Risks in the military: which branch sees less active combat?

I'm thinking about the military as a potentially safer alternative to college, but I'm a bit worried about the risks involved with active combat. Does any branch of the military have a statistically lower risk of seeing combat? Just want to make an informed decision. Thanks!

While it's important to note that all branches of the U.S. military potentially involve some risk, not all branches have an equal chance of serving in direct combat roles.

Traditionally, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy tend to have fewer personnel in direct combat roles compared to the U.S. Army or Marine Corps. This is largely due to their specific mission and the nature of their operations. In the Navy, many personnel are involved in operations at sea, away from immediate ground combat. Similarly, the Air Force's primary mission is air combat and support operations, which can often be conducted at a distance, though not necessarily less dangerous, from the battlefield.

However, the U.S. Space Force, the newest branch of the military, has a mission predominantly aimed at space domain operations, which does not currently involve direct combat.

Still, this doesn't mean that these branches do not have roles that can place service members in harm's way. They do have ground-based roles such as security forces or Seabees (in the case of the Navy), which might have a higher risk of combat exposure.

What also plays a significant role in determining whether a service member might see combat is the individual's chosen Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or rate (in the Navy), rather than simply the branch itself.

In summary, while certain branches may generally have lesser exposure to direct combat, several factors contribute to this risk, including the specific role and current deployment operations. It is advisable to discuss these considerations in-depth with a recruiter or military personnel before making a decision. They can provide detailed information based on current military operations and policies.