The Department of Defense is responsible for providing the military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of our country. The major elements of these forces are the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, consisting of about 1.3 million men and women on active duty.

What is the purpose of the DOD?

The Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter war, and to protect the security of the United States.

Is the DOD part of the military?

The Department of Defense (DOD) is the successor agency to the National Military Establishment created by the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. … It was established as an executive department of the Government by the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 with the Secretary of Defense as its head (5 U.S.C. 101).