Secret Branches in the Military?

I've been doing a lot of research and I've stumbled across mentions of 'top secret branches' in the U.S. military. Is this true or just a conspiracy theory? Can anyone give me some clarity on this?

While the notion of "top secret branches" might sound intriguing, the truth is somewhat less mysterious. The United States Military officially consists of six branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and most recently the Space Force, which was created in 2019.

Each of these branches has various units that might handle classified or sensitive information, such as special operations forces (like the Navy SEALs or Army Delta Force), intelligence commands, or research and development agencies. These units often work on confidential operations, utilize classified technologies, or analyze sensitive information related to national security.

However, these are not separate "secret branches" of the military; they are parts of the established military structure and operate under a defined chain of command. The work they do might be conducted in secret due to national security reasons, but the existence of these units within their respective branches is not.

The idea of hidden or shadowy "secret branches" is more the stuff of conspiracy theories than reality. Always take rumors or speculation about such matters with a grain of skepticism and check the credibility of the source. Official government and military websites can often provide the most reliable information.