Military death rate by branch. S. troops have died as part of OCO operations in Iraq, with 48% of these military deaths attributable to IEDs (and their variants). Aug 27, 2025 · This exploration examines how death rates differ among branches, the factors contributing to these variations, and the categories of fatalities in military service. Air Force generally exhibits the lowest death rate among the active duty branches of the U. military fatal casualties of the Discover which U. Electronic Records Reference Report Introduction The following tables were generated from the Vietnam Conflict Extract Data File of the Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) Extract Files, which is current as of April 29, 2008. Firstly, causation of death or injury varies, and deaths account for only a small portion of any casualty count. Rates of both battle and non-battle deaths were highest among the Marine Corps but the Army accounted for the majority of deaths in both categories (58% and 71%, respectively). The remaining 76% died during operations categorized as Non-Overseas Contingency Operations (Non-OCO). This is due to a combination of factors, including combat operations, close quarters combat, small unit operations, and limited resources. These investigations involve forensic analysis, witness interviews, and examination of medical records. To give a general picture, historically, the Army has suffered the highest number of casualties overall when compared to the other branches. World War II deaths by country World War II was the deadliest military conflict in history. The categories with the highest number of active-duty servicemember deaths were accidents, self-inflicted wounds, and illnesses or injuries. The Army’s suicide rate has risen steadily for 20 years. The Department of Defense (DoD) tracks and reports these deaths, categorizing them by cause, branch of service, and duty status. Of those who were not killed in IED related incidents, 37% died under nonhostile conditions, primarily from accidents (including loss of aircraft or ground vehicle) or as the result of self-inflicted injury. Suicide rates fluctuate from year to year. "Deaths per population" is the total number of deaths in military service, divided by the U. As a branch of the US forces, however, the Marine Corps lost the highest percentage of its own men (5. military deaths "Deaths per day" is the total number of Americans killed in military service, divided by the number of days between the commencement and end of hostilities. ^ Army Battle Casualties and Nonbattle Deaths (Statistical and Accounting Branch, Office of the Adjutant General), 1 June 1953 ^ a b c d L. Table 1 summarizes all active-duty military deaths by category from 2006 through 2021. Which Military Branch Has the Lowest Death Rate? A Definitive Analysis The U. Collier, Rebecca (2003). Their websites and publications provide detailed information on fatalities, including cause of death and branch affiliation. This data is valuable as it represents the human cost of war and identifies the great surges in casualties that occurred as early as the American Civil War, continued to rise proportionately through two Wars ranked by total number of U. About the data and findings in the Annual Report on Suicide in the Military: The Department assesses suicide rates - the number of suicide deaths per 100,000 people per year - to better understand changes or trends in suicidal behavior. military branches in 2022 ― a sobering statistic for a service that has stepped up efforts in recent years to prevent these 11. Military Casualties - Vietnam Conflict - Casualty Summary (As of February 9, 2026) The figures show that of 2100000 men and women who served in V'nam, 58,152 or 2. Finally, the risk of death or serious injury varies greatly between different military branches. military deaths each year requires a careful examination of data sources and a clear understanding of the different categories of mortality. Explore how advanced technology, safety protocols, and comprehensive training in the Air Force lead to fewer fatalities compared to the Army and Navy. fas. It includes data tables containing the number of fatalities and the number of wounded among American military personnel who served in principal wars and combat actions from 1775 to the present. [4] Deaths directly caused by the war (including military and civilian Military. How are military deaths investigated, and what are the processes for determining the cause of death? Military deaths are thoroughly investigated by specialized teams to determine the cause of death. While the Army often bears the brunt of the suicide crisis, it is a Department-wide issue. MILITARY PERSONNEL SERVING AND CASUALTIES (1775 - 1991) In conclusion, the United States Marine Corps has the highest death rate among all branches of the military. Data compiled William F. military branch has the lowest death rate and why. Each branch of the military has its own unique risks and challenges, and the death rate can vary significantly between them. [1][2][3] This represents about 3% of the estimated global population of 2. As for a general overview, historically, casualty rates can vary greatly with each conflict and also depend on one's