The USA Military vs the UAE Military - Essay Example

The US army has grown to 545, 849 by 31st October 2008, according to reports. On the other hand, the number of troops in the UAE was 50,500 personnel in total, which is very less when compared to the US military. “In 2004, total active troops were estimated at 50,500 personnel: army, 44,000; navy, 2,500; and air force, 4,000. Estimates in 2005 raised the total to 59,000 personnel” (Pike). Currently, the UAE military also known as the Union Defense Force consists of about 65,000 troops.

The mission of the US armed forces is to conduct successful battles that must fulfill national achievement and retain superiority by defending all threats. “The Army’s mission is to fight and win our Nation’s wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders” (US. Army). The mission of the UAE military is to maintain national security and peace in the country.

The US military has been successful in most cases, especially when it comes to third-world countries and Middle East countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. Though the UAE military hasn’t been as invasive as the US military, it is well-equipped and ready to face any threat that comes it's way.

The Defense budget of the United States is the largest in the world. The total amount spent on the US military is around $583 billion each year. In the year 2009, “the White House is seeking $711 billion for the military” (Hellman & Sharp). “The UAE central defense budget has been set around USD2 billion to USD2.5 billion over the past decade” (Ripley & Foss).

The US military actively appoints women to work in their armed forces. The women are usually appointed for a different section of the armed forces. The participation of women in the US military has been remarkable over the years. In the UAE, women entered the military field at a much later time, as the UAE is primarily a Muslim country. There have been many restrictions on the action of women in the UAE military. However, times are changing and the UAE military is beginning to give women a more important role, the “First batch of female military pilots to serve in the Emirati armed forces posted on 17 August 2008” (UAE Interact).

The US Army personnel have many benefits apart from a competitive salary. “All soldiers receive health care, housing and food allowances, and educational opportunities. After 20 years of service, retirement pay is guaranteed as well. On top of that, there are special pays for everything from deployment to medical training, depending on your job and location” (Today’s Military). The UAE military at the same time offers many benefits like housing allowance, car and furniture allowance and free education for children, and the like.

The Commander in chief of the Military in the United States is the US President. The Military Commander in Chief in the UAE is the President of the UAE or the Emir of Abu Dhabi. 
US armed force follows a concrete command of an authority that performs a chain of order from Field Army to Squads. Operational units are organized in the following manner:
- The Theater Army.
- Field Army and Army Group level.
- Down through Corps.
- Divisions.
- Brigades.
- Battalions.
 Companies.
- Platoons.
- Squads & Sections - and the typical rank of the Commander of these types of units (The US Army. “Organization”: Army.mil/Institution).

The UAE Military is organized as the following:
- A Royal Guard Brigade.
- Two armored Brigades.
- Three mechanized infantry brigades.
- Two infantry brigades.
- One artillery brigade (three regiments).
- Three fighter ground-attack squadrons in the Air Defense.
- One fighter squadron.
- One reconnaissance squadron.
- The air defense force has two brigades.
- Three battalions (Country Profile: United Arab Emirates).

When comparing the US military and the UAE military today, it is obvious that the US military is ahead of the UAE military. However, it is predicted that within the next decade, the UAE military will create a good impression within and outside the Gulf countries.