Military 101: The U.S. Army

Military 101: The U.S. Army

Recon Training at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 2024. Photo credit: Sgt. Du-Marc Mills, 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

By Joe Paul, Policy Analyst

The United States Army is a core branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Army engages enemy ground forces and identifies, seizes and controls the land, resources and population of a designated adversary. The Army is split into two components: the active force and the reserve force. The Reserves consist of the United States Army Reserve and the Army National Guard.

The Army has operational and institutional missions. The operational Army is the fighting force comprised of armies, corps, divisions and more that conduct worldwide operations. The institutional Army supports the operational component by providing the infrastructure needed to raise, train, equip and otherwise ensure the Army’s readiness. The institutional Army can be divided into training and industrial bases, with the training base developing the knowledge, skills and abilities of the soldier and the industrial base providing the equipment and logistics needed.

Mission

The Army’s Mission is “to deploy, fight and win our Nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt and sustained land dominance” by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the Joint Force.   

History

The Army was established on June 14, 1775, making it older than the Declaration of Independence by more than a year. The new Continental Army drew upon the traditions of the local militia and the professional standards similar to the British Army. Following actions by the British government, especially the Coercive Acts of 1774, New England citizens attacked British forces at the Battle of Lexington and Concord. This initial militia became the basis for the modern Army.

The Second Continental Congress convened in May 1775, and on June 14, 1775, passed a resolution establishing companies of riflemen across the colonies to join existing soldiers in Boston. The following day former President George Washington was appointed commander in chief. After the Revolutionary War, the Army was reduced to one regiment consisting of eight infantry companies and two of artillery and charged with safeguarding the new nation’s military arms and stores.

The Army played a vital role in the War of 1812 with an attempt to invade Canada and later victory against the British in the Battle of New Orleans. The Army was also deployed in the Mexican American War and won decisively at Vera Cruz. The Civil War saw major technological advances in warfare from munitions to arms. The development of mechanized guns and breach loading munitions increased the ability to inflict terrible damage. Additionally, the Army was used throughout the West to force Native Americans onto reservations. The Spanish-American War, perhaps most known for former President Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders’ charge up San Juan Hill, was the last major engagement during the 1800s.

World War I saw the Army fighting alongside the British and French forces against the Imperial German and the Austro-Hungarian forces. The United States committed infantry and machine gun and artillery units to the cause. The First Army was organized and activated under General John Pershing on July 4, 1918. The U.S. forces assisted in operations up and down the lines from the Franco-Belgium border and Luxembourg to the Italian border with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

During WWII, the U.S. Army operated globally. From the front lines against Nazi Germany to the War in the Pacific and all points in-between, U.S. Army soldiers played a key role in the liberation of France, Italy, the Philippines, North Africa, and other countries.

Branches of the Army

Today, there are 17 branches of the Army. Each branch is a key component of the Total Army concept.  

  • Adjutant General (AG) — The adjutant general manages all personnel systems within the Army that impact readiness, morale and career.

  • Air Defense Artillery (ADA) — The air defense artillery protects against aircraft and missiles with systems like the Patriot anti-missile system and the Stinger.

  • Armor (AR) — The armor takes its heritage from cavalries. It performs scout and reconnaissance missions and are often leaders in areas of conflict.

  • Aviation (AV) — Aviation is, in raw numbers, the largest air force in the U.S. military. It consists of transport, scout and attack helicopters used for a wide utility of missions.

  • Chemical Corps (CM) — Chemical corps operates in the realm of logistics, training, intelligence, research and analysis of chemical threats.

  • Corps of Engineers (EN) — The Corps of Engineers provides much of the infrastructure combat, construction, topographic and civil works, as well as environmental and other engineering specialties.
  • Cyber Corps (ARCYBER) — The cyber corps this branch protects the U.S. Department of Defense networks from cyber threats, both foreign and domestic.

  • Field Artillery (FA) — Field artillery provides the support to engage an enemy at a distance with cannons, rockets, and missiles and coordinates all supporting fire including air and naval.

