Secretary of Defense

Secretary of Defense

Secretary of Defense

A Short Reader

Reading Level

	edHelper's suggested reading level:	grades 6 to 8
	Flesch-Kincaid grade level:	7.23

Vocabulary

	challenging words:		adviser, policies, executive, humanitarian, agency, military, provides, government, arise, policy, crisis, duty, member, works, cabinet, general
	content words:		Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard, National Security Council

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Secretary of Defense
By Meg Leonard

¹ The Department of Defense is part of our country's government. It is in the executive branch. The head of this department is called the Secretary of Defense. This person is chosen by the president. The Senate has to agree with the president's decision. If this happens, then the person can take office. This department was established in 1947. It replaced two other departments. They were the Department of War and the Department of the Navy. The Department of War was established in 1789. The Department of the Navy was established in 1798. The departments were joined so that they would not compete with each other. The idea was for all branches of the military to work together.

² The Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to discourage war. It protects the security of our country. It is made up of the Departments of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. It is the largest government agency. About 1.3 million men and women serve on active duty. Almost 700,000 civilians also serve. About 1.1 million people serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The Department of Defense protects our national interests. Sometimes, this means going to war with another country. This department also provides humanitarian aid. It works to keep peace between nations. It is involved with .....
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