the last 69 yrs. (-1.1% from previous year)
• Army: 873,078; 16th most (+1.3% from previous year)
• Navy: 617,984; 18th most (-1.3% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 170,621; 65th most (-2.8% from previous year)
• Air Force: 814,752; 16th most (-3.1% from previous year)

1961 (Cold War)

Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,483,771; 17th most in the last 69 yrs. (+0.3% from previous year)
• Army: 858,622; 18th most (-1.7% from previous year)
• Navy: 627,089; 15th most (+1.5% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 176,909; 54th most (+3.7% from previous year)
• Air Force: 821,151; 15th most (+0.8% from previous year)

1962 (Cold War)

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,807,819; 8th most in the last 69 yrs. (+13.0% from previous year)
• Army: 1,066,404; 9th most (+24.2% from previous year)
• Navy: 666,428; 11th most (+6.3% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 190,962; 33rd most (+7.9% from previous year)
• Air Force: 884,025; 8th most (+7.7% from previous year)

1963 (Cold War)

Source: Harry Benson / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,699,677; 12th most in the last 69 yrs. (-3.9% from previous year)
• Army: 975,916; 12th most (-8.5% from previous year)
• Navy: 664,647; 12th most (-0.3% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 189,683; 38th most (-0.7% from previous year)
• Air Force: 869,431; 10th most (-1.7% from previous year)

1964 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,687,409; 13th most in the last 69 yrs. (-0.5% from previous year)
• Army: 973,238; 13th most (-0.3% from previous year)
• Navy: 667,596; 10th most (+0.4% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 189,777; 37th most (unchanged from previous year)
• Air Force: 856,798; 12th most (-1.5% from previous year)

1965 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,655,389; 14th most in the last 69 yrs. (-1.2% from previous year)
• Army: 969,066; 14th most (-0.4% from previous year)
• Navy: 671,448; 8th most (+0.6% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 190,213; 36th most (+0.2% from previous year)
• Air Force: 824,662; 14th most (-3.8% from previous year)

1966 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 3,094,058; 5th most in the last 69 yrs. (+16.5% from previous year)
• Army: 1,199,784; 6th most (+23.8% from previous year)
• Navy: 745,205; 4th most (+11.0% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 261,716; 4th most (+37.6% from previous year)
• Air Force: 887,353; 7th most (+7.6% from previous year)

1967 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total active-duty military personnel: 3,376,880; 3rd most in the last 69 yrs. (+9.1% from previous year)
• Army: 1,442,498; 3rd most (+20.2% from previous year)
• Navy: 751,619; 3rd most (+0.9% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 285,269; 3rd most (+9.0% from previous year)
• Air Force: 897,494; 6th most (+1.1% from previous year)

1968 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Source: Terry Fincher / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 3,547,902; the most in the last 69 yrs. (+5.1% from previous year)
• Army: 1,570,343; the most (+8.9% from previous year)
• Navy: 765,457; 2nd most (+1.8% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 307,252; 2nd most (+7.7% from previous year)
• Air Force: 904,850; 5th most (+0.8% from previous year)

1969 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Source: Archive Photos / Archive Photos via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 3,460,162; 2nd most in the last 69 yrs. (-2.5% from previous year)
• Army: 1,512,169; 2nd most (-3.7% from previous year)
• Navy: 775,869; the most (+1.4% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 309,771; the most (+0.8% from previous year)
• Air Force: 862,353; 11th most (-4.7% from previous year)

1970 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total active-duty military personnel: 3,066,294; 6th most in the last 69 yrs. (-11.4% from previous year)
• Army: 1,322,548; 5th most (-12.5% from previous year)
• Navy: 692,660; 6th most (-10.7% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 259,737; 5th most (-16.2% from previous year)
• Air Force: 791,349; 17th most (-8.2% from previous year)

