Department of Defense

At a glance

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government concerned directly with national security and the United States Armed Forces.

The Department of Defense is the largest employer in the world. DoD employs 2.3 million active duty service members and 1.1 million national guard and reservists, bringing the agency’s total employment to 3.2 million.

“The foundation of military strength is our economic strength. In a few short years paying interest on our debt will be a bigger bill than what we pay for defense...No nation in history has maintained its military power if it failed to keep its fiscal house in order.” - Secretary of Defense James Mattis

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A Path Forward

Defending our nation and its citizens is one of the most important responsibilities of the Federal government. Our continued freedom depends, in large part, on the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces around the globe. This much responsibility comes with an expensive price tag. For every $1 spent by the Federal government $0.15 goes to Defense.  While securing the nation is an investment worth making, there is extensive reporting questioning the integrity of how those dollars are spent. The Pentagon has not passed an audit in two decades, tried to hide a report that identified $125 billion in savings, and funds projects that have little to nothing to do with defending the nation.

Equipping and protecting those who serve in the military is without question the top priority of the Department of Defense. However, these funds do not come from a special source.  They are paid for with the same taxes and debt as any other spending.  Frivolous spending in the pentagon contributes just as must to the national debt as waste anywhere else.  Defense of our country is of the utmost importance, but oversight and efficiency reforms should be an essential part of the plan. Not only will this ensure our active duty troops have what they need for battle, it will strengthen our nation.

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565.37 Billion Annual Budget

James N. Mattis Secretary

3,000,000 Government Employees

Budget Growth 2012 - 2016

$3.53 Trillion

Annual budget for the federal government

$565.37 Billion

Percentage of Federal Budget


Media Coverage


Oversight Reports