  • Finance (FC) — Finance controls all aspects of pay, allowances, accounting and contracting.

  • Infantry (IN) — Infantry is the core of the Army’s strength. They maintain a constant state of readiness in preparation for combat across the globe.

  • Medical Services (MED) — Medical services include doctors, dentists and nurses, as well as the support personnel, facilities, supplies and administration of medical services, provided to soldiers and their families.

  • Military Intelligence (MI) — Military intelligence is a large branch which monitors and provides tactical, counterintelligence, signals and electronic security, surveillance, and aerial reconnaissance.
  • Military Police (MP) — Military police are specialists in protecting “rear area” assets, which are those farthest from conflict, as well law enforcement, criminal investigations, counterterrorism, physical security and corrections.

  • Ordnance (OD) — This branch develops, produces or acquires, along with supporting, the Army’s weapon systems, ammunitions, missiles and wheeled and tracked vehicles.

  • Quartermaster (QM) — The quartermaster plans and directs all resources providing food, water, petroleum, repair parts, weapon systems and other services such as laundry, telephone and mail.

  • Signal (SC) — The signal corps maintains and creates the communication and information technology used across the Army, including radios, cell phones, lasers and satellites.

  • Transportation (TC) — Armies must move people, weapons, equipment, and supplies across land, sea and air. The transportation corps operates all the Army’s transport systems to make sure resources are where they need to be, when they need to be there.

Each branch of the military operates its own elite forces in addition to their regular enlisted units. The special operations unit of the Army includes the Rangers, which date back to the 1700s with Robert Rogers’ Rangers. The Night Stalkers of the Special Operations Aviation Regiment run international missions from helicopters in the dark. They are aviation experts who use aircraft tactics to surprise the enemy anywhere at any time. The Green Berets, who wage and excel at guerilla war missions that can take place in any environment, are U.S. Army Special Forces.

Army aviators in helicopters take flight.
Army aviators take flight near Washington, D.C., on June 4, 2024.
Photo credit: George Markfelder, Joint Task Force — National Capital Region.
Command Structure
Chart going left to right of the U.S. Army Command Structure.

The command structure of the Army consists of teams, squads, platoons, company, battalions, brigades, divisions, corps and armies. A team is a smaller unit usually consisting of four soldiers led by a sergeant. A squad is two to three teams and is led by a staff sergeant, and a second or first lieutenant commands a platoon, which is two to three squads. A company, made up of three to four platoons, is led by a captain. Three to five companies gather to form a battalion, which are led by a lieutenant colonel. A brigade is commanded by a colonel and is made up of three or more battalions. A division consists of three brigades and is commanded by a major general. Corps are made up of as many as 40,000 soldiers led by a 3-star lieutenant general. An army is made up of multiple Corps.

Rank

The rank structure of the Army consists of enlisted personnel, warrant and commissioned officers. Enlisted ranks range from private to sergeant major. Officer ranks range from second lieutenant to general.

Enlisted Ranks:                    

  • Private (E-1)
  • Private (E-2)
  • Private First Class (E-3)
  • Corporal (E-4)
  • Sergeant (E-5)
  • Staff Sergeant (E-6)
  • Sergeant First Class (E-7)
  • Master Sergeant (E-8)
  • First Sergeant (E-8)
  • Sergeant Major (E-9)
  • Command Sergeant Major (E-9)

Officer Ranks:

  • Second Lieutenant (O-1)
  • First Lieutenant (O-2)
  • Captain (O-3)
  • Major (O-4)
  • Lieutenant Colonel (O-5)
  • Colonel (O-6)
  • Brigadier General (O-7)
  • Major General (O-8)
  • Lieutenant General (O-9)
  • General (O-10)

The highest-ranking enlisted member of the Army is Sergeant Major of the Army, while the highest-ranking officer of the Army is the General of the Army. Army soldiers can also hold rank as a warrant officer in specialties from W-1 through W-5. As highly specialized officers, warrant officers are officer-level technical specialists in a particular field that provide leadership, training and extensive knowledge to the Army in their occupational specialty. Five-star generals only exist during wartime. The last five-star general was Omar N. Bradley, who the U.S. Senate elevated, with consent, in 1950. Gen. Bradley died in 1981 and no other U.S. military officer in any branch has been promoted to 5-star since.

