How Much Does the US Spend on its Military?

The United States is renowned for its military strength and significant role in maintaining global security. But this strength comes with a hefty price tag. Many people wonder, how much does the US spend on the military, and how is this funding distributed among its various branches?

This blog post will provide a detailed breakdown of the U.S. military budget, focusing on its major branches, and explain where your tax dollars are going. It’s important to note that when you see the awesome might of the U.S. military, it is you that is paying for it. This article might make you feel a lot better about how your money is being spent to defend and protect this great nation and her allies.

How Much Does the US Spend on Military?

The United States has the largest military budget in the world, far surpassing other countries. The budget for the Department of Defense in 2025 totals $850 billion. This massive allocation funds everything from personnel salaries and benefits to weapons development, training programs, research, and worldwide operations. Surprisingly, a significant portion also supports non-combat functions, such as disaster response and humanitarian assistance. Here's a breakdown of spending by the Department of Defense:

•         RDT&E: $143.2 billion is allocated for research, development, test, and evaluation. For example, think of autonomous ships, robot dogs, those sorts of things.
•          Procurement: $167.5 billion is earmarked for procurement. Service personnel need stuff in order to achieve their missions and sometimes those things are expensive. All those rounds you shoot at the range have to be bought from somewhere.
•          Military Personnel: $189 billion is proposed for active, reserve, and National Guard military personnel, which includes a 3.8 percent increase in basic pay effective January 1, 2026, according to the House Committee on Appropriations. While military service is honorable, you are entitled to pay and benefits.
•          Airpower: $61.2 billion is allocated for airpower development, modernization, and procurement. Those planes are pricey, but also state of the art.
•          Sea power: $48.1 billion is dedicated to sea power, including the construction of six battle force fleet ships. Boats aren’t cheap and our ships are the best in the world.
•          Land Power: $13.0 billion is focused on modernizing Army and Marine Corps combat equipment. There are many nearly obsolete platforms that need to be replaced with something better. 

Focus Areas

The budget prioritizes maintaining a ready and lethal joint force, with a focus on deterring threats from China and Russia. Integrated deterrence and campaigning are big parts of the fiscal 2025 budget request. Another focus is building upon the U.S. military's enduring advantages, including its most important advantage: its people.

Let's break it down by each branch to see how these funds are distributed.

How Much Does the US Spend on Military (Army)?

The U.S. Army, the largest branch of the U.S. military, received a substantial chunk of the defense budget in fiscal year 2025. With a budget allocation of approximately $185.9 billion, the Army uses these funds for various purposes, including:

• Personnel Costs: Covering the salaries, healthcare, and retirement benefits for more than 443,000 active-duty soldiers, along with their families.
• Modernization Programs: Investing in updated weaponry, tanks, and advanced combat vehicles to maintain a cutting-edge force.
• Training and Readiness: Ensuring units are prepared for deployment at a moment’s notice by funding large-scale training exercises.

These investments reflect the Army’s essential role in ground-force operations and its continued adaptability to modern threats.

The request includes approximately $3.9 billion for military construction supporting a total of 45 projects across the total Army. That includes $2.4 billion for barracks restoration, construction and sustainment, a 325 percent increase for barracks construction over last year’s request and the first time in recent history the Army has funded 100 percent of the sustainment requirement. Most importantly, the Army is making significant investments in upgrading and improving on post housing for military families.

How Much Does the US Spend on Military (Navy)?

The U.S. Navy is another critical component of the U.S. military, tasked with protecting American interests on the seas. The Department of the Navy's fiscal year 2025 budget is $257.6 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion or 0.7 percent from the 2024 budget request. Its budget supports:

• Fleet Maintenance and Expansion: With more than 290 deployable ships, Navy funds ensure vessels remain operational and capable of addressing emerging challenges like maritime piracy and territorial disputes.
• Personnel Costs: Covering more than 330,000 active-duty sailors and their families.
• Research and Development (R&D): Important for developing next-generation submarines, aircraft carriers, and unmanned maritime systems to maintain maritime dominance.

A significant portion also supports overseas operations and the management of naval bases worldwide.

How Much Does the US Spend on Military (Marines)?