1971 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Source: Reg Lancaster / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,714,727; 11th most in the last 69 yrs. (-11.5% from previous year)
• Army: 1,123,810; 7th most (-15.0% from previous year)
• Navy: 623,248; 17th most (-10.0% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 212,369; 7th most (-18.2% from previous year)
• Air Force: 755,300; 18th most (-4.6% from previous year)

1972 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Source: Public Domain via The United States Air Force / Wikimedia Commons

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,323,079; 19th most in the last 69 yrs. (-14.4% from previous year)
• Army: 810,960; 19th most (-27.8% from previous year)
• Navy: 588,043; 21st most (-5.6% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 198,238; 17th most (-6.7% from previous year)
• Air Force: 725,838; 19th most (-3.9% from previous year)

1973 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Saigon March 29, 1973... (CC BY 2.0) by manhhai

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,252,787; 20th most in the last 69 yrs. (-3.0% from previous year)
• Army: 800,973; 20th most (-1.2% from previous year)
• Navy: 564,534; 28th most (-4.0% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 196,098; 24th most (-1.1% from previous year)
• Air Force: 691,182; 20th most (-4.8% from previous year)

1974 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,162,005; 23rd most in the last 69 yrs. (-4.0% from previous year)
• Army: 783,330; 22nd most (-2.2% from previous year)
• Navy: 545,903; 31st most (-3.3% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 188,802; 40th most (-3.7% from previous year)
• Air Force: 643,970; 21st most (-6.8% from previous year)

1975 (Cold War, Vietnam War)

Source: Public Domain via The US Navy / Wikimedia Commons

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,128,120; 28th most in the last 69 yrs. (-1.6% from previous year)
• Army: 784,333; 21st most (+0.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 535,085; 34th most (-2.0% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 195,951; 25th most (+3.8% from previous year)
• Air Force: 612,751; 22nd most (-4.8% from previous year)

1976 (Cold War)

Source: Public Domain / Flickr

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,081,910; 32nd most in the last 69 yrs. (-2.2% from previous year)
• Army: 779,417; 31st most (-0.6% from previous year)
• Navy: 524,678; 38th most (-1.9% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 192,399; 30th most (-1.8% from previous year)
• Air Force: 585,416; 28th most (-4.5% from previous year)

1977 (Cold War)

Source: Public Domain via The U.S. National Archives / Picryl

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,074,543; 33rd most in the last 69 yrs. (-0.4% from previous year)
• Army: 782,246; 23rd most (+0.4% from previous year)
• Navy: 529,895; 36th most (+1.0% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 191,707; 32nd most (-0.4% from previous year)
• Air Force: 570,695; 32nd most (-2.5% from previous year)

1978 (Cold War)

Source: David Ashdown / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,062,404; 34th most in the last 69 yrs. (-0.6% from previous year)
• Army: 771,624; 34th most (-1.4% from previous year)
• Navy: 530,253; 35th most (+0.1% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 190,815; 34th most (-0.5% from previous year)
• Air Force: 569,712; 34th most (-0.2% from previous year)

1979 (Cold War)

USS Chicago... (CC BY 3.0) by Nick Thorne

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,027,494; 37th most in the last 69 yrs. (-1.7% from previous year)
• Army: 758,852; 36th most (-1.7% from previous year)
• Navy: 523,937; 39th most (-1.2% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 185,250; 44th most (-2.9% from previous year)
• Air Force: 559,455; 35th most (-1.8% from previous year)

1980 (Cold War)

Source: Public Domain via The U.S. National Archives / Picryl

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,050,627; 35th most in the last 69 yrs. (+1.1% from previous year)
• Army: 777,036; 32nd most (+2.4% from previous year)
• Navy: 527,153; 37th most (+0.6% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 188,469; 41st most (+1.7% from previous year)
• Air Force: 557,969; 36th most (-0.3% from previous year)

1981 (Cold War)