Functional Categories

In addition to the branches, the Army also assigns functional areas to align with branches consistent with joint doctrine. In functional areas, units are grouped and categorized by their functions to facilitate competencies required in today’s modern Army. Functional areas include:

  1. Maneuver, Fires & Effects, which brings together units with similar battlefield applications or complementary roles, such as infantry, armor, aviation, artillery, engineers, military police and others.
  2. Operations Support, which brings together military intelligence and signals which impact networks, overall intelligence and surveillance, planning, development and education.
  3. Force Sustainment, which brings together all the soldier support roles from logistics and adjutant general, to the medical, chaplain and judge advocates general.

The Art of Civility

Illinois Sen. Elgie Sims will serve as the 2025 CSG National Chair. As a public servant, Sims believes there is a responsibility to exemplify civility and decorum in political spaces, not only for the sake of effective governance but also for the democracy that the next generation will inherit.

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Military 101: Understanding Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits

Military 101: Understanding Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits

By Morgan Thomas, Policy Associate

Members of the United States Armed Forces have access to a multitude of benefits. The Veterans Benefits Administration provides VA benefits under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, some of which include retirement benefits, disability compensation, educational assistance and health care. Whether you are Active Duty or a member of the reserve component, a service member may qualify for one or more of these VA benefits.

Retirement Benefits

One of the main attractions to a career in the military is the retirement benefits. A federal retirement in the military grants you access to retirement pay, base Commissaries, Base Exchange and retired health care plans such as Tricare Prime and Tricare for Life. Any service member may retire with federal retirement benefits after completing a minimum of 20 years of Total Active Federal Military Service (TAFMS), which is used to calculate how much qualifying active-duty time a service member has accrued. An active-duty pension begins immediately after a service member retires. There are several exceptions to the 20-year rule, of which includes disability retirements or service members who qualify for early retirement under the Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERRA).

Members of the reserves and National Guard may also retire after 20 years of service. The reserve component uses a point system under the Reserve Retirement System to calculate their TAFMS time. However, a reserve pension does not typically begin until a retired service member turns 60, with the exception of prior active-duty military service.

Additionally, active-duty service members and members of the reserve component can contribute to their retirement without completing a 20-year service time commitment through the Blended Retirement System (BRS). The BRS was first introduced as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 and combines the traditional military pension plan with a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). TSP is a retirement savings plan for service members that allows them to make contributions throughout their service even if they decide not to serve for 20 years. If an individual chooses, a TSP can be rolled into another 401(k) after separating from the military. Alternatively, a service member may leave their funds in their TSP account until they are ready to retire. Service members enlisted in the armed forces after January 1, 2018, were automatically enrolled in the TSP program.

Education Benefits

In addition to retirement benefits, one of the main attractions to a career in the armed forces is VA education benefits. Some of the most notable VA education benefits are the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve and the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. Each of these education benefits offers its own unique coverage of tuition, fees, a book stipend, housing stipend, or a combination of one or more. Currently, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the only education program that can be or dependent once certain qualifications by the service member have been met. Each education benefit has its own unique set of requirements based on a member’s service component.

VA education benefits are available to active-duty service members, the National Guard and the reserves with qualifying active-duty service time. In addition to VA education benefits, National Guard members may receive up to 100% state tuition assistance for attending specific schools within a state or may be eligible for additional state education benefits.

Disability Compensation

Many service members may obtain a service-related injury while serving on active duty. Disability compensation is a monthly, tax-free benefit that is paid to Veterans who receive at least a 10% disability rating due to injuries or diseases that were incurred or aggravated while serving on active duty or active-duty training. A service member may also receive disability compensation for post-service disabilities that appear later but result from their time in service.

Members of the National Guard and the reserves may also receive VA disability compensation so long as their service-connected disability was incurred while serving on federally qualifying active-duty orders. A Guardsman may be eligible to receive state disability compensation for injuries incurred while not serving on federal orders.

