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Total Categories: 5
The Department of Defense was established in its current form on September 18, 1947.
Answer: False
While the National Military Establishment (NME), the precursor to the DoD, was established on September 18, 1947, the department was officially renamed the Department of Defense on August 10, 1949.
The First Continental Congress recommended defensive military preparations in response to the French and Indian War.
Answer: False
The First Continental Congress recommended defensive military preparations in September 1774, primarily in response to escalating tensions with the British Crown, not the French and Indian War.
The Continental Navy was established before the Continental Army.
Answer: False
The Continental Army was organized by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, predating the establishment of the Continental Navy on October 13, 1775.
The War Department was initially created to handle only Army affairs, with Navy affairs managed separately from its inception.
Answer: False
The War Department was initially created in 1789 to manage all military affairs, including those pertaining to the Navy, until the Navy Department was established separately in 1798.
President Truman proposed a unified defense department primarily to consolidate nuclear weapons development.
Answer: False
President Truman's proposal for a unified defense department in 1945 was primarily driven by a desire to address wasteful spending and interdepartmental conflicts, rather than solely to consolidate nuclear weapons development.
The 'Revolt of the Admirals' in 1949 concerned the cancellation of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.
Answer: False
The 'Revolt of the Admirals' in 1949 was a protest by naval officers against the unification of the armed forces and the cancellation of the supercarrier USS United States, not the USS Enterprise.
What was the initial name given to the Department of Defense upon its formation in 1947?
Answer: National Military Establishment (NME)
Upon its formation in 1947, the Department of Defense was initially named the National Military Establishment (NME).
The foundational branches of the U.S. military during the Revolutionary War included all of the following EXCEPT:
Answer: Continental Air Force
The foundational branches of the U.S. military during the Revolutionary War were the Continental Army, Continental Navy, and Continental Marines. The Continental Air Force did not exist during that period.
Why did President Harry Truman propose the creation of a unified department of national defense after World War II?
Answer: To address wasteful spending and interdepartmental conflicts.
President Harry Truman proposed the creation of a unified department of national defense after World War II to address wasteful spending and interdepartmental conflicts.
What historical event led to significant debate and protest regarding the unification of the armed forces in 1949?
Answer: The 'Revolt of the Admirals'
The 'Revolt of the Admirals' in 1949 led to significant debate and protest regarding the unification of the armed forces and the cancellation of the USS United States aircraft carrier.
The Department of Defense is primarily responsible for coordinating the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
Answer: True
The Department of Defense serves as the central coordinating body for the six U.S. armed services: the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and, for specific functions, the Coast Guard, ensuring unified national security efforts.
The Pentagon, headquarters of the DoD, is located within Washington, D.C.
Answer: False
The Pentagon, serving as the headquarters for the Department of Defense, is situated in Arlington County, Virginia, not within the geographical boundaries of Washington, D.C.
The Secretary of Defense reports to the President of the United States.
Answer: True
The Secretary of Defense, as the head of the Department of Defense, reports directly to the President of the United States, who serves as the commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces.
The Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force are the three military departments subordinate to the DoD.
Answer: True
The Department of Defense is structured to include three principal military departments: the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force.
Secretaries of the military departments exercise authority independent of the Secretary of Defense.
Answer: False
Secretaries of the military departments are legally subordinate to the Secretary of Defense and exercise their authority under the Secretary's direction.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff serve as the principal military advisors to the President and the Secretary of Defense.
Answer: True
The Joint Chiefs of Staff function as the primary body of senior uniformed leaders providing military advice to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council.
The U.S. Marine Corps falls under the organizational structure of the Department of the Air Force.
Answer: False
The U.S. Marine Corps is organized under the Department of the Navy, not the Department of the Air Force.
The operational chain of command runs from Combatant Commanders directly to the President.
Answer: False
The operational chain of command runs from the President to the Secretary of Defense, and then to the commanders of the Unified Combatant Commands, not directly from Combatant Commanders to the President.
The Joint Staff is composed solely of personnel from the U.S. Army.
Answer: False
The Joint Staff is composed of personnel from all five military services, not solely from the U.S. Army.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a component agency operating directly under the Department of Defense.
Answer: False
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a separate executive department and does not operate directly under the Department of Defense.
The U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps are both organized under the Department of the Air Force.
