100+ Military Trivia Questions and Answers to Test Your Knowledge

I’ve always been fascinated by military history and facts since I was a kid. My grandpa was a veteran who loved testing us with random military trivia during family gatherings. Those moments sparked my interest in collecting these fascinating tidbits about military history, weapons, famous battles, and more.

I’ve put together this collection of 100+ military trivia questions that are perfect for game nights, veteran gatherings, history buffs, or just to test your own knowledge. These questions cover everything from ancient warfare to modern military technology, with a mix of easy ones everyone might know to some real stumpers that will challenge even the most dedicated military enthusiasts.

Military trivia is one of my favorite categories because it combines history, technology, strategy, and human stories in such a fascinating way. I’ve found these questions perfect for sparking meaningful conversations, especially at veterans’ gatherings where people can share their own experiences alongside the facts.

What I love most about military trivia is how it educates while entertaining. Just last Veterans Day, I brought some of these questions to a family gathering with several veterans present, and it turned into an amazing evening of storytelling and friendly competition.

General Military History Questions

These questions cover broad military history from ancient times to recent conflicts. I’ve tried to include a mix of well-known facts and some surprising details you might not know about.

Which ancient military commander is famous for crossing the Alps with elephants? Answer: Hannibal Barca

What was the name of the Japanese suicide pilots during World War II? Answer: Kamikaze
In which year did the Vietnam War end? Answer: 1975
What is the oldest military branch in the United States? Answer: U.S. Army (established June 14, 1775)

Which famous military leader said “An army marches on its stomach”? Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte
The Battle of Hastings took place in which year? Answer: 1066
What color were British military uniforms during the American Revolutionary War, leading to the nickname “Redcoats”? Answer: Red

Which empire had soldiers called “Janissaries”? Answer: Ottoman Empire
What was the name of Genghis Khan’s military force? Answer: The Mongol Horde
Which military rank is higher: Colonel or Major? Answer: Colonel

The Maginot Line was a defensive fortification built by which country? Answer: France
What was the code name for the D-Day landings in Normandy during World War II? Answer: Operation Overlord
Who was the first female to receive the Medal of Honor? Answer: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker

What was the largest naval battle in history? Answer: The Battle of Leyte Gulf
Which Greek city-state was known for its military prowess and warrior culture? Answer: Sparta
What was the name of Alexander the Great’s horse? Answer: Bucephalus

Which famous battle ended Napoleon’s rule in 1815? Answer: The Battle of Waterloo
The Roman legion typically consisted of how many soldiers? Answer: Approximately 5,000-6,000 men
Which country developed the first operational jet fighter in World War II? Answer: Germany (Messerschmitt Me 262)

In military phonetic alphabet, what word represents the letter Z? Answer: Zulu
Which war featured the famous “Charge of the Light Brigade”? Answer: Crimean War
What is the highest military decoration awarded in the United States? Answer: Medal of Honor

Need to test your knowledge on deeper philosophical questions? Check out our collection of philosophical questions that will make you think!

World War I Trivia

The Great War changed modern warfare forever and set the stage for many conflicts that followed. These questions explore key aspects of this pivotal global conflict.

What event triggered the start of World War I? Answer: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Which new weapon was first used by the Germans at the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915? Answer: Poison gas (chlorine gas)
What were the trenches in WWI? Answer: Defensive fortifications dug into the ground where soldiers lived and fought
Which country was not involved in World War I? Answer: Spain

What type of warfare dominated the Western Front? Answer: Trench warfare
Which US President was in office when the United States entered World War I? Answer: Woodrow Wilson
What was the name of the treaty that officially ended World War I? Answer: Treaty of Versailles

What was the nickname given to American soldiers during World War I? Answer: Doughboys
When did the United States enter World War I? Answer: April 6, 1917
What were the “Big Four” nations at the Paris Peace Conference? Answer: United States, Great Britain, France, and Italy

Which new military technology was first widely used in World War I? Answer: Tanks
What was the name of the German air service in World War I? Answer: Luftstreitkräfte
Who was the top-scoring fighter ace of World War I? Answer: Manfred von Richthofen (The Red Baron)

What was the “Lusitania” and why was it significant to WWI? Answer: A British passenger ship sunk by a German U-boat, helping turn American public opinion against Germany
What was the name of the armistice signed on November 11, 1918, that ended fighting on the Western Front? Answer: Armistice of Compiègne
What was the most common rifle used by American forces in World War I? Answer: Springfield M1903

Which major Russian royal family was executed following the Russian Revolution during WWI? Answer: The Romanovs
What was the “Zimmermann Telegram”? Answer: A secret diplomatic communication from Germany proposing an alliance with Mexico against the US
What disease killed millions of people worldwide during and after World War I? Answer: Spanish Flu (influenza pandemic)

Which battle was the longest of World War I, lasting 302 days? Answer: Battle of Verdun

Looking for more historical questions to challenge your knowledge? Try our 90s movie trivia for a different kind of blast from the past!