Healthcare

Active – duty service members, Guardsmen, reservists, retirees and their dependents – and in some cases former spouses – are eligible to enroll in a health care program called TRICARE provides access to both civilian healthcare networks and the Military Health System (MHS), which is comprised of Department of Defense military hospitals and clinics worldwide. The program provides coverage access through authorized civilian health network providers based on region and non-authorized providers, depending on which TRICARE health plan an eligible service member has. TRICARE also offers the TRICARE Overseas Program for active – duty service members and their eligible family members who are located in geographical areas outside of the U.S.

There are also additional VA healthcare benefits aside from TRICARE such as the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). TRICARE, PCAFC, CHAMPVA and other VA healthcare programs are available to eligible service members and their families in both the active duty and reserve components. 

Additional Benefits

The VA also offers additional benefits such as VA home loans and life insurance, as well as benefits specific to . All VA benefit programs have their own unique eligibility requirements for active-duty service members and members of the reserve component.

Members of the National Guard may be eligible to receive some or all VA benefits based on qualifying active-duty service. For VA benefits, federal active-duty service is determined by the length of full-time active-duty service on Title 10 or Title 32 orders (link to Military 101: Orders). It is important to note that a service member may not receive access to one or more VA benefits if they receive a from any branch of service.

For more information on benefits eligibility, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits webpage.

Model Career Programs Set Kentucky Apart as Apprenticeship Ambassador

In 2022, the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education was among the inaugural selections of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative. Kentucky’s commitment to high-quality apprenticeship programs is setting a national example, with the state recognized for its innovative Tech Ready Apprentices for Careers in Kentucky (TRACK) initiative and Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

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Voter List Maintenance

Voter List Maintenance

Voter List Maintenance

By Cameron Sweeney, O’Connor Scholar

Having accurate and up-to-date voter registration lists is crucial to running elections in the United States, and with the ever-changing status of voters across the country, doing so is no easy task. More than 40 million Americans change their addresses every year. People move, become eligible to vote or lose their voting eligibility every day. With every change that occurs, election officials seek to keep their voter rolls up to date. Accurate voter rolls help reduce voting lines, decrease the number of provisional ballots cast and help ensure that only eligible electors can cast a ballot. The process of updating voter rolls is known as voter list maintenance, two major pieces of federal legislation, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the Help America Vote Act of 2002, set the regulatory framework for how this system works.

Federal Legislation and Voter List Maintenance

The National Voter Registration Act, or NVRA, limits when list maintenance verification activities can happen and specifies the reasons a state may remove a voter from the roles. Some reasons for removal include a felony conviction, mental incapacity, the voter’s request or because a voter no longer lives in the jurisdiction. The NVRA prohibited states from removing a voter from the registration rolls solely for failing to vote in an election. The law broaden opportunities for voter registration, requiring states to offer voter registration at driver’s license bureaus and other state agencies.

The Help America Vote Act, or HAVA, requires states to develop a digitized list for voter registration and coordinate with correctional and other state departments to maintain that list. HAVA also modified the NVRA, allowing states to remove voters who fail to vote in two consecutive general elections for federal office (this equates to approximately 4 years) and those who fail to respond to an address confirmation mailer.

Together, these two pieces of legislation only offer a framework for states, which gives them freedom to govern the voter list maintenance process. As a result, many nuances and difficulties arise as election officials update their voter rolls, especially when people move within a state and when states allow for same-day registration.

Voter List Maintenance Procedures Across the States

In states with same-day registration, such as Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming, voter rolls are actively changing as elections are being held. In other states, such as Indiana, Missouri and Virginia, citizens are allowed to register and vote at a new precinct on election day when they move residences within a state so long as they’re already registered to vote in that state. In states where registration is continuously updated, it can be near impossible to maintain a completely accurate voter roll. According to Remi Garza, the elections administrator of Cameron County, Texas, voter list maintenance is crucial and constant.

