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United States Department of Defense

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United States Department of Defense
Seal
Agency overview
FormedSeptember 18, 1947
JurisdictionGovernment of the United States of America
HeadquartersThe Pentagon
Arlington County, Virginia, United States
Annual budget$721.5 billion
Agency executives
  • Lloyd J. Austin, Secretary
  • Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary
  • Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
  • Christopher W. Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Child agencies
Websitehttps://www.defense.gov/[1]

The United States Department of Defense (DOD or DoD), previously known as the United States Department of War is a reactionary and anti-communist government organization responsible for the military overthrow of many governments around the world, most notably those of socialist and indigenous control, as well as for the occupation of numerous nations and territories.

As of 2022, the DoD's guiding National Defense Strategy (NDS) refers to the People's Republic of China as its "most consequential strategic competitor for the coming decades" and thus as its pacing challenge, while referring to the "acute threat" posed by Russia, and the "persistent threats" posed by DPRK, Iran, and "violent extremist organizations" as well as challenges such as climate change and pandemics.[1]

The DoD is currently headed by Lloyd Austin, a former member of the board of directors of Raytheon, a major defense contractor. Austin was preceded as Secretary by Mark Esper, a former top lobbyist of Raytheon.[2]

The DoD currently comprises more than 2.9 million service members and civilians stationed in 4,686 sites across the United States and around the globe,[3] overseeing an estimated 902 overseas foreign bases.[4] In addition to its military forces, the DOD employs at least 60,000 people to serve as propagandists and "keyboard warriors" and glorify the U.S. government.[5]

History[edit | edit source]

The Department of Defense was established after the Second World War through the 1947 National Security Act to create an institution that combined the Departments of War and Navy.[3]

Structure[edit | edit source]

The DoD is arranged in five primary sets of institutions, each representing thousands of people and, often, hundreds of specific offices. The five primary sets of institutions include the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Joint Staff, the Military Departments, the Unified Combatant Commands, and the Defense Agencies.[3]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]