World War II Trivia

World War II remains one of the most studied military conflicts in history. These questions cover key battles, leaders, and facts about this global war.

When did World War II begin? Answer: September 1, 1939 (with the German invasion of Poland)
What was the code name for the Allied invasion of Normandy? Answer: Operation Overlord
Who was the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II? Answer: General Dwight D. Eisenhower

What was the name of the American effort to build the atomic bomb? Answer: The Manhattan Project
Which battle is considered the turning point of the war in the Pacific? Answer: Battle of Midway
What was the German air force called? Answer: Luftwaffe

Which country was NOT part of the Axis powers? Answer: Soviet Union
What was the code name for the German invasion of the Soviet Union? Answer: Operation Barbarossa
Which battle is considered the turning point of the war on the Eastern Front? Answer: Battle of Stalingrad

Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during World War II? Answer: Joseph Stalin
What was the name of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor? Answer: Operation Z
Which famous military leader said “We shall fight on the beaches”? Answer: Winston Churchill

What was the name of Hitler’s Nazi party? Answer: National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP)
Which city was the first to be attacked with an atomic bomb? Answer: Hiroshima
What was the name of the American B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima? Answer: Enola Gay

What was the bloodiest battle in US Marine Corps history? Answer: Battle of Iwo Jima
What special military unit was known as the “Ghost Army”? Answer: The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops (a deception unit)
Who was the top-scoring fighter ace of World War II? Answer: Erich Hartmann (Germany)

What was “Operation Paperclip”? Answer: The US program to recruit German scientists after WWII
Which significant WWII conference involved Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin discussing post-war reorganization? Answer: Yalta Conference
What was the “Enigma”? Answer: A German encryption machine used for sending coded messages

Which famous general led the Third Army during the European campaign and was known as “Old Blood and Guts”? Answer: General George S. Patton

Want to test your knowledge in other areas? Check out our collection of common sense trivia questions that everyone should know!

US Military Trivia

These questions focus specifically on the history, traditions, and facts about the United States military across all branches and eras.

What are the five branches of the US military? Answer: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (plus the Space Force established in 2019)
What is the official song of the US Army? Answer: “The Army Goes Rolling Along”
Who is considered the father of the US Navy? Answer: John Paul Jones

What do the letters “USMC” stand for? Answer: United States Marine Corps
When was the US Air Force officially established as a separate branch? Answer: September 18, 1947
What was the first submarine in the US Navy? Answer: USS Holland

Which US president established the Navy SEALs? Answer: John F. Kennedy
What is the highest-ranking officer position in the US military? Answer: General of the Army/Fleet Admiral (five-star rank)
What does “AWOL” stand for in military terminology? Answer: Absent Without Official Leave

What is the official mascot of the United States Marine Corps? Answer: English Bulldog
Which US president was a five-star general during World War II? Answer: Dwight D. Eisenhower
What is the motto of the US Marine Corps? Answer: Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)

The US Army’s elite airborne infantry unit is known as what? Answer: The 82nd Airborne Division
What military academy is located at West Point, New York? Answer: United States Military Academy
What is the final resting place for many American military personnel in Arlington, Virginia? Answer: Arlington National Cemetery

Which conflict is often called “America’s Forgotten War”? Answer: Korean War
What is the name of the naval fleet headquartered in Pearl Harbor? Answer: United States Pacific Fleet
What are soldiers in the Army Special Forces commonly called? Answer: Green Berets

What is the oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat? Answer: USS Constitution
Who was the first female four-star general in the US military? Answer: General Ann E. Dunwoody
What does the “D” in D-Day stand for? Answer: “Day” (it’s a redundant military term meaning the day an operation begins)

What is the US Coast Guard’s motto? Answer: Semper Paratus (Always Ready)

If you’re looking for more intellectual challenges, try our math trivia questions to flex your numerical knowledge!

