Think About It. US Around the World. That’s us, the United States of America, with a massive presence in far flung places. How many countries on earth are hosts to our men and women of the military? My best guess was over one hundred. Those I’ve asked offered significantly lower estimates. Three bright bridge players at the table recently offered, 37, 75 and 18. Seems we assume that we were fighting for freedom in one or two countries and protecting a few that we conquered in the past because we don’t want them to get tough again. Let’s look at the numbers. While they vary depending on the source and the year, here are some of the lowest quotes.
Of approximately 1,500,000 people on active duty in the armed forces, over 150,000 are scattered to more than 150 countries. Did you even realize there were that many nations, let alone that we supported military personnel there for some reason? You may add an additional 118,966 serving in various worldwide contingency operations, whatever that means.
And where are they? Naturally we protect Japan because we have theoretically prohibited them from rearming after the Asian aggressions of WWII. Now, with China coveting Japanese islands they once owned and even building new ones, the Japanese government proposes to be better prepared to protect their interests. So in Japan we maintain a force of over 50,000 while in Germany we struggle along with barely 40,000.
Not all nations are blessed with such generous numbers. Since perhaps they didn’t ever really threaten our survival, one country has only one.That’s Suriname. Quick! Where in the world is that? And do you suppose they have a lottery for the one lonely soldier on the Virgin Islands?
The organization that helps veterans find former military companions, Vetfriends offers what they call a “FUN & ADDICTING INTERACTIVE MAP” along with the old faithful pie chart for a more graphic portrayal.
In case you missed it, we have a military presence in over 150 countries worldwide. My reason for posting this information is neither to wave the flag proudly for our world dominance nor to impune the Pentagon’s power. It is simply to help us consider our purpose in spreading so much money and might of the US Around the World. Think About It.