Source: Public Domain via The U.S. National Archives / Picryl

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,082,560; 31st most in the last 69 yrs. (+1.6% from previous year)
• Army: 781,419; 24th most (+0.6% from previous year)
• Navy: 540,219; 33rd most (+2.5% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 190,620; 35th most (+1.1% from previous year)
• Air Force: 570,302; 33rd most (+2.2% from previous year)

1982 (Cold War)

Source: Public Domain via The U.S. National Archives / Picryl

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,108,612; 30th most in the last 69 yrs. (+1.3% from previous year)
• Army: 780,391; 28th most (-0.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 552,996; 30th most (+2.4% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 192,380; 31st most (+0.9% from previous year)
• Air Force: 582,845; 29th most (+2.2% from previous year)

1983 (Cold War)

Source: Public Domain via The Department of Defense / Wikimedia Commons

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,123,349; 29th most in the last 69 yrs. (+0.7% from previous year)
• Army: 779,643; 30th most (-0.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 557,573; 29th most (+0.8% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 194,089; 27th most (+0.9% from previous year)
• Air Force: 592,044; 27th most (+1.6% from previous year)

1984 (Cold War)

B47 Stratojet... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ed Uthman from Houston, TX, USA

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,138,157; 26th most in the last 69 yrs. (+0.7% from previous year)
• Army: 780,180; 29th most (+0.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 564,638; 27th most (+1.3% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 196,214; 23rd most (+1.1% from previous year)
• Air Force: 597,125; 26th most (+0.9% from previous year)

1985 (Cold War)

Source: Public Domain via The U.S. National Archives / Picryl

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,151,032; 24th most in the last 69 yrs. (+0.6% from previous year)
• Army: 780,787; 27th most (+0.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 570,705; 25th most (+1.1% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 198,025; 19th most (+0.9% from previous year)
• Air Force: 601,515; 25th most (+0.7% from previous year)

1986 (Cold War)

Source: Space Frontiers / Archive Photos via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,169,112; 22nd most in the last 69 yrs. (+0.8% from previous year)
• Army: 780,980; 25th most (unchanged from previous year)
• Navy: 581,119; 23rd most (+1.8% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 198,814; 15th most (+0.4% from previous year)
• Air Force: 608,199; 23rd most (+1.1% from previous year)

1987 (Cold War)

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,174,217; 21st most in the last 69 yrs. (+0.2% from previous year)
• Army: 780,815; 26th most (unchanged from previous year)
• Navy: 586,842; 22nd most (+1.0% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 199,525; 14th most (+0.4% from previous year)
• Air Force: 607,035; 24th most (-0.2% from previous year)

1988 (Cold War)

Source: Public Domain via Department of Defense / Wikimedia Commons

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,138,213; 25th most in the last 69 yrs. (-1.7% from previous year)
• Army: 771,847; 33rd most (-1.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 592,570; 20th most (+1.0% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 197,350; 20th most (-1.1% from previous year)
• Air Force: 576,446; 30th most (-5.0% from previous year)

1989 (Cold War)

Source: Public Domain via Department of Defense / Wikimedia Commons

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,130,229; 27th most in the last 69 yrs. (-0.4% from previous year)
• Army: 769,741; 35th most (-0.3% from previous year)
• Navy: 592,652; 19th most (unchanged from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 196,956; 21st most (-0.2% from previous year)
• Air Force: 570,880; 31st most (-1.0% from previous year)

1990 (Cold War, Gulf War)

Source: Space Frontiers / Archive Photos via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 2,043,705; 36th most in the last 69 yrs. (-4.1% from previous year)
• Army: 732,403; 37th most (-4.9% from previous year)
• Navy: 579,417; 24th most (-2.2% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 196,652; 22nd most (-0.2% from previous year)
• Air Force: 535,233; 37th most (-6.2% from previous year)

1991 (Cold War, Gulf War)

