Gallup Poll: Americans Rank Army as Top Branch

Americans believe that the Army is most important of the five branches of the U.S. military in defending our national security, a new Gallup poll shows. The survey indicates that 25 percent of Americans rank the Army as No. 1, while 24 percent see the Marines at the top, 17 percent name the Air Force, 11 percent choose the Navy, and 3 percent select the Coast Guard.

About four months before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Air Force ranked No. 1 at 42 percent, 18 percent saw the Army at the top, 15 percent chose the Navy, and a negligible amount cited the Coast Guard.

“From 1949 to 2002, Air Force generals were no doubt pleased to find that the average American viewed the Air Force as the most important branch of the service,” writes Frank Newport of Gallup. “Now, in more recent years, it is Army and Marine generals' turn to be pleased.”