“Voter list maintenance is extremely important and is a perpetual process,” said Garza. “The belief that it can ever be finished is false. As soon as election officials update the rolls, someone has moved, someone has died, or someone new registers to vote.”

States differ in their approach to removing voters from rolls due to inactivity. While in most states, a lack of voting-related activity does not trigger removal from the rolls, this is not universal. In Idaho, Minnesota and New Hampshire, among others, the removal process is automatically triggered after four years of inactivity. In Wyoming, the removal process starts after failing to vote in just one general election. For most of these states, a non-voter is sent a mailer to confirm their intention to remain  an active voter. Failure to respond to this notice may cause their voter registration to be purged.

While some states share similarities, the process of voter list maintenance varies widely from state to state, as does the entity in charge of voter list maintenance s. Some states only authorize local election officials to add and remove names from voter lists, while others solely rely upon state-level officials. Several states utilize a mix of both local and state-level officials. According to the Election Administration and Voting Survey, 35 states, including California, Missouri, Nevada and New Mexico, only authorize local election officials to add and remove names from voter lists. In Alaska, Georgia  Massachusetts and other states, voter list maintenance is conducted solely at the state level. Hybrid systems are used in 13 states, including Arizona, Florida, Idaho and Maine.

Inter-State Cooperation

Lack of information sharing across states can further complicate voter list maintenance procedures. States do not automatically share or cross-check voter registration information with one another, and no federal legislation requires interstate cooperation. Election Registration Information Center (ERIC) is a nonprofit made up of 24 states and the District of Columbia aimed at addressing this gap by allowing states to compare voter list data, data on address changes and death records to help keep voter rolls more accurate and up to date. Many states also utilize the U.S. Postal Service’s National Change of Address data and death records from the Social Security Administration to maintain voter lists.

When it comes to removing the deceased from voter rolls, tracking felony convictions (which disqualifies a person from voting in some states), identifying potential noncitizens for voter registration list maintenance and tracking interstate address changes, each state has a different approach and methodology for trying to keep up with the constantly changing status of voters across the country. While these differing approaches can spur fierce debates, voter list maintenance remains a crucial role in the running of secure and efficient elections.

Military 101: The U.S. Marine Corps

Military 101: The U.S. Marine Corps

15th MEU Marines hit sand running in Kuwait [Image 3 of 5] KUWAIT 08.17.2015 Photo by Cpl. Elize McKelvey 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

By Joe Paul, Policy Analyst

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces operating under the Department of the Navy. Overall, the Marine’s mission is to provide power projection from the sea by utilizing the U.S. Navy’s resources to rapidly deliver multi-skilled forces and strategies. The Marine Corps works with the Navy, Army, Air Force and other branches. The Marine Corps is known for its focus on expeditionary warfare and the ability to quickly respond to crises around the world. The mission of the Marine Corps can be summarized by its motto: “Semper Fidelis,” meaning “Always Faithful.”

History

The Marines were formed on Nov. 10, 1775, during the American Revolutionary War. Originally established as the Continental Marines to serve aboard naval vessels, the Marines have since evolved into a versatile and elite fighting force. Throughout their history, the Marines engaged in numerous conflicts and operations, playing a pivotal role in defending the nation’s interests at home and abroad, including raids on the Bahamas and Nova Scotia during the Revolutionary War and alongside French troops in the war against the Barbary States.

The Marine Corps was instrumental in the Mexican-American War, including the battle of Chapultepec which inspired the Marine Corps Hymn “The Halls of Montezuma.” During the Mexican-American War, the Marines earned the name “leatherneck” for the thick leather collars they wore to ward off saber blows.

In World War I, Marines fought in significant battles like Belleau Wood in France, earning them the nickname “Devil Dogs” from German forces. In later conflicts Marines continued to be known for their success in harsh conditions. This includes the battles of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Iwo Jima and Okinawa in World War II, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during and in major battles like Hue City and Khe Sanh during the Vietnam War.

After the Vietnam war, the Marines adapted and modernized to the changing military landscape by participating in peacekeeping missions and the Gulf War of 1990-1991. Following 9/11, the Marines conducted combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with training local security forces.

