Department of Defence; Military Department

= Department of Defense = Prior to the Korean War the Department of Defense (DoD) was known as the War Department. (Editor's Note: I am uncertain of the exact date when this was changed, but it was after World War II).

This part of the Executive Branch of the United States government encompasses all branches of the military in the United States, including but not limited to:

• the Air Force
• the Navy
  • the Marine Corps
• the Army
• the Coast Guard

Note that the Marine Corp is part of the Navy. (Editor's Note: someone please find a better way to express that. I have no desire to offend any Marines who might read this due to intra-service rivalries). All branches of the military report to the President as Commander-in-Chief. Despite the President having final authority over the military it takes Congress to actually declare war.

The United States military is currently (2003) an all volunteer organization whos members volunteer for a term of anywhere from 2 - 6 years.

Each branch of the US military has a reserve branch as well, known colloquially as "weekend warriors" because the active reserve units meet one weekend a month to train. In addition to the weekend obligation members of the active reserves also serve two weeks of the year on active duty, i.e. in a currently functioning military unit.