Source: DOD / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,985,555; 38th most in the last 69 yrs. (-2.8% from previous year)
• Army: 710,821; 38th most (-2.9% from previous year)
• Navy: 570,262; 26th most (-1.6% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 194,040; 28th most (-1.3% from previous year)
• Air Force: 510,432; 38th most (-4.6% from previous year)

1992

Source: Mark Lyons / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,807,177; 39th most in the last 69 yrs. (-9.0% from previous year)
• Army: 610,450; 39th most (-14.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 541,883; 32nd most (-5.0% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 184,529; 45th most (-4.9% from previous year)
• Air Force: 470,315; 39th most (-7.9% from previous year)

1993

Source: usnationalarchives / Flickr

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,704,103; 40th most in the last 69 yrs. (-5.7% from previous year)
• Army: 572,423; 40th most (-6.2% from previous year)
• Navy: 509,950; 40th most (-5.9% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 178,379; 51st most (-3.3% from previous year)
• Air Force: 444,351; 40th most (-5.5% from previous year)

1994

Source: Simon Bruty / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,610,490; 41st most in the last 69 yrs. (-5.5% from previous year)
• Army: 541,343; 46th most (-5.4% from previous year)
• Navy: 468,662; 41st most (-8.1% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 174,158; 58th most (-2.4% from previous year)
• Air Force: 426,327; 41st most (-4.1% from previous year)

1995

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,518,224; 42nd most in the last 69 yrs. (-5.7% from previous year)
• Army: 508,559; 50th most (-6.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 434,617; 42nd most (-7.3% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 174,639; (+0.3% from previous year)
• Air Force: 400,409; 42nd most (-6.1% from previous year)

1996

Source: DanielBendjy / E+ via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,471,722; 43rd most in the last 69 yrs. (-3.1% from previous year)
• Army: 491,103; 58th most (-3.4% from previous year)
• Navy: 416,735; 43rd most (-4.1% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 174,883; 56th most (+0.1% from previous year)
• Air Force: 389,001; 43rd most (-2.8% from previous year)

1997

Source: U.S. Navy / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,438,562; 44th most in the last 69 yrs. (-2.3% from previous year)
• Army: 491,707; 55th most (+0.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 395,564; 44th most (-5.1% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 173,906; 59th most (-0.6% from previous year)
• Air Force: 377,385; 44th most (-3.0% from previous year)

1998

Source: USAF / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,406,830; 51st most in the last 69 yrs. (-2.2% from previous year)
• Army: 483,880; 60th most (-1.6% from previous year)
• Navy: 382,338; 46th most (-3.3% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 173,142; 62nd most (-0.4% from previous year)
• Air Force: 367,470; 48th most (-2.6% from previous year)

1999

Source: U.S. Air Force / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,385,703; 55th most in the last 69 yrs. (-1.5% from previous year)
• Army: 479,426; 63rd most (-0.9% from previous year)
• Navy: 373,046; 51st most (-2.4% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 172,641; 64th most (-0.3% from previous year)
• Air Force: 360,590; 49th most (-1.9% from previous year)

2000

Source: U.S. Navy / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,384,338; 58th most in the last 69 yrs. (-0.1% from previous year)
• Army: 482,170; 61st most (+0.6% from previous year)
• Navy: 373,193; 50th most (unchanged from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 173,321; 61st most (+0.4% from previous year)
• Air Force: 355,654; 50th most (-1.4% from previous year)

2001 (War in Afghanistan)

Source: BWP Media / Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,385,116; 56th most in the last 69 yrs. (+0.1% from previous year)
• Army: 480,801; 62nd most (-0.3% from previous year)
• Navy: 377,810; 48th most (+1.2% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 172,934; 63rd most (-0.2% from previous year)
• Air Force: 353,571; 52nd most (-0.6% from previous year)

2002 (War in Afghanistan)

Source: Royal Navy / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,411,634; 50th most in the last 69 yrs. (+1.9% from previous year)
• Army: 486,542; 59th most (+1.2% from previous year)
• Navy: 383,108; 45th most (+1.4% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 173,733; 60th most (+0.5% from previous year)
• Air Force: 368,251; 47th most (+4.2% from previous year)

