The face of the American military is changing. Far fewer people serve in uniform today compared with a generation ago, and the percentage of Americans with military experience has fallen by more than half since 1980.

Meanwhile, the profile of those who serve is vastly different than it once was. Today's armed forces are more diverse and include more women, and the troops are older and better educated. They also face new challenges, both while they're in uniform and after they leave the service.

The American Homefront Project is reporting on military life and veterans issues. We're visiting bases to chronicle how American troops are working and living. We're meeting military families. We're talking with veterans -- in their homes, on their jobs, at school, at VA hospitals -- to learn about their successes and their challenges.

We cover major policy issues at the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs, and we report on the family issues that service members and veterans experience in their daily lives. From the youngest military recruits to the veterans of World War II, we're reporting in-depth stories about Americans who serve.

Major support for the American Homefront Project comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, as part of CPB's ongoing effort to expand coverage of local, regional, and national issues.