Answer: False
The U.S. Army is organized under the Department of the Army, and the U.S. Marine Corps is organized under the Department of the Navy. Neither is organized under the Department of the Air Force.
The Chief of Space Operations is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Answer: True
The Chief of Space Operations, as the senior uniformed leader of the U.S. Space Force, is part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The 'Military Departments' section of DoD structure includes the U.S. Coast Guard.
Answer: False
The U.S. Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security, although it can be transferred to the Department of the Navy by the President or Congress. It is not listed as one of the three principal 'Military Departments' within the DoD structure.
What is the primary mission of the Department of Defense?
Answer: To provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure national security.
The primary mission of the Department of Defense is to provide the military forces necessary to deter war and ensure national security.
Which of the following is NOT one of the six U.S. armed services overseen by the Department of Defense?
Answer: United States National Guard
The United States National Guard is not one of the six U.S. armed services directly overseen by the Department of Defense; the six services are the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard (for specific purposes).
Where is the Department of Defense headquartered?
Answer: Arlington County, Virginia
The Department of Defense is headquartered at the Pentagon, located in Arlington County, Virginia.
Who is the head of the Department of Defense?
Answer: The Secretary of Defense
The head of the Department of Defense is the Secretary of Defense.
Which military department organizes both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force?
Answer: Department of the Air Force
The Department of the Air Force is responsible for organizing both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force.
What is the function of the Joint Staff within the DoD?
Answer: To serve as the headquarters staff for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The function of the Joint Staff within the DoD is to serve as the headquarters staff for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, assisting them in their duties.
The Department of Defense's stated mission is to:
Answer: Provide military forces to deter war and ensure security.
The Department of Defense's stated mission is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure national security.
What is the organizational relationship between the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments (Army, Navy, Air Force)?
Answer: The military department secretaries report to the Secretary of Defense.
The Secretaries of the military departments report to the Secretary of Defense, who exercises overall authority.
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is responsible for administering defense contracts.
Answer: False
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is not responsible for administering defense contracts; that function falls under agencies like the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). The NRO's primary role involves designing, building, and operating intelligence satellites.
Combatant Commands are organized exclusively on a geographical basis.
Answer: False
Combatant Commands are organized not exclusively on a geographical basis, but also functionally, covering global responsibilities.
The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security oversees the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).
Answer: False
The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security oversees national intelligence agencies such as the DIA, NSA, NGA, and NRO. The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) falls under the purview of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
The 'fourth estate' agencies within the defense budget are significant because they represent a minor part of the total budget.
Answer: False
The 'fourth estate' agencies are significant not because they represent a minor part of the budget, but because they constitute a substantial portion (around 16%) and have been identified as areas for potential savings.
The National Guard Bureau serves as the primary combat command for all National Guard units.
Answer: False
The National Guard Bureau serves as a liaison and administrative body between the federal government and the state-based National Guard units; it does not function as a primary combat command.
The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness oversees the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Answer: False
The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness oversees personnel and readiness matters, including agencies like the Defense Commissary Agency and Defense Health Agency. DARPA falls under the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is primarily responsible for designing and building intelligence satellites.
Answer: False
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is primarily responsible for providing and operating information systems for the DoD, not for designing and building intelligence satellites, which is the role of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) focuses on signals intelligence and cryptography.
Answer: False
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) focuses on collecting, analyzing, and disseminating geospatial intelligence. Signals intelligence and cryptography are primarily the domain of the National Security Agency (NSA).
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) provides critical data for navigation, targeting, and situational awareness.
Answer: True
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) provides critical data derived from its satellite systems, which supports navigation, targeting, and situational awareness for national security purposes.
The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment oversees the Defense Commissary Agency.
Answer: False
The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment oversees acquisition and sustainment functions. The Defense Commissary Agency falls under the purview of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) focuses on incremental improvements to existing military technology.
Answer: False
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) focuses on developing cutting-edge, high-risk, high-reward technologies, rather than incremental improvements to existing military technology.
Combatant Commands are responsible for executing military operations under the direction of the Secretary of Defense.
Answer: True
Combatant Commands are indeed responsible for executing military operations, operating under the direction of the Secretary of Defense and the President.
The 'National Intelligence Agencies' section within the DoD exclusively details agencies focused on signals intelligence.
Answer: False
The 'National Intelligence Agencies' section details multiple intelligence agencies (DIA, NGA, NRO, NSA) with diverse functions, not exclusively those focused on signals intelligence.
