Department of Defense

With a current budget of approximately $850 billion, 3.4 million service members and 4,800 sites in more than 160 countries, (as of 2024), the Department is the largest and highest funded of the United States federal government.

Currently, 7 members make up the D.o.D.: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and the National Guard.

There are currently 11 Combatant Commands, "each with a geographic or functional mission," and these include: Africa, Central, Cyber, European, Indo-Pacific, Northern, Southern, Space, Special Operations, Strategic and Transportation Commands. (defense.gov)

Initially begun on June 14, 1775 when the Continental Congress authorized the creation of the Continental Army, it was placed under the command of George Washington the next day. At the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army became known as the U.S. Army.

On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress voted to create the Continental Navy, later becoming the U.S. Navy.

On November 10, 1775, the 2nd Continental Congress established the Continental Marines, the predecessor of the U.S. Marine Corps.

In August 1789, Congress established the War Department "at the cabinet level to oversee the operation and maintenance of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps."

On July 2, 1926, "the U.S. Army Air Corps is organized." In September 1947, it would be formally established as the U.S. Air Force.

And in August 1949, "the National Security Act is amended, renaming the National Military Establishment to the Department of Defense." (defense.gov)