What Is the United States Department Of Defense Responsible For?
Created in 1947, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) is responsible for staffing, training, and equipping the nation’s military services so they can deter aggression against the U.S. and fight wars. The largest area of responsibility for the Department of Defense is administering the three armed forces branches, the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Additional responsibilities focus primarily on maintaining intelligence- gathering operations for national security and providing logistical support department-wide. The military branches of the United States Department of Defense can operate independently or in concert. Ground forces primarily reside in the Army, which is responsible for overseas deployment. The Army includes foot soldiers, armored war-fighting equipment, a variety of air support equipment, such as attack helicopters, and a nuclear arsenal.