Marine Corps Key Sectors

Infantry: As the backbone of the Marines, infantry units engage enemy forces on the ground. They may operate in various physical environments. Marines are trained and equipped for ground combat operations, including riflemen, machine gunners, mortarmen and anti-tank missilemen.

Aviation: The Marines operate a wide range of aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, transport planes and unmanned aerial vehicles. Aviation units provide close air support, transport, reconnaissance and other services to support ground forces. Aviation roles include pilots, aircrew, maintenance personnel and support staff.

Logistics: Logistics units supply and sustain Marine Corps operations around the world. This includes transportation, supply chain management, maintenance and other logistical support functions. These units provide supplies, transportation, maintenance and other logistical support to units in the field.

Armor and Artillery: The Marines’ armor and artillery units provide firepower and support to ground forces. This includes tanks, artillery guns and other heavy weapons systems used to suppress enemy positions. The unit also provides fire support to infantry units including cannons, rockets and missiles.

Special Operations: The Marines have special operations forces, including Marine Raiders and Force Reconnaissance units, which are trained to conduct missions including direct action, special reconnaissance and unconventional warfare. This includes Marines trained in gathering, analyzing and disseminating intelligence to support decision-making.

Other units include engineering and communications. Overall, the Marines are a versatile force capable of operating in diverse environments and conducting a wide range of missions to protect and advance national interests.

Command Structure

The command structure of the Marines is like the Army’s, with teams, squadrons, platoons, company, battalions, regiments and divisions. Generally, it follows the “rule of three,” meaning there are three lower units within each of the next larger units. Teams consist of three Marines with a corporal as team leader. A squad consists of nine Marines with a sergeant as the squad lead. Platoons consist of 27 Marines with a lieutenant in command. Divisions consist of 6,561 Marines and are commanded by a major general.

Rank

Again, the rank structure of the Marine Corps mirrors the Army’s as they both have enlisted personnel and commissioned officers. Enlisted ranks range from private to sergeant, while officer ranks range from second lieutenant to general. Marine Corps ranks also include the unique title of “marine gunner,” which is a warrant officer ran

Enlisted Ranks

Officer Ranks:

Private (E-1)  

Private First Class (E-2)

Lance Corporal (E-3) 

Corporal (E-4)

Sergeant (E-5)

Staff Sergeant (E-6)

Gunnery Sergeant (E-7)

Master Sergeant (E-8)

First Sergeant (E-8)   

Sergeant Major (E-9) 

Second Lieutenant (O-1)

First Lieutenant (O-2)

Captain (O-3)

Major (O-4)

Lieutenant Colonel (O-5)

Colonel (O-6)                                                 

Brigadier General (O-7)

Major General (O-8)

Lieutenant General (O-9)

General (O-10)

The highest-ranking enlisted member of the Marine Corps is sergeant major. The highest-ranking officer is the commandant of the Marine Corps. Marines can also hold rank as a warrant officer in specialties from W-1 through W-5. Warrant officers are officer-level technical specialists in a particular field that provide leadership, training and extensive knowledge to the Marines in their occupational specialty. Five-star generals only exist during times of war.

The Roles of the Marine Corps

The Marines are a rapid-response force capable of a wide range of military operations. It’s website states “the mastery of the (sic) evolution in warfare is what allows (the Marines) to punch above their weight class. It is what keeps the U.S. Marine Corps, a small but effectively lethal service, respected by our allies and feared by enemies around the globe.”

The primary, yet evolving roles of the Marines include:

  • Amphibious operations: The Marines conduct amphibious assaults with naval vessels and aircraft to project power ashore from the sea.
  • Combat operations: The Marines form highly trained units equipped to engage in ground combat operations that neutralize enemy forces, seize and hold territory to further tactical, and strategic objectives.
  • Force projection: The Marine Corps strategically maintains forward deployed units. These units respond to military contingencies and crises, like natural disasters, at short notice. These units support allies, deter threats and conduct special operations in support of national objectives.
  • Security operations: The Marines provide security for military installations, diplomatic facilities and other strategic installations. They also promote stability in conflict areas by performing operations for peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.

