This week is Armed Forces Week, and in honor of our men and women in uniform, we’d like to take a quick glance at each armed service.
United States Army
- Active Duty personnel: 546,047
- Reserve personnel: 559,244
- Year founded: 1775
- Motto: “This We’ll Defend”
- Official song: “The Army Goes Rolling Along”
- Official colors: Black and gold
- Chief of Staff: General Raymond T. Odierno
Famous mascot of the Army: Mr. Jackson, the first of the “Mule Corps” of official U.S. Army mascot mules, served from 1936 to 1948.
United States Air Force
- Active Duty personnel: 332,854
- Reserve personnel: 71,400
- Year founded: 1947
- Motto: “Aim High … Fly-Fight-Win”
- Official song: “The U.S. Air Force”
- Official colors: Ultramarine blue and yellow
- Chief of Staff: General Mark A. Walsh III
Famous mascot of the Air Force: Always a falcon, and known simply as “The Bird”.
United States Navy
- Active Duty personnel: 323,561
- Reserve personnel: 109,117
- Year founded: 1775
- Motto: “Non sibi sed patriae”, Translation: “Not for self, but for country”
- Official song: “Anchors Aweigh”
- Official colors: Blue and gold
- Chief of Naval Operations: Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert
Famous mascot of the Navy: Always a male goat, usually with a bad temper, and always named “Bill the Goat”.
United States Marine Corps
- Active Duty personnel: 195,000 active
- Reserve personnel: 40,000
- Year founded: 1775
- Motto: “Semper Fidelis” Translation: “Always Faithful”
- Official song: “The Marine’s Hymn”
- Official colors: Scarlet and gold
- Commandant: General James A. Amos
Famous mascot of the Marine Corps: As are most Marine Corps mascots, the well-loved Sgt. Maj. Jiggs was an English bulldog, and served from 1922 to 1927.
United States Coast Guard
- Active duty personnel: 42,190
- Reserve personnel: 7,899
- Year founded: 1790
- Motto: “Semper Paratus” Translation: “Always Ready”
- Official song: “Semper Paratus”
- Official colors: White, blue and red
- Commandant: Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr.
Famous mascot of the Coast Guard: The Coast Guard cutter ship Campbell adopted a mixed-breed puppy and named him Sinbad the Dog. He grew to be one of the most famous Coast Guard mascots, and was said to be “as bad as the worst and as good as the best of us.” He served from 1938 to 1951.
RoadLoans, a brand of Santander Consumer USA, proudly supports our men and women in uniform. Santander Consumer USA hires qualified persons with veteran status, who have served at least 180 days, and either have been discharged honorably or continue to serve with a reserve unit. Take a look at the great opportunities available on our careers site.
When you are in the military, car loans can be complicated. RoadLoans offers the service and flexibility you need to get your loan, buy a car, make all payments and even make changes to your account, by phone, email or on our website. You can get outstanding service from anywhere in the world.
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