Department+of+Defense


 * Department of Defense **



Secretary of defense: Leon E. Panetta

Our mission

The mission of the Department of Defense is to support the ideals of deterrence by providing military force where needed to protect our country.



History of the Department of Defense The department of Defense was created by the National Security Act of 1947, the act combined the Depts. of War and Navy to form National Military Establishment. The head of the Department of Defense is appointed by the president and approved by congress. Originally the cabinet consisted of a senior military officer, the heads of the three main services, and the commander of the Marine Corps, but in 1914 as the heads of state, were noted as unnecessary and argued this section needed to be consolidated. As a result the Department of Defense was created.

Originally the Department of Defense was called the Department of War (DOW), but the (DOW) had bad connotations. In 1949 President Harriet Truman changed the Name of the department to Department of Defense. The Department of War was founded in 1789 by President George Washington; the (DOW) was an important department in the cabinet. For these reasons President Washington appointed Herne Knox to be the Secretary of War. Henry Knox was essential to the survival of the colonies, Secretary Knox help plan a formidable defense to ward off Native American invasion and to survive against England attacks. Therefore Secretary Knox allowed, President Washington to focus on other important ordeals.

Job of the Department of Defense The Department of Defense headquarters is located at the Pentagon, the largest office building in the world. Primary the Secretary of defense advice the president on military conflicts and relays message or sometime schedule meetings with the Head of the Air force, Marine Corps, or Navy to discusses urgent matters. The department of the defense notifies the president if there are any hostile States/diplomatic situations or terrorist threats.