For administrative purposes, The Marines are divided into four groups:

  • Operating forces — the fighting force.
  • Headquarters — Marine leadership.
  • Support — Logistical support.
  • Marine Corps Reserve — Civilian reinforcements ready to support the Marines in major combat, humanitarian and emergency operations.

"Marines, war is evolving – but that is nothing new. We evolve our equipment, training, and tactics to stay ahead of our adversaries. This evolution may change the shape of our formations or the technology we fight with, but it will never change the fundamental nature of our Marine Corps, nor the significance of each Marine. We have adapted alongside the changing character of war for centuries – we are still on top, and we will stay there."

Eric M. Smith, General USMC Commandant of the Marine Corps

State and Local Organizations Unite in Support of the Second Chance Reauthorization Act

The Council of State Governments (CSG), alongside the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, signed a joint letter urging Congress to reauthorize the Second Chance Act (SCA). This bipartisan legislation strengthens and expands reentry programs, offering essential services like career training, housing, childcare, and treatment for individuals with behavioral health and substance use disorders.

In the letter, House and Senate judiciary committee leaders are encouraged to move forward with this vital legislation that empowers individuals, families and communities with resources to support the successful reintegration of those reentering society after incarceration.

The reauthorization legislation was introduced in the Senate on June 5 (S. 4477), led by Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Cory Booker, John Cornyn, Dick Durbin, Thom Tillis, Peter Welch, Kevin Cramer, and Amy Klobuchar. It was introduced in the House in April (H.R. 8028) by Representatives Carol Miller, Danny Davis, Kelly Armstrong, Sheila Jackson Lee, Bruce Westerman, Bobby Scott, Jerry Nadler, Mike Turner and Darin LaHood.

“The Second Chance Reauthorization Act represents a critical investment in our communities, empowering states and local governments to create pathways to rehabilitation and reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals. It enables states to implement innovative programs that reduce recidivism rates and promote successful transitions, ultimately benefiting public safety.”
— Jay Nelson, National Director of Federal Affairs, The Council of State Governments

Since its inception in 2008, the Second Chance Act has supported reentry services for over 442,000 individuals. With more than 600,000 individuals returning home from prison each year, along with countless others exiting local jails, SCA programs are crucial in promoting public safety and reducing recidivism.

Reauthorizing the Second Chance Act will sustain essential programs to:

  • Reauthorize key grant programs providing critical services for individuals reentering their communities post-incarceration.
  • Expand resources for supportive and transitional housing services.
  • Enhance addiction treatment services to include peer recovery, case management, and overdose prevention.

For more details on the Second Chance Reauthorization Act, visit here.

Provisional Ballots MythBusters

Provisional Ballots MythBusters

Dispelling myths surrounding provisional ballots in elections

By Morgan Thomas, Policy Associate

What are Provisional Ballots?

A provisional ballot, also known as a challenge or affidavit ballot, is a fail-safe method for states to ensure that all eligible voters are given the chance to cast a ballot. When an individual’s eligibility to vote is uncertain on Election Day, an election official will ask them to cast a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot is then stored separately from other ballots and only counted once a voter’s eligibility has been verified by election officials.

The Help America Vote Act of 2002, commonly referred to as HAVA, requires states to offer provisional ballots on Election Day. As of February 2024, provisional ballots are offered in every state except Idaho, Minnesota and New Hampshire. However, these three states offer same-day voter registration where a qualified elector can register to vote and cast a ballot on Election Day. This has essentially eliminated a need for provisional ballots in those states.

In 2016, more than 2.4 million provisional ballots were cast nationwide. Given that a provisional ballot is reviewed in order to validate the voter’s eligibility, they often take more time to count. This can lead to votes still being tallied after Election Day. Confusion surrounding changes in post-election vote tallies spurs misinformation regarding provisional ballots and lead to allegations of voter fraud.

