What is the ultimate purpose of the U.S. Armed Forces?

The ultimate purpose of the U.S. Armed Forces is to fight and win the Nation's wars. This objective reflects the primary mission of the military, which is to defend the country against threats and adversaries, ensuring the security and sovereignty of the United States. The focus is on preparing for, engaging in, and successfully concluding military operations to protect national interests and uphold the freedom and safety of the American people.

While providing humanitarian aid, expanding U.S. territory, and maintaining peace through deterrence are important activities that the military may engage in, they are not the overarching purpose of the Armed Forces. Humanitarian aid is often a byproduct of military operations or partnerships but does not capture the core mission. Expansion of territory is not aligned with contemporary U.S. military ideology or policy, which prioritizes sovereignty and alliances. Maintaining peace through deterrence is a strategic objective and a critical component of military operations, but it ultimately serves the larger purpose of winning wars and protecting national interests when deterrence fails. Hence, the decisive focus remains on the ability to effectively fight and win when necessary.