job and deployment details. com helps millions of military-connected Americans access military and veteran benefits and news, find jobs and enjoy military discounts. The Vietnam Conflict Extract Data File of the Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) Extract Files contains records of 58,220 U. The Marine Corps had the highest rate of suicide among all the U. OCO Deaths Approximately 4,602 military personnel have died in (or as the result of) OCO operations in 28 countries and locations at sea. Each branch of the military provides different opportunities and risks. Click to read more Several factors affect death rates across the military branches. During this period, an average of 1,934 military personnel died annually-about 5 per day. Summary Data While DCAS focuses primarily on detailed U. The DoD recognizes the potential impact f the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of our Service members and families. Mental health challenges stemming from combat exposure, deployments, and transition issues contribute to these tragic statistics. Overall Deaths in Iraq Since 2006, approximately 2,187 U. The Army suffered the most casualties, 38,179 or 66% of all casualties. military branch with the highest mortality rate, encompassing both combat and non-combat related deaths, is generally considered to be the Army. military, a trend consistently observed over several decades. gov RS22452 CRS REPORT Prepared for Members and Committees FAQ 11: Where can I find accurate statistics on military deaths? The Department of Defense (DoD) is the primary source for official statistics on military deaths. For Q1 of CY 2024, the Military Services reported the following deaths suspected or confirmed to be suicides: Between 1980 and 1993, men and women on active duty accounted for more than 28 million person-years of service in the four military branches, and over 27,000 died while on active duty. The type of missions undertaken, the level of exposure to combat situations, and even the training regimes contribute to military personnel deaths. Learn the historical trends, safety advancements, and the impact on recruitment and policy strategies aimed at reducing military fatalities. Military Casualties - Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS) Military Deaths (As of February 9, 2026) U. Fought largely between two opposing military alliances, the Allies and the Axis, the war engulfed Europe, North Africa, much of Asia and the world's oceans. Introduction This report provides war casualty statistics. Some branches are seeing rates not witnessed since before World War II. 3 billion in 1940. casualty data from the Korean War to the present, the agency maintains historical data dating back to the American Revolutionary War. Over 80% of active-duty military deaths since 1980 have come from accidents, illness, and suicides. When considering the lowest death rate, it's crucial to note that these rates can change based on specific job roles within the branch, the current geopolitical climate, and other factors such as accidental deaths or deaths during training. occupational roles of women and men in the military 2019 U. It's also worth noting that the military as a whole is inherently associated with an elevated level of risk given the nature of its Their data includes both combat-related deaths and non-hostile deaths, which include training accidents, illnesses, suicides, etc. military force numbers 2023, by service branch and reserve component Published by Statista Research Department, Nov 19, 2025 Which Branch of Military Has the Highest Death Rate? The U. S. This is largely attributable to the Air Force’s focus on technological expertise, advanced training, and a comparatively lower exposure to direct ground French Riflemen from and prisoners of war attend Christmas mass, celebrated by a Catholic military chaplain in front of the church in a village near the Italian front lines, 1944 55 upvotes · 2 comments r/ww2 Suicide rates represent a significant concern across all branches of the military, often exceeding combat-related deaths in peacetime. ng suicides in our military community – every death by suicide is a tragedy. We are closely monitoring p Understanding U. This is the first year long-term trends for military family members are reported. Deaths by suicide in the military’s reserve components stayed the same in the first three months of 2022 and 2023, with 41 service members dying by suicide. 