All five U.S. military Service branches subscribe to the core features of the military ethos as described in this course. To support their unique missions and traditions, each Service branch goes beyond these generic military values and guiding ideals to define its own Service-specific ethos.

People choose to join the different Services for different reasons. When they join, they end up adopting a slightly different ethos that contributes to inter-Service rivalry. As you listen to Service members talk about each branch of service, notice the distinctions made as well as the pride in being a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, or Coast Guardsman.

Using the iceberg metaphor, you will note that at the waterline, in the translation between the unspoken or difficult to articulate and the clear expression of military culture above the waterline, is where you find the Service creeds, core values and mottos (and even advertising slogans such as Army of One and the Navy’s Global Force for Good).