The Department of Defense is composed of several parts. Each of the three branches of the Department have their own bureaus. These bureaus have a variety of tasks to perform, from testing and training to procurement. These bureaus operate both within the domestic as well as international arenas. The Secretary of Defense leads the Department of Defense, which is a government-funded agency. The Department of Defense, among other functions is responsible for procuring defense equipment and technology. The Department of Defense has other responsibilities, including research and development, military training, personnel management, and personnel administration. The Department of Defense also coordinates the military's global operations.
There are several federal agencies that work alongside the Department of Defense. The Department of Energy and Department of Defense Accountability Office are just a few of the other agencies. The Department of Defense includes the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and the Office of the Assist Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology. Other agencies include the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategic Concepts. The task of many organizations is to assess the national defenses, determine the feasibility of different strategies and create a unified national defence plan. The National Defense Sustainment and Logistics Review can also be implemented by the Department of Defense.
A separate Advisory Panel on Weapon System Sustainability is also available to the Department of Defense. This group has been in existence for some time. It advises the Department of Defense regarding matters related to weapon system sustainability. The group is made up of representatives from the armed services, defense industry, and academia. The group has performed a number of studies on the feasibility of various technologies and will recommend the best path forward to meet future needs.
The Department of Defense maintains a large inventory of its assets. This includes the total inventory of aircraft, personnel and aircraft in the Army and Navy, Air Force and Army, as well the military personnel in each branch of the service. This inventory includes a number of subinventory groups such as the Air Force or Joint Staff and the force positioning group. This inventory is managed and accessible by anyone who has a Department of Defense user ID or password. The most important component of this inventory is the force position, or the military’s military readiness. This is vital because it has an impact on the effectiveness of the force.
The Department of Defense has a remarkable list of accomplishments to its credit. Its most noteworthy accomplishments include development and deployment F-35A fighter airplanes. This aircraft can be used to transport fuel tanker aircraft as well as defend airbases against missile threats. For fiscal year 2020, the Air Force has a large-scale aircraft procurement plan. It also includes executive lift and operational support aircraft.