Public Resources

Agency description:

The Department of Defense (DOD) provides military forces and advises on policy to deter war and ensure the safety of the United States.

Website:

www.defense.gov

Enabling Statute:

“The Department of Defense is an executive department of the United States. The Department is composed of the following: the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Joint Staff; the Defense Agencies; Department of Defense Field Activities; the Department of the Army; the Department of the Navy; the Department of the Air Force; the unified and specified combatant commands. Such other offices, agencies, activities, and commands as may be established or designated by law or by the President.” 10 U.S.C. § 111(a)-(b)(10)

Key issues:

National security; military readiness; intelligence gathering; threat assessment.

Sub-agencies:

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; Defense Contract Audit Agency; Defense Contract Management Agency; Defense Finance and Accounting Service; Defense Information Systems Agency; Defense Intelligence Agency; Defense Logistics Agency; Defense Security Cooperation Agency; Defense Security Service; Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Missile Defense Agency; National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; National Security Agency; Pentagon Force Protection Agency

Agency description:

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) strives to assist U.S. military operations through cutting-edge research.

Website:

www.darpa.mil

Key issues:

High-risk, high-payoff research; stealth technology.

Agency description:

The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audits, offers financial advise, and performs necessary accounting functions for DOD contracts

Website:

www.dcaa.mil

Key issues:

Contract audit services; contractor business system audits; negotiation assistance.

Agency description:

The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) maintains contact with DOD suppliers to ensure all DOD supply needs are met on time and within the estimated cost.

Website:

www.dcma.mil

Key issues:

Quality assurance; engineering support; delivery management; software acquisition management.

Agency description:

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) manages payments to DOD employees, retirees, contractors, and vendors.

Website:

www.dfas.mil

Key issues:

Retroactive stop loss pay; TDY travel.

Agency description:

The Defense Information Systems Agency provides combat support and command and control assistance for military field operations.

Website:

www.disa.mil

Key issues:

Satellite communications; voice, video, and data service; Global Information Grid engineering; multinational information sharing.

Agency description:

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) provides foreign military intelligence information to key decisionmakers.

Website:

www.dia.mil

Key issues:

Counterintelligence; reconnaissance; military intelligence.

Agency description:

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) provides logistics support to military and civilian agencies worldwide during wartime and peacetime.

Website:

www.dla.mil

Key issues:

Storage and disposal of strategic materials; management of distribution depots.

Agency description:

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) coordinates global security efforts between the DOD, the State Department, and other agencies.

Website:

www.dsca.mil

Key issues:

Foreign military sales and financing; international military education and training; humanitarian assistance; disaster relief; mine action.

Agency description:

The Defense Security Service (DSS) provides the DOD with industrial security services and personnel.

Website:

www.dss.mil

Key issues:

Security education and training; clearing facilities, personnel and information systems; foreign ownership in cleared industries.

Agency description:

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) offers support for measures against weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Website:

www.dtra.mil

Key issues:

Arms control; chemical and biological weapons; nuclear deterrence, defense, and forensics.

Agency description:

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) develops and tests the Ballistic Missile Defense System.

Website:

www.mda.mil

Key issues:

Surveillance via land, water, and space; interceptor missile technology.

Agency description:

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) uses satellite imagery to provide map-based intelligence analysis.

Website:

www.nga.mil

Key issues:

Topographical data; satellite imagery; geodesy and geophysics.

Agency description:

The National Security Agency (NSA) provides signal intelligence and information assurance services to government.

Website:

www.nsa.gov

Key issues:

Collection of foreign intelligence information via signals; preventing the interception of intelligence information by foreign governments.

Agency description:

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency is a civilian agency that protects the safety of employees and visitors at the Pentagon and its annex facilities.

Website:

www.pfpa.mil

Key issues:

Pentagon police; security services; chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological weapons.