"The United States did not choose war—Saddam Hussein did. For twelve years, he violated 17 United Nations resolutions without cost or consequence. His regime had an international obligation to: To destroy its weapons of mass destruction; and To prove to the world that they had done so. He refused to do so.

It was the UN Security Council which passed the 17th resolution declaring Saddam Hussein was in 'material breach' of his disarmament obligations, and giving him one 'final opportunity' to disarm...Had he done so, war could have been avoided."

"The Department of Defense (DoD Directive 5100.1) is responsible for providing the military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of the United States. The major elements of these forces are the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Under the President, who is also Commander-in-Chief, the Secretary of Defense exercises authority, direction, and control over the Department which includes the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, three Military Departments, nine Unified Combatant Commands, the DoD Inspector General, fifteen Defense Agencies, and seven DoD Field Activities."

"The mission of the Department of Defense is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country."

Governmental Organization

"With approximately one-point-four million men and women on active duty, and about six hundred fifty-four thousand civilian personnel, we are the nation's largest employer. Another one-point-two million serve in the National Guard and Reserve forces. About two million military retirees and military family members receive benefits." (2002 data)

"The Department of Defense has a budget of three hundred seventy-one billion dollars and more than two million employees... As part of the Constitution’s system of checks and balances, our budget must be approved by the U.S. Congress, which acts as our board of directors." (2002 data)