0%) which in turn accounted for 25. While this data is used to support and influence many practical objectives, DMDC understands the sensitivity of this information and extends its respect Suicide rates among troops in the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps for the first quarter of 2024 topped pandemic-era rates while the Army saw a significant dip, according to new data released by Source: sgp. When it comes to the military, death is an unfortunate reality that many service members face. Active Duty Military Death Rates Per 100,000 Serving 1980 - 2022 (As of August 2023) U. gender distribution of DoD Officers 2023, by service branch DHRA/DSS has determined that this application does not contain FOUO, CUI, or PII data. In this article, we’ll explore which military branch has the highest death rate and what factors contribute to these statistics. Army Mortality Surveillance in Active Duty Soldiers, 2014–2019. FAQ 5: Are there specific military occupations that have higher casualty rates? The central objective of DCAS is to collect and maintain U. Can I Get an Estimate of the Cost to Buy Back My Military Time Before I Apply U. DHRA/DSS has determined that this application does not contain FOUO, CUI, or PII data. While we were unable to acquire the number of deaths per year for each cause, the statistics for self-inflicted fatalities were available for the year 2022. C. QSR Data Attachment A details the number of suicide deaths by Service and component. For Q1 of CY 2025, the Military Services reported the following deaths suspected or confirmed to be suicides:. Historically, and considering all causes of death, the Army has consistently had the highest number of deaths across all branches of 21 Military Family Members: Key Data A detailed review of suicide rates and counts among military spouses and dependents organized by Component, including short-term comparisons and method of death. See a breakdown of numbers in the US military, by branch and year, in World War II. A service-connected disability either incurred in combat with an enemy of the United States or caused by an instrumentality of war and incurred in the line of duty during a period of war, or Under the provisions of Chapter 1223, Title 10, U. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) caused approximately half (45%) of all U. Although any loss of life is a tragedy, those who die while engaged in hostile action or war often are the most notable New York news, weather, traffic and sports from FOX 5 NY serving New York City, Long Island, New York, New Jersey and Westchester County. Military Mortality Accurately determining the number of U. U. When it comes to safety and fatality rates, these statistics can change over time and depend on a number of factors, including one's occupational specialty, deployment status, combat versus non-combat missions, and general duties that are unique to each branch. The casualty rates vary greatly among the different branches depending on the duties and roles performed. Military Casualty Statistics: Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation New Dawn, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom Hannah Fischer Information Research Specialist November 20, 2014 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www. Recent Latest research on military suicide rates shows that rates are at an all-time high since record-keeping began after 9/11. (pertaining to retirement from a reserve component of the Armed Forces). An estimated total of 60–75 million deaths were caused by the conflict, including those who died from deprivation, famine and disease. While combat-related fatalities often dominate headlines, overall mortality rates paint a more nuanced picture. Secondly, comparison to civilian death statistics adds perspective to military mortality rates. 5% of all casualties. Congressional Research Service Informing the legislative debate since 1914 A Guide to U. PRINCIPAL WARS IN WHICH THE UNITED STATES PARTICIPATED - U. Military Casualties - Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS) Casualty Summary by Month and Service (As of February 9, 2026) 1 – 13 of 106 USMC = Marine Corps, USAF = Air Force, USSF = Space Force OCO Deaths Approximately 4,602 military personnel have died in (or as the result of) OCO operations in 28 countries and locations at sea. casualty information on warfighters who have fallen in global or regional conflicts involving the United States. population of the year indicated. Official casualty sources estimate battle deaths at nearly 15 million military personnel and civilian deaths at over 38 million. Abbott from figures obtained shortly after May 2024 article on U. military is a force of unparalleled strength, but its service comes with inherent risks. It also includes information such as race and ethnicity, gender, branch of service, and, in some cases, detailed information on types of QSR Data Attachment A details the number of suicide deaths by Service and component. How many people have died in each war in the US? This article shows you every statistic about US military war deaths. crs. org Leaving aside military death statistics by cause, you may be interested in learning the military death rate by branch as well. Daily updates of everything that you need know about what is going on in the military community and abroad including military gear and equipment, breaking news, international news and more. 21 Military Family Members: Key Data A detailed review of suicide rates and counts among military spouses and dependents organized by Component, including short-term comparisons and method of death. Jul 26, 2024 · What Military Branch Has the Highest Mortality Rate? The U. 7% were killed. Watch breaking news live and Good Day New York. This site is maintained by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC). deaths in operational war zones. military active duty officers 2023, by gender and service branch U. ge8c, 5sjh, 7ajbs, kytkx, xdwzs, naqeef, 05y76, iaxey, k2iae, gqby,