How many troops are in the US military?
Updated quarterly
There were about 2.11 million troops in December 2025. This includes 1.34 million active duty troops and 770,100 reserve troops. This includes active duty troops or full-time training duty in the reserves. Reserve troops are withheld from initial action to be deployed at a later time and are subject to call to active duty.
2.11M
people in the US military (December 2025)
63%
of US troops were active duty personnel (December 2025)
The military had about 2.11 million troops in FY 2025, 9.6% fewer than the recent peak in 2010. From FY 2010 to FY 2025, the military’s size has grown or shrunk by 3% or less annually. About 63.6% of troops were active duty in FY 2025.
In FY 2025, 1.34 million troops were active duty and 766,600 were in the reserves.
Troops in the armed forces by fiscal year and by type
How many troops are there by branch?
The number of troops in each armed forces branch varies. As of December 2025, the Army had the most active duty and reserve troops of any branch: about 451,900 and 501,900, respectively. The Navy has the second-highest active duty troops level at 344,000, and the Air Force has the second-highest Reserve numbers at 170,300 troops.
The Army has the highest levels of both active duty and reserve troops.
Troops in the armed forces by type and branch, December 2025
Where are US troops based overseas?
Unlike reservists, active duty personnel are continuously engaged in full-time military service, making them the primary force deployed to maintain US military presence and operations around the world.
Data can provide insight into what unclassified locations troops are assigned to. It does not include all personnel on temporary duty or deployed in support of emergency missions.
Out of the 1.34 million active duty troops with known locations, 13.4%, or about 177,400 troops, were stationed abroad (including US territories) in December 2025. The top five countries with the highest number of stationed US troops are:
- Japan (54,300)
- Germany (36,400)
- South Korea (23,500)
- Italy (12,700)
- United Kingdom (10,400)
Out of the 177,400 troops overseas, many were in Japan and Germany as of December 2025.
Active duty troops stationed abroad, December 2025
Where are US troops based in the US?
Active-duty troops are also stationed domestically. As of December 2025, about 1.15 million troops were stationed in the US. About 49.1% of these troops are in five states:
- California (162,100)
- Virginia (123,300)
- Texas (115,100)
- North Carolina (95,400)
- Florida (67,900)
California had the most active duty troops as of December 2025, about 162,100.
Active duty troops stationed in the US, December 2025
Domestic military bases are spread across multiple states, but some states have a higher concentration of military installations due to factors including strategic location (such as along the coast), or access to resources, like power plants and critical infrastructure. For example, Virginia hosts nearly a quarter of domestic Navy members due to its proximity to major East Coast ports.
Active duty troops by location, December 2025
| 1. | Japan | 54,300 |
| 2. | Germany | 36,400 |
| 3. | South Korea | 23,500 |
| 4. | Italy | 12,700 |
| 5. | United Kingdom | 10,400 |
| 6. | Guam (US) | 7,100 |
| 7. | Spain | 3,800 |
| 8. | Bahrain | 3,300 |
| 9. | Turkey | 1,700 |
| 10. | Belgium | 1,100 |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.