Discover Facts About the Department of Defense

What is the United States Department of Defense?

The United States Department of Defense (DOD) is a branch of the Federal Government that maintains all operations involving the Armed Forces; this includes recruitment, weapons development, administrative staffing, military strategizing, and war operations – the United States Department of Defense is responsible for the protection of American citizens, both domestic and international, from any means of aggression.

United States Department of Defense and Federal Law

The United States Department of Defense operates under Federal Law as per the guidelines expressed within that field of legislature; this allows for the United States Department of Defense to be under the jurisdiction of the Executive branch of the government – as a result, the President of the United States maintains the role of Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. In addition, the Secretary of Defense is considered to be the second in command with regard to the hierarchy of the United States Department of Defense.

Branches of the United States Department of Defense

The following are the three primary branches of the United States Department of Defense:
Army: The United States Army is classified as the ground forces with regard to any military deployment – both domestically or internationally

Navy: The United States Navy is classified as marine forces with regard to any military deployment; in addition, the Marines are a subsection of the Navy responsible for marine-based ground deployment.
Air Force: The United States Air Force is classified as the military branch responsible for the engagement in flight-based combat with regard to military operations.

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