Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is the executive branch agency responsible for coordinating U.S. Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and sometimes Coast Guard. Headquartered at the Pentagon, it provides military forces to deter war and protect national security, overseeing about 3.4 million personnel across 4,800 sites in 160+ countries with an $841 billion budget.
National Security and Defense Strategy
The DOD shapes U.S. defense policy, collaborating with agencies like the NSC and State Department on foreign policy. It addresses threats through tracking nuclear threats, responding to them, and planning for nuclear war. Regional strategies cover Iran contingencies and Pentagon war plans.
Military Operations and Procurement
DOD manages global operations and procurement, amid debates on spending. Key issues include why Navy ships cost so much and plans like reviving shipbuilding via partnerships. Congress’s war powers are examined in how it lost control and how to regain it, plus debates on renaming DOD the Department of War.
Military Service and Support
Explore service via Selective Service, ROTC, JROTC, or academies. Career paths include engineer recruiting, education, promotions, and transfers. Benefits cover TRICARE, tuition aid, and COOL credentials.
An Independent Team to Decode Government
Our articles are referenced by .gov and .mil websites as well as trusted think tanks and publications including Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill, and USA Today.