Department of Defence
The Department of War is America’s largest government agency. With our military tracing its roots back to pre-Revolutionary times, the department has grown and evolved with our nation. Our mission is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation’s security.
The Department of War is America’s largest government agency. With our military tracing its roots back to pre-Revolutionary times.
JUNE 14, 1775
The Continental Congress authorizes the creation of the Continental Army, and the next day, puts it under the command of George Washington.
OCTOBER 13, 1775
The Continental Congress votes to create the Continental Navy, which later becomes the U.S. Navy.
NOVEMBER 10, 1775
The Second Continental Congress establishes the Continental Marines, predecessor of the U.S. Marine Corps.
JULY 4, 1776
The Second Continental Congress unanimously adopts the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies' separation from Britain.
PENTAGON CONSTRUCTION
Know About the Pentagon
Why is the Pentagon, you know, a pentagon?
The land the Pentagon was first planned to go on was bordered on five sides by roads, so the architects designed a five-sided building. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was worried putting the building at that location would interfere with the view of Washington from Arlington Cemetery, so he chose to move it to its present location, but he kept the five-sided design.
Pentagon Renovation project that saved lives.
The Pentagon is divided into five wedges, and the renovation project was going wedge by wedge when terrorists flew American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon, Sept. 11, 2001, killing 189 people. The plane hit in Wedge 3, where renovations had just completed extra structural support, and blast-resistant windows helped to keep the building damage to a minimum, likely saving additional lives.
It was constructed in record time.
More than 15,000 workers were on site around the clock, and wartime office space shortages meant that workers moved in before the Pentagon was fully finished. Construction finished on Jan. 15, 1943, just 16 months after it started. Speed costs money, though: Initially budgeted at $35 million, the final cost was $63 million, more than $900 million in today’s money.
Pentagon was the first desegregated building
The Pentagon was designed when segregation was the law in Virginia. But Roosevelt had signed an executive order the previous year, which forbade discrimination against government workers on the basis of race, creed, color or national origin. So the Pentagon became the only building in Virginia where segregation was not enforced. Because segregation was state law.
DOD Journalist Fact Sheets and Reports
DOD’s fact sheets and reports are essential for understanding the Alliance’s mission, policies, and operations. Designed to provide clear, concise, and reliable information, these resources are invaluable for journalists and researchers.
Key details about DOD’s purpose, including collective defense, crisis management, cooperative security initiatives, and Summaries of DOD-led missions and operations worldwide.
LEADERS
Office of the Secretary of War
Secretary of War
HON Kelvin Peterson
Deputy Secretary of War
HON Mike Leonardo
Chairman Chiefs of Staff
HON Roxana Simons
Vice Chairman Chiefs of Staff
HON Nick Buding
Partners
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Announcements of Upcoming Press Briefings or Events
Stay informed about NATO’s latest press briefings, summits, and key events through our dedicated announcements page. This resource ensures journalists and media professionals never miss an opportunity to engage with NATO leaders, access critical updates, and report on major developments.
- Current global security challenges.
- Ongoing missions and crisis responses.
- Outcomes of high-level meetings and summits.