The U.S. Marine Corps' budget for Fiscal Year 2025 is approximately $53.72 billion. This represents a portion of the larger Department of the Navy budget (mentioned above), which includes both the Navy and Marine Corps. The Marine Corps budget for 2025 reflects a focus on readiness and modernization, particularly through investments in Force Design initiatives. Known as a rapid-response, amphibious force, this funding supports:

• Deployment Operations: Marines are often the first to respond to crises, disasters, or combat situations.
• Equipment Enhancements: Investments focus on amphibious vehicles, tactical gear, and advanced weapons tailored for versatile operations.
• Training Programs: Preparation for both combat and humanitarian missions is a priority for the Marines.

This branch remains central to the U.S. ability to quickly project power across the globe. Marines have always been known as the first to fight.

How Much Does the US Spend on Military (Air Force)?

The Department of the Air Force's budget for 2025 is $262.6 billion. This includes $188.1 billion for the Air Force, $29.4 billion for the Space Force, $45.1 billion for pass-through funding, and $700 million for military construction. The budget aims to balance modernization efforts with readiness and quality of life for personnel. 

These funds are allocated to:

• Aircraft Development and Procurement: Investing in cutting-edge fighter jets like the F-35, bombers, cargo planes, and drones.
• Space and Cyber Operations: The Air Force also plays an essential role in these domains, funding both satellite systems and cybersecurity initiatives.
• Personnel Costs and Training: Covering active-duty Air Force members, including pilots, engineers, and other specialized personnel.

With its ability to deliver rapid and strategic responses, the Air Force is a critical part of the U.S. military infrastructure.

How Much Does the US Spend on Military (Space Force)?

The Space Force, established in 2019, is the newest military branch. The fiscal year 2025 U.S. Space Force budget request is $29.4 billion, a decrease of $0.6 billion from the fiscal year 2024 budget request. The Operation and Maintenance (O&M) budget request of $5.2 billion resources a 2 percent civilian pay raise ($9 million) and funds 81 percent of Weapon System Sustainment requirements ($1.4 billion). Given the increasing threats in space, this branch handles:

• Space Doctrine and Training Development
• Satellite Management and Defense
• Space Surveillance Systems

While it’s still in its infancy, the Space Force is pivotal as the importance of space in global security continues to grow rapidly. Simply put, the U.S. military could not function without the U.S. Space Force.

How Much Does the US Spend on Military (Coast Guard)?

While the U.S. Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime, it plays a critical defense role in wartime. The U.S. Coast Guard's budget for Fiscal Year 2025 is $13.8 billion. This is a slight increase from the $13.1 billion net total spent in Fiscal Year 2024. The budget covers various areas, including personnel, operations, acquisition of new assets, and infrastructure improvements. This funding supports:

• Maritime Law Enforcement and Border Security
• Search-and-Rescue Operations
• Cybersecurity in Maritime Systems

The Coast Guard ensures maritime safety and enforcement along American coastlines and abroad.

How Much Does the US Spend on Military (National Guard)?

The National Guard's budget for 2025 is part of the overall Department of Defense (DoD) budget, which was proposed to be $849.8 billion. The National Guard's specific budget allocation within that includes funding for personnel, operations and maintenance, military construction, and specific programs like the Counter-Drug Program and the State Partnership Program which partners state military forces that work with foreign militaries. For example, Texas Military Forces have a partnership with the Czech Republic and Chile. The state’s military forces and forces from the partner nations work and train together. National Guard funding primarily supports:

• Disaster Response and Humanitarian Aid
• Training and Equipment Modernization
• Overseas Deployments for National Security Missions

The Guard provides critical relief during hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters, as well as essential reinforcements for military campaigns abroad.

Final Thoughts on How Much Does the US Spend on Military

With a total budget exceeding $800 billion in 2025, American military spending reflects the country’s commitment to global security and defense readiness. Each branch serves unique roles, from protecting domestic interests to responding to international crises.

Understanding where and how these funds are spent sheds light on the scope and complexity of maintaining a military force as advanced and robust as that of the United States. If you're curious about how this investment shapes our modern world, it’s worth keeping an eye on military and defense policies.

Subscribe to this newsletter and stay informed.