Daylife

US Department of Defense | ORGANIZATION

 

The United States Department of Defense (DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the military. The organization and functions of the DOD are set forth in Title 10 of the United States Code.

Read the full background at Wikipedia

Photos 

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson, general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, speaks during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC.  The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson, general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, speaks during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson, general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, speaks during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC.  The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson, general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, speaks during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3:  A committee staff member hands a letter to witnesses Jeh Johnson (2L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group,  Defense Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley (2R) and Army Gen. Carter Ham (R), co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC.  The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: A committee staff member hands a letter to witnesses Jeh Johnson (2L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, Defense Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley (2R) and Army Gen. Carter Ham (R), co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3:  Jeh Johnson (L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group,  and Defense Undersecretary for Personnel listen during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC.  The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson (L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, and Defense Undersecretary for Personnel listen during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3:  Jeh Johnson (L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group,  Defense Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley (C) and Army Gen. Carter Ham (R), co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, listen during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC.  The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson (L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, Defense Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley (C) and Army Gen. Carter Ham (R), co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, listen during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Getty Images 

Senate Armed Service Committee member Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., center, and the committee's ranking Republican Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, talks with Army Secretary John McHugh, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, before the committee's hearing on the Defense Department's fiscal 2011 budget.

Senate Armed Service Committee member Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., center, and the committee's ranking Republican Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, talks with Army Secretary John McHugh, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, before the committee's hearing on the Defense Department's fiscal 2011 budget.

AP 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen speaks during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen speaks during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (C), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) and Under Defense Secretary (Comptroller) and CFO Robert Hale (L) testify during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.  The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (C), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) and Under Defense Secretary (Comptroller) and CFO Robert Hale (L) testify during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) speaks as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (2nd L) listens during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) speaks as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (2nd L) listens during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen speaks during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen speaks during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (C), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) and Under Defense Secretary (Comptroller) and CFO Robert Hale (L) testify during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.  The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (C), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) and Under Defense Secretary (Comptroller) and CFO Robert Hale (L) testify during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (C), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) and Under Defense Secretary (Comptroller) and CFO Robert Hale (L) testify during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.  The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (C), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) and Under Defense Secretary (Comptroller) and CFO Robert Hale (L) testify during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) speaks as Secretary of Defense Robert Gates listens during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) speaks as Secretary of Defense Robert Gates listens during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) speaks as Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) listens during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) speaks as Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) listens during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates pauses as he testifies during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates pauses as he testifies during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates testifies during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates testifies during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) speaks as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) listens during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) speaks as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) listens during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) listens to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) listens to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03:  U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) listens to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 03: U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) listens to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee February 3, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The hearing was to examine the Obama Administration's budget proposal for the Defense Department for FY 2011.

Getty Images 

Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, accompanied by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, rear, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, before the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Defense Department's fiscal 2011 budget.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, accompanied by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, rear, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, before the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Defense Department's fiscal 2011 budget.

AP 

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson, general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, speaks during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC.  The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson, general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, speaks during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson, general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, speaks during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC.  The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson, general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, speaks during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3:  A committee staff member hands a letter to witnesses Jeh Johnson (2L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group,  Defense Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley (2R) and Army Gen. Carter Ham (R), co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC.  The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: A committee staff member hands a letter to witnesses Jeh Johnson (2L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, Defense Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley (2R) and Army Gen. Carter Ham (R), co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3:  Jeh Johnson (L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group,  and Defense Undersecretary for Personnel listen during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC.  The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson (L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, and Defense Undersecretary for Personnel listen during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3:  Jeh Johnson (L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group,  Defense Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley (C) and Army Gen. Carter Ham (R), co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, listen during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC.  The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

WASHINGTON - MARCH 3: Jeh Johnson (L), general counsel for the Defense Department and co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, Defense Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley (C) and Army Gen. Carter Ham (R), co-chairman of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group, listen during hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. The committee called US military officials to speak about repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Getty Images 

Launch Gallery   of  

On TV Now

View All

As of 6:19AM EST »