Which of the following is a national intelligence service operating under the Department of Defense?
Answer: National Security Agency (NSA)
The National Security Agency (NSA) is a national intelligence service operating under the Department of Defense.
How are the eleven U.S. Combatant Commands primarily organized?
Answer: By geographical regions or functional areas
The eleven U.S. Combatant Commands are primarily organized either on a geographical basis or functionally on a global basis.
Which agency is responsible for administering contracts for the Department of Defense?
Answer: Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is responsible for administering contracts for the Department of Defense.
The 'fourth estate' agencies within the defense budget are significant because they:
Answer: Include agencies like missile defense and defense intelligence.
The 'fourth estate' agencies are significant because they include entities like missile defense and defense intelligence, representing a substantial portion of the defense budget.
Which of the following is a key function of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)?
Answer: Designing, building, and launching intelligence satellites.
A key function of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is designing, building, and launching intelligence satellites.
The Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958 established which centralized research authority?
Answer: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
The Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958 established the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), later known as DARPA, as a centralized research authority.
Which agency is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating geospatial intelligence?
Answer: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating geospatial intelligence.
The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security oversees which group of agencies?
Answer: DIA, NSA, NGA, and NRO
The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security oversees the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Security Agency (NSA), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
Which of the following agencies falls under the purview of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness?
Answer: Defense Commissary Agency
The Defense Commissary Agency falls under the purview of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
What is the primary role of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)?
Answer: Providing and operating information systems for the DoD.
The primary role of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is to provide and operate information systems for the Department of Defense.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a national intelligence service subordinate to the Department of Defense?
Answer: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is not listed as a national intelligence service subordinate to the Department of Defense; it operates under the Department of Justice.
The National Security Act of 1947 established only the U.S. Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Answer: False
The National Security Act of 1947 established not only the U.S. Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff but also the National Military Establishment (precursor to the DoD), the National Security Council, and the National Security Resources Board.
The Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958 centralized research authority under the individual military departments.
Answer: False
The Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958 did not centralize research authority under individual departments; rather, it clarified the Secretary of Defense's authority and established the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) for centralized research.
Title 10 of the U.S. Code primarily details the organization and functions of the Department of Homeland Security.
Answer: False
Title 10 of the U.S. Code primarily details the organization and functions of the Department of Defense, not the Department of Homeland Security.
The Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 designated the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the primary advisor on operational matters, removing this role from the Secretary of Defense.
Answer: False
The Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 designated the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the principal military advisor to the President and Secretary of Defense, but it did not remove the Secretary of Defense's advisory role; rather, it clarified command structures.
Department of Defense Directive 5100.01 outlines the specific budget allocation for each military branch.
Answer: False
Department of Defense Directive 5100.01 describes the organizational relationships within the department and delineates the major functions of its various components. It serves as a foundational document for the DoD's structure, but it does not outline specific budget allocations for each military branch.
The National Security Act of 1947 created the framework for modern U.S. national security policy by establishing key intelligence and defense organizations.
Answer: True
The National Security Act of 1947 was pivotal in establishing the National Military Establishment (later DoD), the National Security Council, and other key intelligence and defense organizations, thereby creating the framework for modern U.S. national security policy.
The 'Related Legislation' section primarily lists appropriations bills for the DoD.
Answer: False
The 'Related Legislation' section primarily lists foundational laws that shape the DoD's structure and operations, such as the National Security Act of 1947 and the Goldwater-Nichols Act, rather than appropriations bills.
Which landmark act reorganized the U.S. military's command structure, clarifying the role of combatant commanders?
Answer: Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986
The Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 significantly reorganized the U.S. military's command structure, clarifying the roles and responsibilities of combatant commanders and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Title 10 of the U.S. Code is significant for the DoD because it primarily:
Answer: Details the organization and functions of the DoD.
Title 10 of the U.S. Code is significant for the DoD because it primarily details the organization and functions of the Department of Defense.
The operational chain of command for U.S. military forces, as clarified by the Goldwater-Nichols Act, runs from the President to:
Answer: The Secretary of Defense, then to Combatant Commanders.
As clarified by the Goldwater-Nichols Act, the operational chain of command runs from the President to the Secretary of Defense, and then to the Combatant Commanders.
As of November 2022, the DoD had approximately 2.9 million active-duty uniformed personnel.
