United States Department of Defense

Introduction

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is an executive branch department of the federal government of the United States tasked with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national security and the United States Armed Forces. The DoD is the largest employer in the world, with over 1.3 million active-duty service members and 732,079 civilians as of 2020.

History

The Department of Defense was established on August 10, 1949, by the National Security Act Amendments of 1949. It merged the Department of War (renamed as the Department of the Army) and the Department of the Navy into the National Military Establishment (NME), headed by the Secretary of Defense. It was also intended to unify the Army, Navy, and the newly created United States Air Force into a federated structure.

A large, pentagon-shaped building with a central courtyard, surrounded by parking lots and roads.

Structure

The Department of Defense is divided into three general departments, each headed by a civilian: the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force. The four branches of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, and United States Marine Corps) are organized under these three departments.

Budget

The Department of Defense has a vast budget that exceeds those of many countries. In fiscal year 2020, the DoD's budget was $721.5 billion. The budget covers all branches of the U.S. military and is allocated for building new aircraft, ships, and other equipment, research and development, personnel salaries, health care, and building and maintaining infrastructure.

Aerial view of a large military base with numerous buildings, aircraft, and vehicles.

Operations

The Department of Defense conducts operations worldwide, ranging from humanitarian assistance to combat missions. These operations are carried out by the various branches of the military, each of which has its own area of expertise and focus.

Criticisms and Controversies

The Department of Defense has been subject to various criticisms and controversies over the years. These have ranged from issues of waste and inefficiency to questions of policy and conduct of military operations.