How is U.S. DoD organized for procurement?

The U.S. DoD controls five of the six branches of the military—Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force—with the Coast Guard reporting into the Department of Homeland Security. There are also reserve components—the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard—that operate in part under state authority. Here’s a brief description of the six U.S. military branches:

U.S. Army

The oldest service in the military, the Army, is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces, providing ground forces to protect the United States and its global allies. It also protects U.S. installations and properties around the world. Additionally, each U.S. state has its own Army National Guard, which is in fact, a requirement of the U.S. Constitution (making it unique in this regard).

U.S. Marine Corps

The Marine Corps or U.S. Marines is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces and is often the first branch deployed on the ground in combat. They are trained for both land and sea combat, with their own infantry, armour, artillery, aerial, and special operations forces.

U.S. Navy

The maritime services branch of the United States Armed Forces, the U.S. Navy, conducts missions primarily by sea but also by air and land. One of the biggest navies in the world, its core mission is to secure and protect the world’s oceans to foster safety for travel and trade.

U.S. Air Force

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, operating planes, helicopters, and satellites. Its mission is to defend the United States in the air, space, and cyberspace. In addition, the Air National Guard acts as a separate reserve component of the USAF.

U.S. Space Force

The newest branch of the military and sister branch to the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force organizes, trains, and equips space forces with a view to protecting the interests of the U.S. and its allies in space.

U.S. Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. USCG operates under the Department of Homeland Security, unlike the other five military branches. Both a humanitarian and a security service, the Coast Guard has jurisdiction in both domestic and international waters to conduct rescue operations, law enforcement, and drug prevention, as well as clear waterways.

Unified Combatant Commands

Lastly, the U.S. DoD has 11 Unified Combatant Commands that include units from two or more service branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. These joint military commands conduct broad and continuous missions and are organized either geographically or functionally:

1. Africa Command
2. Central Command
3. Cyber Command
4. European Command
5. Indo-Pacific Command
6. Northern Command
7. Southern Command
8. Space Command
9. Special Operations Command
10. Strategic Command
11. Transportation Command