The U.S. Federal Government expects to spend $980,000,000,000.00 on Department of Defense in 2025. This represents 14% of all Federal spending in 2025.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is the federal executive department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national security and the armed forces. Established in 1947, the DoD's mission is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure the nation's security. It encompasses the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and various defense agencies and field activities. The department is headquartered at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.
The DoD is funded almost entirely through discretionary appropriations, which are set annually by Congress based on defense priorities. These funds cover personnel salaries, military operations, equipment procurement, and research and development. Supplemental funding may be allocated for specific military engagements or emergencies. The DoD also generates some revenue through fees for services, such as housing rents on military bases.
For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, the DoD's budget request is approximately $849.8 billion. This funding is allocated across various branches and agencies to support personnel, operations, procurement, research, and infrastructure. The major components of the budget include: Military Personnel: Funding for salaries, benefits, and related expenses for active duty and reserve personnel. Operation and Maintenance: Resources for training, maintenance of equipment, and day-to-day operations. Procurement: Investment in new equipment and weapons systems. Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E): Funding for developing and testing new technologies and capabilities. Military Construction and Family Housing: Resources for building and maintaining facilities and housing for military personnel. A detailed breakdown of the budget by subagency is available in the DoD's budget justification documents.
There have been numerous reported examples of wasteful spending at Department of Defense. See below for some of the most recent reported cases.
