Why was the Department of Defense created?

a. to place the U.S. Army and Navy in one executive department
b. to establish a military chains of commands***
c. to end disagreement between the U.S. Army and Navy
d. to lessen the instance of military abuse of power

No.

The correct answer is a. to place the U.S. Army and Navy in one executive department.

To arrive at this answer, you can start by understanding the historical context. The Department of Defense (DoD) was officially established on September 18, 1947, as a result of the National Security Act of 1947. This act was passed by the United States Congress in response to the challenges faced by the military during World War II and the subsequent post-war era.

The National Security Act aimed to reorganize the structure of the U.S. military and create a more unified and efficient system. Prior to the establishment of the DoD, the U.S. Army and Navy operated as separate entities with different chains of command and objectives.

By creating the Department of Defense, the intent was to consolidate the command and control of both the Army and Navy under one executive department. This meant that the Secretary of Defense would oversee both branches, bringing them together and achieving a more effective and coordinated military effort.

Therefore, option a. "to place the U.S. Army and Navy in one executive department" is the correct answer, as it accurately reflects the purpose behind the creation of the Department of Defense.