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Defense Primer: A Guide for New Members

Changes from January 4, 2019 to March 8, 2019

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Defense Primer: A Guide for New Members

Updated January 4March 8, 2019 (R44757)

Contents

Introduction

The Constitution provides Congress with broad powers over the Armed Forces, including the power "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 provide 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 a pdf compilation of all the primers as of January 4, 2019, see Defense Primer, A Guide for New Members. 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]Jennifer K. Elsea

The NDAA Process

CRS In Focus IF10515, Defense Primer: The NDAA Process, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]Valerie Heitshusen and Brendan W. McGarry

Navigating the NDAA

CRS In Focus IF10516, Defense Primer: Navigating the NDAA, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]Brendan W. McGarry and Valerie Heitshusen

Defense Appropriations Process

CRS In Focus IF10514, Defense Primer: Defense Appropriations Process, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]James V. Saturno and Brendan W. McGarry

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]Jennifer K. Elsea

The Department of Defense

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

The Military Departments

CRS In Focus IF10550, Defense Primer: The Military Departments, by [author name scrubbed]Heidi M. Peters

Department of the Army

CRS In Focus IF10544, Defense Primer: Department of the Army and Army Command Structure, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]Barbara Salazar Torreon and Andrew Feickert

Department of the Navy

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

Department of the Air Force

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

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]Ronald O'Rourke

Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution Process (PPBE)

CRS In Focus IF10429, Defense Primer: Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) Process, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]Brendan W. McGarry and Heidi M. Peters

Future Years Defense Program (FYDP)

CRS In Focus IF10831, Defense Primer: Future Years Defense Program (FYDP), by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]Brendan W. McGarry and Heidi M. Peters

People

Military Officers

CRS In Focus IF10685, Defense Primer: Military Officers, by [author name scrubbed]Lawrence Kapp

Military Enlisted Personnel

CRS In Focus IF10684, Defense Primer: Military Enlisted Personnel, by [author name scrubbed]Lawrence Kapp

Personnel Tempo

CRS In Focus IF11007, Defense Primer: Personnel Tempo (PERSTEMPO), by [author name scrubbed]Kristy N. Kamarck

Regular Military Compensation

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

Military Pay Raise

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

Military Health System

CRS In Focus IF10530, Defense Primer: Military Health System, by [author name scrubbed]Bryce H. P. Mendez Commissaries and Exchanges CRS In Focus IF11089, Defense Primer: Military Commissaries and Exchanges, by Kristy N. Kamarck and Barbara Salazar Torreon

Exceptional Family Member Program

CRS In Focus IF11049, Defense Primer: Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), by Justin D. Ellsworth and [author name scrubbed]Bryce H. P. Mendez

Military Retirement

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

DOD Contractors

CRS In Focus IF10600, Defense Primer: Department of Defense Contractors, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]Heidi M. Peters and Moshe Schwartz

Equipment

Procurement

CRS In Focus IF10599, Defense Primer: Procurement, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]Heidi M. Peters and Brendan W. McGarry

Defense Industrial Base

CRS In Focus IF10548, Defense Primer: U.S. Defense Industrial Base, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]Moshe Schwartz and Heidi M. Peters Emerging Technologies CRS In Focus IF11105, Defense Primer: Emerging Technologies, by Kelley M. Sayler

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation

CRS In Focus IF10553, Defense Primer: RDT&E, by [author name scrubbed]John F. Sargent Jr.

Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering

CRS In Focus IF10834, Defense Primer: Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]Marcy E. Gallo and Moshe Schwartz

The Berry and Kissell Amendments

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

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]Barbara Salazar Torreon and Andrew Feickert

Airpower

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

Naval Forces

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

Special Operations Forces

CRS In Focus IF10545, Defense Primer: Special Operations Forces, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed]Barbara Salazar Torreon and Andrew Feickert

Strategic Nuclear Forces

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

Ballistic Missile Defense

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

Reserve Forces

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

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]Jennifer K. Elsea

Commanding U.S. Military Operations

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

Command and Control of Nuclear Forces

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

Cyberspace Operations

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

Information Operations

CRS In Focus IF10771, Defense Primer: Information Operations, by [author name scrubbed]Catherine A. Theohary Electronic Warfare CRS In Focus IF11118, Defense Primer: Electronic Warfare, by John R. Hoehn

Intelligence Community

National and Defense Intelligence

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

Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence)

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

Intelligence Support to Military Operations

CRS In Focus IF10574, Defense Primer: Intelligence Support to Military Operations, by [author name scrubbed]Michael E. DeVine

Budgeting for National and Defense Intelligence

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

Michael E. DeVine

Author Contact Information

Lawrence Kapp, Specialist in Military Manpower

Author Contact Information

[author name scrubbed], Coordinator, Specialist in Military Manpower Policy ([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], Analyst in Science and Technology Policy ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Military Aviation ([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 Military Manpower ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Analyst in US Defense Budget ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in International Security ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Analyst in Defense Health Care Policy ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Naval Affairs ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Analyst in U.S. Defense Acquisition Policy ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Industrial Organization and Business ([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 on Congress and the Legislative Process ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Defense Acquisition ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in National Security Policy, Cyber 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 in Nuclear Weapons Policy ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])