With a rise in misinformation and disinformation surrounding elections, it is critical to address myths and rumors with the facts. Falsehoods regarding the integrity of provisional ballots can undermine elections, lead to lower voter turnout and fuel mistrust in election officials. This article seeks to dispel some of the common myths about the use of provisional ballots in elections.

Rumor: Provisional ballots are only counted if a race is close.

 

Reality: Provisional ballots are counted in every election regardless of the margin of victory.

Validly cast provisional ballots are counted in every election regardless of a candidate’s margin of victory. Under HAVA, states are required to inform voters if their ballot was counted or rejected and why. Although the timeframe for verifying provisional ballots varies by state, all provisional ballots are reviewed and either counted or rejected before the state’s deadline for certifying the results of an election. Provisional ballots are also included in the official tallies of any election recount.  

Rumor: Election officials fail to announce results on election night because they are meddling with the election process.

 

Reality: Election officials may not announce results on election night because absentee and provisional ballots are still being counted in the days following Election Day.

Election officials may be unable to announce election results on election night because provisional and absentee ballots are often still being counted. This process takes time and is intended to ensure that only validly cast ballots are counted. Election results may be delayed not due to any “meddling,” but due to the time it takes for election officials to ensure the results are correct.

Provisional ballots can take multiple days after Election Day to be counted due to the large quantity of provisional ballots cast and the time it takes to verify a voter’s eligibility. In 2020, over 1.3 million provisional ballots were cast nationwide. For each of these ballots, an election worker must verify the identity and eligibility of the voter. Only once this has been done can the ballot be counted and included in the final tally.

Federal law requires most states to allow voters to cast a provisional ballot; however, each state sets its own standards, guidelines and timelines for processing these ballots. In Hawaii, election officials have up to 20 days following an election to process provisional ballots. However, in Alabama, this process must be completed by noon on the seventh day after Election Day. It is not only normal, but administratively necessary, for states to have different timelines for announcing election results.

Regardless of each state’s timeline, finalizing an accurate tally of votes often cannot be done within the confines of election night. Trying to rush this delicate process can lead to inaccurate election results and increase partisan conflict. 

Rumor: Provisional ballots allow ineligible voters to vote.

 

Reality: Provisional ballots are only counted once a voter’s eligibility has been confirmed.

Provisional ballots are not a means for ineligible voters to cast a ballot, but instead ensure that only the ballots of eligible voters are counted. Provisional ballots are only issued if a voter’s eligibility cannot be determined on Election Day. Eligibility criteria are defined in each state’s statutes, along with explicit procedures for verifying an individual’s eligibility.  

In addition to eligibility criteria and verification processes, states specify circumstances under which a voter can cast a provisional ballot. These circumstances include an administrative error in a voter’s registration record and the inability of a voter to verify their identity when they appear to cast a ballot on Election Day, among others. More information regarding why a voter may be issued a provisional ballot can be accessed at Provisional Ballots 101.

All provisional ballots that are cast on Election Day are set aside and individually evaluated to determine whether if the voter in question is eligible to vote in that jurisdiction. Only after it has been determined that the voter was registered or is eligible to be registered in that jurisdiction and has not cast another ballot at another polling place, is the ballot counted. If a voter’s eligibility cannot be determined or the voter is found ineligible to vote in that jurisdiction, the provisional ballot is rejected and the voter is notified. 

Once the voter has been informed that their ballot has been rejected, they have a set amount of time to cure their ballot. Each state has a unique provisional ballot cure process. Generally, a state Canvassing Board, Board of Elections or equivalent will examine the information on the provisional ballot and any evidence presented by the voter, the challenger, or the election official to determine the voter’s eligibility. If the voter’s eligibility cannot be confirmed or the Canvassing Board finds the voter ineligible, the provisional ballot will not be counted. The provisional ballot will only be counted once a voter’s identity has been confirmed and the voter was determined eligible by election officials.

Understanding your state’s election laws and processes is critical to identifying false rumors regarding elections. Be sure to reference your state’s election page for more details on the provisional ballot process, timeline and other voting information. To learn more about the facts behind other election rumors, visit Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Election Security Rumor vs. Reality.