What's the highest military branch?

I've heard some people say there's a 'highest' branch in the military. Can anyone clarify what they mean by this? Are they referring to prestige, hierarchy, or something else?

It sounds like the term "highest" you heard might be causing some confusion. No military branch is inherently "higher" or "more prestigious" than the other. Each of the six branches of the U.S. military - Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force - is important and distinct in their roles and responsibilities.

If by "highest," someone meant the branch with the most personnel, that would typically be the Army. If "highest" was referring to the branch recognized for conducting operations in high-altitude environments or even space, you could think of the Air Force and now also the Space Force.

When it comes to hierarchy, all branches fall under the Department of Defense, with the exception of the Coast Guard, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime but may be transferred to the Department of the Navy during times of war. Each branch is headed by their respective chief (Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Naval Operations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Chief of Space Operations, and Commandant of the Coast Guard) who all report to the Secretary of Defense.

In terms of societal prestige, perceptions can vary greatly, and all branches play vital roles in national security, so it's not particularly helpful to rank them in this manner. Ultimately, the "highest" branch can depend largely on the specific context of the discussion.