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Departments & agencies

Department of Defense

DOD DepartmentsAt-will removal
At a glance
Type
Cabinet departments
Removal of leadership
Removable at will
Appointed by
Secretary appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate
Structure
Cabinet department · led by the Secretary of Defense
Term
No fixed term
Funding
Annual appropriations
Independence
Direct presidential control
What it does

The Department of Defense is the Cabinet department that runs the U.S. military, overseeing the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force. Led by the civilian Secretary of Defense, it directs the armed forces, the combatant commands, and major defense agencies. It is the federal government's largest employer and exercises authority over active-duty service members, reservists, and a large civilian workforce.

SecurityIntelligence
Where it sits
Sub-agencies & components (16)
USAFUSADARSDCAADCISDISADIADISDLADMADSWACOENGANSA/CSSUSNUSUHS
How it fits
U.S. ConstitutionNational Security Act of 1947 (created the National Military Establishment; redesignated the Department of Defense by the National Security Act Amendments of 1949) (1947)DODRules & actions

Created by Congress under the National Security Act of 1947 (created the National Military Establishment; redesignated the Department of Defense by the National Security Act Amendments of 1949) (Pub. L. 80-253, 61 Stat. 495 (1947); amended by Pub. L. 81-216, 63 Stat. 578 (1949); codified at 10 U.S.C. § 111 et seq. (Secretary of Defense, § 113)), it acts within the authority that statute grants. Its actions are subject to judicial review and to congressional oversight and funding.

Recent actions

Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant ImpactSeptember 11, 2026
Defense Department
Establishment of Department of Defense Federal Advisory Committees-Homeland Defense BoardSeptember 11, 2026
Defense Department
Notice of the Virtual Meetings of the Federal Advisory Committee Known as the Western Water Cooperative CommitteeSeptember 10, 2026
Defense Department
Proposed Collection; Comment RequestSeptember 10, 2026
Defense Department
Proposed Collection; Comment RequestSeptember 10, 2026
Defense Department
Notice of Intent To Exchange of Air Force Real Property for Non-Air Force Real PropertySeptember 10, 2026
Defense Department
Notice of Record of Decision for the Environmental Impact Statement T-7A Recapitalization at Sheppard AFB, TXSeptember 10, 2026
Defense Department
Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”September 9, 2026
Defense Department
View all actions on the Federal Register