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Defense Primer: A Guide for New Members

Changes from March 3, 2017 to October 4, 2017

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Defense Primer: A Guide for New Members

March 3October 4, 2017 (R44757)

Contents

Introduction

The Constitution provides Congress with broad powers over the Armed Forces, including the power to "to raise and support Armies," "to provide and maintain a Navy," "to make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces," and "to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States.... "

CRS has developed a series of short primers to give Members of Congress an overview of key aspects of the Department of Defense and how Congress exercises authority over it. A consolidated list of these primers is contained in this report, along with links to each document.

For additional information on these issues, please contact the authors of the individual reports. Their contact information is listed at the end of each document and at the back of this report.

Congress and the Armed Forces

Congress's Constitutional Authority with Regard to the Armed Forces

CRS In Focus IF10535, Defense Primer: Congress's Constitutional Authority with Regard to the Armed Forces, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

The NDAA Process

CRS In Focus IF10515, Defense Primer: The NDAA Process, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

Navigating the NDAA

CRS In Focus IF10516, Defense Primer: Navigating the NDAA, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

Defense Appropriations Process

CRS In Focus IF10514, Defense Primer: Defense Appropriations Process, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

The Executive Branch

President's Constitutional Authority with Regard to the Armed Forces

CRS In Focus IF10534, Defense Primer: President's Constitutional Authority with Regard to the Armed Forces, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

The Department of Defense

CRS In Focus IF10543, Defense Primer: The Department of Defense, by [author name scrubbed]

The Military Departments

CRS In Focus IF10550, Defense Primer: The Military Departments, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

Department of the Army

CRS In Focus IF10544, Defense Primer: Department of the Army, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

Department of the Navy

CRS In Focus IF10484, Defense Primer: Department of the Navy, by [author name scrubbed]

Department of the Air Force

CRS In Focus IF10547, Defense Primer: The United States Air Force, by [author name scrubbed]

Defense Strategy and Budget

Geography, Strategy, and U.S. Force Design

CRS In Focus IF10485, Defense Primer: Geography, Strategy, and U.S. Force Design, by [author name scrubbed]

Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution Process (PPBE)

CRS In Focus IF10429, Defense Primer: Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution Process (PPBE), by [author name scrubbed]

People

Military Officers

CRS In Focus IF10685, Defense Primer: Military Officers, by [author name scrubbed] and Adam J. Cucchiara

Military Enlisted Personnel

CRS In Focus IF10684, Defense Primer: Military Enlisted Personnel, by [author name scrubbed] and Adam J. Cucchiara

Regular Military Compensation

CRS In Focus IF10532, Defense Primer: Regular Military Compensation, by [author name scrubbed]

Military Pay Raise

CRS In Focus IF10260, Defense Primer: Military Pay Raise, by [author name scrubbed]

Military Health System

CRS In Focus IF10530, Defense Primer: Military Health System, by [author name scrubbed]

Military Retirement

CRS In Focus IF10483, Defense Primer: Military Retirement, by [author name scrubbed]

Uniform Code of Military Justice

CRS In Focus IF10504, Defense Primer: The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), by [author name scrubbed]

DOD Contractors

CRS In Focus IF10600, Defense Primer: DOD Contractors, by Russell Rumbaugh[author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

Equipment

Procurement

CRS In Focus IF10599, Defense Primer: Procurement, by Russell Rumbaugh[author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation

CRS In Focus IF10553, Defense Primer: RDT&E, by [author name scrubbed]

Defense Industrial Base

CRS In Focus IF10548, Defense Primer: U.S. Defense Industrial Base, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

Domestic Content

CRS In Focus IF10609, Defense Primer: The Berry and Kissell Amendments, by [author name scrubbed]

Types of Forces

Ground Forces

CRS In Focus IF10571, Defense Primer: Organization of U.S. Ground Forces, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

Airpower

CRS In Focus IF10546, Defense Primer: United States Airpower, by [author name scrubbed]

Naval Forces

CRS In Focus IF10486, Defense Primer: Naval Forces, by [author name scrubbed]

Special Operations Forces

CRS In Focus IF10545, Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]

Strategic Nuclear Forces

CRS In Focus IF10519, Defense Primer: Strategic Nuclear Forces, by [author name scrubbed]

Ballistic Missile Defense

CRS In Focus IF10541, Defense Primer: Ballistic Missile Defense, by [author name scrubbed]

Reserve Forces

CRS In Focus IF10540, Defense Primer: Reserve Forces, by [author name scrubbed]

Employment of Forces

Legal Authorities for the Use of Military Forces

CRS In Focus IF10539, Defense Primer: Legal Authorities for the Use of Military Forces, by [author name scrubbed]

Commanding U.S. Military Operations

CRS In Focus IF10542, Defense Primer: Commanding U.S. Military Operations, by [author name scrubbed]

Cyberspace Operations

CRS In Focus IF10537, Defense Primer: Cyberspace Operations, by [author name scrubbed]

Command and Control of Nuclear Forces

CRS In Focus IF10521, Defense Primer: Command and Control of Nuclear Forces, by [author name scrubbed]

Intelligence Community

National and Defense Intelligence

CRS In Focus IF10525, Defense Primer: National and Defense Intelligence, by [author name scrubbed]

Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence)

CRS In Focus IF10523, Defense Primer: Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence), by [author name scrubbed]

Intelligence Support to Military Operations

CRS In Focus IF10574, Defense Primer: Intelligence Support to Military Operations, by [author name scrubbed] and Mariah J. Armga

Budgeting for National and Defense Intelligence

CRS In Focus IF10524, Defense Primer: Budgeting for National and Defense Intelligence, by [author name scrubbed]

Author Contact Information

[author name scrubbed], Coordinator, Specialist in Military Manpower Policy ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in National Defense ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Legislative Attorney ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Military Ground Forces ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Military Aviation ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in U.S. and Foreign National Security Programs ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Defense Health Care Policy ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Analyst in Military Manpower ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Legislative Attorney ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Analyst in International Security ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Research Associate ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Naval Affairs ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Research Librarian ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Science and Technology Policy ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in National Security Policy and Information Operations ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Senior Research Librarian ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist on Congress and the Legislative Process ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Analyst in U.S. Defense Budget Policy ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Nuclear Weapons Policy ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])