= United States Department of Defense = The '''United States Department of Defense''' ('''DOD''') is an executive [[UnitedStates/Departments|department]] of the federal government. It comprises the civilian chain of command over the [[UnitedStates/ArmedForces|United States Armed Forces]]. <> ---- == Composition == The department is led by a '''secretary''' and '''deputy secretary'''. The abbreviations '''SECDEF''' and '''DEPSECDEF''' are sometimes used. Several '''undersecretaries''' and '''assistant secretaries''' oversee offices and agencies. These agencies report to the '''undersecretary of Acquisition and Sustainment''' ('''USD(A&S)'''): * [[UnitedStates/DefenseLogisticsAgency|DLA]] These agencies report to the '''undersecretary for Intelligence and Security''' ('''USD(I&S)'''): * [[UnitedStates/DefenseIntelligenceAgency|DIA]] * [[UnitedStates/NationalGeospatialIntelligenceAgency|NGA]] * [[UnitedStates/NationalSecurityAgency|NSA]] * [[UnitedStates/NationalReconnaissanceOffice|NRO]] These agencies report to the '''undersecretary of Personnel and Readiness''' ('''USD(P&R)'''): * ... These agencies report to the '''undersecretary of Policy''' ('''USD(P)'''): * [[UnitedStates/DefenseSecurityCooperationAgency|DSCA]] These agencies report to the '''undersecretary of Research and Engineering''' ('''USD(R&E)'''): * ... These agencies report to the '''comptroller''', formally known as the '''Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller)/CFO''' ('''USD(C)/CFO'''): * ... Most undersecretaries have a deputy undersecretary, one or more assistant secretaries, and an office supporting them. These are abbreviated similarly to the undersecretaries themselves. For example: * the '''Office of the Undersecretary for Intelligence and Security''' is abbreviated as '''OUSD(I&S)''' * the '''deputy undersecretary for Intelligence and Security''' is abbreviated as '''DUSD(I&S)''' * an '''assistant secretary''' position is at least abbreviated as '''ASD''' There are sub-cabinet departments for the [[UnitedStates/DepartmentOfTheArmy|Army]], [[UnitedStates/DepartmentOfTheNavy|Navy]], and [[UnitedStates/DepartmentOfTheAirForce|Air Force]]. (The Marine Corps is overseen by the Department of the Navy; the Space Force is overseen by the Department of the Air Force.) These departments' secretaries report to the secretary of Defense. The [[UnitedStates/JointStaff|Joint Chiefs of Staff]] are the highest ranking uniformed members of the [[UnitedStates/ArmedForces|United States Armed Forces]]. While this council is led by a '''chief''', it does not constitute a chain of command. Only the secretary of Defense (and [[UnitedStates/Presidents|president]] as '''commander-in-chief''') has command over all branches. ---- == History == TODO: learn some history! ---- CategoryRicottone CategoryTodoLearnHistory