Executive Department

Department of Defense

Coordinates and supervises all agencies and functions relating to national security and the U.S. military. Oversees all six military branches.

Official Website

Department Profile

Established

1947

Employees

~2.9 million

Head

Secretary of Defense

Defense

Mandate

About This Department

Mission

Coordinates and supervises all agencies and functions relating to national security and the U.S. military. Oversees all six military branches.

Key Facts

Established

1947

Employees

~2.9 million

Department Head

Secretary of Defense

Sector

Defense

The Cabinet

Other Executive Departments

Est. 1789

Department of State

Manages U.S. foreign policy, diplomacy, and international relations. Oversees embassies and consulates worldwide, issues passports, and negotiates treaties.

View details

Est. 1789

Department of the Treasury

Manages federal finances, collects taxes via the IRS, mints currency, enforces financial laws, and manages national debt.

View details

Est. 1870

Department of Justice

Enforces federal law and defends the interests of the United States. Houses the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, and Bureau of Prisons.

View details

Est. 1849

Department of the Interior

Manages the nation's natural resources and cultural heritage. Oversees national parks, wildlife refuges, and federal lands.

View details

Est. 1889

Department of Agriculture

Develops and executes policy on farming, agriculture, forestry, and food. Administers food assistance programs and rural development.

View details

Est. 1903

Department of Commerce

Promotes job creation, economic growth, and sustainable development. Houses the Census Bureau, NOAA, and the Patent and Trademark Office.

View details

Est. 1913

Department of Labor

Fosters the welfare of wage earners. Administers federal labor laws, workplace safety via OSHA, unemployment insurance, and wage standards.

View details

Est. 1953

Department of Health & Human Services

Protects the health of Americans. Houses the FDA, CDC, NIH, and CMS which administers Medicare and Medicaid.

View details

Est. 1965

Department of Housing & Urban Development

Addresses the nation's housing needs, enforces fair housing laws, and develops communities. Administers Section 8 housing vouchers.

View details

Est. 1966

Department of Transportation

Ensures a fast, safe, efficient transportation system. Oversees the FAA, FHWA, FRA, and NHTSA.

View details

Est. 1977

Department of Energy

Advances energy technology, manages the nuclear weapons stockpile, and oversees energy policy. Manages 17 national laboratories.

View details

Est. 1979

Department of Education

Promotes student achievement and equal access to educational opportunity. Administers federal student aid programs.

View details

Est. 1989

Department of Veterans Affairs

Provides benefits, health care, and burial services to veterans and their families. Operates 170+ medical centers nationwide.

View details

Est. 2002

Department of Homeland Security

Protects the American people and homeland. Houses FEMA, TSA, CBP, ICE, Secret Service, USCIS, and the Coast Guard.

View details

Continue Exploring

View the full Executive Branch, Cabinet, and Advisory Board

Executive Branch