Modern Warfare and Technology

The face of warfare has changed dramatically in recent decades. These questions explore modern military technology, recent conflicts, and contemporary military issues.

What technology allows military aircraft to avoid radar detection? Answer: Stealth technology
What does the acronym “UAV” stand for in military terminology? Answer: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
When was Operation Desert Storm? Answer: 1991

What is the name of the US military’s satellite navigation system? Answer: GPS (Global Positioning System)
Which country has the largest military budget in the world? Answer: United States
What was the codename for the US operation that killed Osama bin Laden? Answer: Operation Neptune Spear

What is the most widely used assault rifle in the world? Answer: AK-47
What are MREs in military terminology? Answer: Meals Ready to Eat
What is the world’s fastest military aircraft? Answer: SR-71 Blackbird

Which conflict is often referred to as the First Gulf War? Answer: Operation Desert Storm (1991)
What does IED stand for in modern warfare terminology? Answer: Improvised Explosive Device
What is the main battle tank currently used by the US Army? Answer: M1 Abrams

What is the name of the military alliance formed in 1949 to counter Soviet influence? Answer: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
What are the elite special forces of the UK called? Answer: Special Air Service (SAS)
Which military operation began in 2001 in response to the 9/11 attacks? Answer: Operation Enduring Freedom

What does DARPA stand for? Answer: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
What is the US Navy’s elite special operations force? Answer: Navy SEALs
What is the name of Russia’s equivalent to NATO? Answer: CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization)

What is the most powerful nuclear bomb ever detonated? Answer: Tsar Bomba
What is the term for the technique of using aircraft to refuel in mid-air? Answer: Aerial refueling

If you enjoy challenging your knowledge, you might also like our collection of space trivia questions and answers for some out-of-this-world facts!

Military Movies and Pop Culture

Military themes have inspired countless movies, books, and other pop culture phenomena. Test your knowledge of military portrayals in entertainment with these questions.

Which actor starred as the title character in “Saving Private Ryan”? Answer: Matt Damon
What 1987 film brought the phrase “Full Metal Jacket” into popular culture? Answer: Full Metal Jacket

Which war was the backdrop for the film “Apocalypse Now”? Answer: Vietnam War
Who directed the war film “1917”? Answer: Sam Mendes
What 2001 TV miniseries follows Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment? Answer: Band of Brothers

Which actor played the lead role in “American Sniper”? Answer: Bradley Cooper
What war is portrayed in the movie “The Hurt Locker”? Answer: Iraq War
Who wrote the military thriller novel “The Hunt for Red October”? Answer: Tom Clancy

Which war serves as the backdrop for the TV series “MASH”? *Answer: Korean War
What military rank did Tom Cruise’s character hold in “Top Gun”? Answer: Lieutenant
Which actor played Colonel Jessup in “A Few Good Men” and delivered the famous line “You can’t handle the truth!”? Answer: Jack Nicholson

What is the name of the fictional military base in the TV show “NCIS”? Answer: Naval Base Washington
In “Forrest Gump,” which war does Forrest fight in? Answer: Vietnam War
Which Stanley Kubrick film is set during the Vietnam War? Answer: Full Metal Jacket

What 2019 film depicts the World War I experience of two British soldiers? Answer: 1917
Which military branch is featured in the film “An Officer and a Gentleman”? Answer: Navy
What video game franchise features a soldier named Master Chief? Answer: Halo

Which actor played General George S. Patton in the 1970 film “Patton”? Answer: George C. Scott
What is the name of the 1986 film about Navy fighter pilots? Answer: Top Gun
Which war is depicted in the film “The Great Escape”? Answer: World War II

Looking for more entertainment trivia? Check out our collection of 80s movie trivia questions for a nostalgic challenge!

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed testing your military knowledge with these trivia questions! Whether you’re a history buff, a veteran, or just someone who enjoys learning new facts, military trivia offers a fascinating glimpse into the events and technologies that have shaped our world.

My family has always used trivia as a way to connect generations, with older relatives sharing their personal experiences alongside the facts. It’s amazing how a simple question about World War II can lead to a grandfather sharing stories he might not otherwise tell.

How did you do with these questions? Were there any that surprised you or taught you something new? I’d love to hear which ones were your favorites or if you have any great military trivia questions to add to the collection!

If you enjoyed this trivia set, you might also want to explore our other interesting topics to talk about for your next gathering!