When someone says "I was in the military" does that mean anything from Marines to USAF?

Question

Or does that mean they were only in the army?

Answer 1

It applies to any branch of the armed forces.  

Answer 2

It means any branch of the service.

Answer 3

So, you want to be picky, it could also be the German SS, Russian Paratroopers, and many more. It's just how you phrase your question, how many answers you can get. So, a Someone is not necessarily an American, like all these smarty pants have assumed.

Answer 4

It means they were in 1 of the 4 branches or maybe even a Coastie. Military is a general term and doesn't mean 1 branch or another.  

Answer 5

it means the person was a soldier, sailor,airman, marine, coastie, or reserve.

In other words, any of the branches of military service.

Answer 6

Means any branch. All branches of the military are military.

Answer 7

Could be Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard.  They are all military branches!

Answer 8

It means Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines...

It does not mean Coast Guard,  Merchant Marine Service or Public Health Service which are also uniformed services..

Answer 9

It could mean Army, Army Reserves, Army National Guard, Air Force, Air Force Reserves, Air Guard, Navy, Navy Reserves, Marines, Marine Reserves and sometimes prior to 2001, Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserves.

Answer 10

Could mean any branch, even the coast guard.