Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier’s Day, Navy or Sailor’s Day, and Air Force or Aviator’s Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the armed forces, or one of their branches, of a sovereign state, including their personnel, history, achievements, and perceived sacrifices.  It is usually distinct from a Veterans or Memorial Day, as the former is dedicated to those who previously served and the latter is dedicated to those who perished in the fulfillment of their duties.

In the United States, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. It falls near the end of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May (the fourth of the month begins on a Sunday, as in 2016).^[18]