2003 (War in Afghanistan, Iraq War)

Source: Stephen Morton / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,434,377; 45th most in the last 69 yrs. (+1.6% from previous year)
• Army: 499,301; 53rd most (+2.6% from previous year)
• Navy: 382,235; 47th most (-0.2% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 177,779; 52nd most (+2.3% from previous year)
• Air Force: 375,062; 46th most (+1.8% from previous year)

2004 (War in Afghanistan, Iraq War)

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,426,836; 47th most in the last 69 yrs. (-0.5% from previous year)
• Army: 499,543; 52nd most (unchanged from previous year)
• Navy: 373,197; 49th most (-2.4% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 177,480; 53rd most (-0.2% from previous year)
• Air Force: 376,616; 45th most (+0.4% from previous year)

2005 (War in Afghanistan, Iraq War)

Source: Logan Mock-Bunting / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,389,394; 54th most in the last 69 yrs. (-2.6% from previous year)
• Army: 492,728; 54th most (-1.4% from previous year)
• Navy: 362,941; 52nd most (-2.7% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 180,029; 50th most (+1.4% from previous year)
• Air Force: 353,696; 51st most (-6.1% from previous year)

2006 (War in Afghanistan, Iraq War)

Source: Chris Hondros / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,384,968; in the last 69 yrs. (-0.3% from previous year)
• Army: 505,402; 51st most (+2.6% from previous year)
• Navy: 350,197; 53rd most (-3.5% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 180,416; 49th most (+0.2% from previous year)
• Air Force: 348,953; 53rd most (-1.3% from previous year)

2007 (War in Afghanistan, Iraq War)

Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,379,551; 59th most in the last 69 yrs. (-0.4% from previous year)
• Army: 522,017; 48th most (+3.3% from previous year)
• Navy: 337,547; 54th most (-3.6% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 186,492; 42nd most (+3.4% from previous year)
• Air Force: 333,495; 55th most (-4.4% from previous year)

2008 (War in Afghanistan, Iraq War)

Source: John Moore / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,401,757; 52nd most in the last 69 yrs. (+1.6% from previous year)
• Army: 543,645; 45th most (+4.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 332,228; 55th most (-1.6% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 198,505; 16th most (+6.4% from previous year)
• Air Force: 327,379; 59th most (-1.8% from previous year)

2009 (War in Afghanistan, Iraq War)

Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,418,542; 49th most in the last 69 yrs. (+1.2% from previous year)
• Army: 553,044; 43rd most (+1.7% from previous year)
• Navy: 329,304; (-0.9% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 202,786; 9th most (+2.2% from previous year)
• Air Force: 333,408; 56th most (+1.8% from previous year)

2010 (War in Afghanistan, Iraq War)

Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,430,985; 46th most in the last 69 yrs. (+0.9% from previous year)
• Army: 566,045; 41st most (+2.4% from previous year)
• Navy: 328,303; 58th most (-0.3% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 202,441; 10th most (-0.2% from previous year)
• Air Force: 334,196; 54th most (+0.2% from previous year)

2011 (War in Afghanistan, Iraq War)

Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,425,113; 48th most in the last 69 yrs. (-0.4% from previous year)
• Army: 565,463; 42nd most (-0.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 325,123; 61st most (-1.0% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 201,157; 11th most (-0.6% from previous year)
• Air Force: 333,370; (-0.2% from previous year)

2012 (War in Afghanistan)

Source: MivPiv / iStock via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,399,622; 53rd most in the last 69 yrs. (-1.8% from previous year)
• Army: 550,064; 44th most (-2.7% from previous year)
• Navy: 318,406; 65th most (-2.1% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 198,193; 18th most (-1.5% from previous year)
• Air Force: 332,959; 58th most (-0.1% from previous year)

