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U.S. Department of Defense
Introduction & Top Questions References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
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The Pentagon The official seal of the United States Department of Defense features a bald eagle with outstretched wings holding arrows and an olive branch, surrounded by stars and a blue border with the words Department of Defense and United States of America. U.S. military presence around the world President Harry S. Truman sits at his desk signing the National Security Act of 1947, with men in military uniforms and suits standing behind him. President Barack Obama, seen from behind, leads a meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates in the Oval Office. National Security Agency National Reconnaissance Office A comparison chart displays the officer rank insignias for the United States Army, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, with each rank represented by its corresponding badge, bar, leaf, eagle, or star symbols.
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U.S. Department of Defense: References & Edit History

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Added department seal; adjusted display. Sep 16, 2026
Media added. Oct 03, 2025
Top Questions added. Sep 05, 2025
Corrected display issue. Mar 20, 2023
Modified link of Web site: Official Site of the United States Department of Defense. Jan 13, 2023
Article thoroughly revised. Dec 13, 2016
New article added. Mar 12, 2009
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