Answer: False
As of November 2022, the Department of Defense comprised over 1.4 million active-duty uniformed personnel, not approximately 2.9 million.
In 2017, Department of Defense spending represented less than 5% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.
Answer: True
In 2017, Department of Defense spending represented 3.15% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is indeed less than 5%.
The DoD's global military spending in 2017 was less than the combined spending of the next three largest military powers.
Answer: False
In 2017, the DoD's global military spending constituted about 38% of the total global military spending, exceeding the combined spending of the next seven largest military powers, not just the next three.
The FY2019 discretionary spending for the DoD was approximately $686 million.
Answer: False
The FY2019 discretionary spending for the DoD was approximately $686 billion, not $686 million.
The presidential budget request for the DoD in FY2024 was under $700 billion.
Answer: False
The presidential budget request for the DoD in FY2024 was $842 billion, which is not under $700 billion.
A 2013 Reuters investigation found that the Pentagon's financial management arm successfully completed all required annual audits.
Answer: False
A 2013 Reuters investigation revealed that the Pentagon's financial management arm used illegal adjustments ('plugs') to balance its books and avoided required annual audits.
A 2015 Pentagon audit identified potential savings of $125 billion, but this report was widely publicized.
Answer: False
A 2015 Pentagon audit identified potential savings of $125 billion, but senior defense officials reportedly suppressed this report to avoid political scrutiny.
In June 2016, the Inspector General reported that the Army made minor accounting adjustments totaling $6.5 million in 2015.
Answer: False
In June 2016, the Inspector General reported that the Army made significant accounting adjustments totaling $6.5 trillion in 2015, not minor adjustments totaling $6.5 million.
The Department of Defense successfully passed its audit in 2022.
Answer: False
The Department of Defense failed its audit for the fifth time in 2022, indicating it did not successfully pass.
The Department of Defense received an A grade in a 2015 analysis of federal agencies' Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing.
Answer: False
In a 2015 analysis of federal agencies' FOIA processing, the Department of Defense received a D- grade, not an A.
The DoD's budget overview table for FY2019 breaks down spending by functional areas like personnel and procurement.
Answer: True
The DoD's budget overview table for FY2019 does indeed break down spending by functional areas such as Military Personnel, Operation and Maintenance, Procurement, and Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E).
In 2017, the Department of Defense's global military spending accounted for what percentage of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?
Answer: 3.15%
In 2017, the Department of Defense's global military spending accounted for 3.15% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
What did a 2013 Reuters investigation reveal about the Pentagon's financial reporting practices?
Answer: The Pentagon used illegal 'plugs' to balance its books and avoided audits.
A 2013 Reuters investigation revealed that the Pentagon's financial management arm used illegal 'plugs' to balance its books and avoided audits.
What significant finding did a 2015 audit by a Pentagon consulting firm report regarding wasteful spending?
Answer: 125 billion in wasteful spending could be saved over five years.
A 2015 audit by a Pentagon consulting firm reported that $125 billion in wasteful spending could be saved over five years.
How many times had the Department of Defense failed its audit as of 2022?
Answer: Five times
As of 2022, the Department of Defense had failed its audit five times.
What grade did the Department of Defense receive in a 2015 analysis of federal agencies' Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing?
Answer: D-
In a 2015 analysis of federal agencies' FOIA processing, the Department of Defense received a D- grade.
According to the source, what was the DoD's total workforce as of June 30, 2024?
Answer: Over 2.91 million
According to the source, the DoD's total workforce as of June 30, 2024, was over 2.91 million employees, encompassing civilians and military personnel.
What was the approximate discretionary spending allocated to the Department of Defense in FY2019?
Answer: 686 billion
The approximate discretionary spending allocated to the Department of Defense in FY2019 was $686 billion.
What was the requested presidential budget for the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2024?
Answer: 842 billion
The requested presidential budget for the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2024 was $842 billion.
What did a 2015 audit by a Pentagon consulting firm find regarding wasteful spending, and what was the reported reaction?
Answer: Found $125B in waste; report was suppressed.
A 2015 audit by a Pentagon consulting firm found $125 billion in wasteful spending that could be saved, but the report was reportedly suppressed by senior defense officials.
The Department of Defense failed its audit for the fifth time in 2022. What percentage of its assets could it not account for in that year?
Answer: Over 60%
In 2022, the Department of Defense failed its audit for the fifth time, being unable to account for over 60% of its $3.5 trillion in assets.