2013 (War in Afghanistan)

26th MEU Force Recon Parachute... (CC BY 2.0) by DVIDSHUB

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,370,329; 60th most in the last 69 yrs. (-2.1% from previous year)
• Army: 528,070; 47th most (-4.0% from previous year)
• Navy: 319,838; 63rd most (+0.4% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 195,848; 26th most (-1.2% from previous year)
• Air Force: 326,573; 60th most (-1.9% from previous year)

2014 (War in Afghanistan)

Source: Sean Gallup / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,354,054; 61st most in the last 69 yrs. (-1.2% from previous year)
• Army: 515,888; 49th most (-2.3% from previous year)
• Navy: 319,120; 64th most (-0.2% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 192,787; 29th most (-1.6% from previous year)
• Air Force: 326,259; 61st most (-0.1% from previous year)

2015 (War in Afghanistan)

Source: Jessica McGowan / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,313,940; 63rd most in the last 69 yrs. (-3.0% from previous year)
• Army: 491,365; 56th most (-4.8% from previous year)
• Navy: 327,801; 59th most (+2.7% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 183,417; 47th most (-4.9% from previous year)
• Air Force: 311,357; 64th most (-4.6% from previous year)

2016 (War in Afghanistan)

Source: U.S. Army / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,313,940; 63rd most in the last 69 yrs. (unchanged from previous year)
• Army: 491,365; 57th most (unchanged from previous year)
• Navy: 327,801; 59th most (unchanged from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 183,417; 47th most (unchanged from previous year)
• Air Force: 311,357; 64th most (unchanged from previous year)

2017 (War in Afghanistan)

Source: Andrew Renneisen / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,307,366; 65th most in the last 69 yrs. (-0.5% from previous year)
• Army: 476,245; 64th most (-3.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 323,933; 62nd most (-1.2% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 184,401; 46th most (+0.5% from previous year)
• Air Force: 322,787; 63rd most (+3.7% from previous year)

2018 (War in Afghanistan)

Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,317,325; 62nd most in the last 69 yrs. (+0.8% from previous year)
• Army: 476,179; 65th most (unchanged from previous year)
• Navy: 329,851; 56th most (+1.8% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 185,415; 43rd most (+0.5% from previous year)
• Air Force: 325,880; 62nd most (+1.0% from previous year)

2019 (War in Afghanistan)

Helmets and body armor (CC BY 2.0) by The U.S. Army

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,137,806; 68th most in the last 69 yrs. (-13.6% from previous year)
• Army: 419,793; 68th most (-11.8% from previous year)
• Navy: 293,051; the fewest (-11.2% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 152,203; 66th most (-17.9% from previous year)
• Air Force: 272,759; the fewest (-16.3% from previous year)

2020 (War in Afghanistan)

Source: Maja Hitij / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,150,708; 67th most in the last 69 yrs. (+1.1% from previous year)
• Army: 424,224; 67th most (+1.1% from previous year)
• Navy: 299,548; 68th most (+2.2% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 151,985; 67th most (-0.1% from previous year)
• Air Force: 274,951; 67th most (+0.8% from previous year)

2021 (War in Afghanistan)

Source: Samuel Corum / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,167,781; 66th most in the last 69 yrs. (+1.5% from previous year)
• Army: 431,751; 66th most (+1.8% from previous year)
• Navy: 309,338; 66th most (+3.3% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 150,055; 68th most (-1.3% from previous year)
• Air Force: 276,637; 66th most (+0.6% from previous year)

2022

Source: Melissa Sue Gerrits / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• Total active-duty military personnel: 1,131,714; the fewest in the last 69 yrs. (-3.1% from previous year)
• Army: 410,385; the fewest (-4.9% from previous year)
• Navy: 302,827; 67th most (-2.1% from previous year)
• Marine Corps: 144,789; the fewest (-3.5% from previous year)
• Air Force: 273,713; 68th most (-1.1% from previous year)