United States Department of Defense
Executive department of the U.S. federal government directing military forces and national defense
Data Confidence: 78% · Sources: 3 · Last Updated: Sep 18, 2026
- Assets Under Control ▲
- $3.8T
- Reach ▲
- 335.0M people
- Power ▲
- The Department of Defense directs a global force of nearly 2.85 million active, reserve, and civilian personnel, commanding military assets valued at over $3.8 trillion and hundreds of military bases globally.
- Influence ▲
- Through an annual budget exceeding $850 billion and global force projection, DoD decisions shape international security dynamics, foreign policy alignments, and world defense supply chains.
- Network ▲
- Maintains security agreements and intelligence alliances with dozens of sovereign nations, including NATO and Five Eyes, supported by prime defense contractor networks worldwide.
- Legacy ▲
- Formed under the National Security Act of 1947 as successor to the Department of War, the DoD has anchored global deterrence, international order, and major technological advancements for nearly eight decades.
- Trajectory ▲
- Stable — first assessment on record.
About
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is the executive branch department responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the United States Armed Forces. Headquartered at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, it encompasses the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, Department of the Air Force, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and intelligence agencies including the National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency. Established by the National Security Act of 1947, the department is the largest employer in the world with nearly 3 million active military, reserve, and civilian personnel. It commands an annual budget exceeding $850 billion and oversees U.S. military installations and strategic deployments worldwide.
Known For
Serving as the executive defense department and operational headquarters for the United States Armed Forces at the Pentagon.
Connections
Sources
- Wikipediacorroborated
- Warcorroborated
- Pgpfcorroborated