Having a huge army sounds impressive. But size isn’t everything. A massive force can be hard to feed, train, and pay. China has to manage two million people—that’s like running a city full of soldiers.
Morale is a huge factor. North Korean soldiers are often malnourished. Not great for fighting. Meanwhile, Switzerland has a tiny active army but a massive militia. Every Swiss adult male keeps a rifle at home. They’re like a whole nation of weekend warriors.
The Weirdest Armies on the List
Let’s talk Vatican City. The smallest country in the world has the smallest army. The Swiss Guard has about 135 soldiers. They wear colorful Renaissance costumes and carry halberds. That’s a polearm, not a gun. Imagine going to war with a pointy stick.
Mongolia has a tiny army of about 35,000 people. But they have the world’s largest cavalry unit. Horse archers are still a thing there. It’s like living in a historical movie.
Israel has mandatory military service for almost everyone. Men serve 32 months, women 24 months. That means your barista might be a sniper on weekends. It’s a very caffeinated, very armed society.
