What is the primary mission of the Department of Defense?

The primary mission of the Department of Defense (DoD) is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and protect the nation's security. This encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, including maintaining the readiness of armed forces to respond to threats, engaging in military operations as required, and developing military strategies that align with national security objectives.

The core of the DoD's mission is built around the principle of deterrence, which focuses on preventing conflict through a display of military strength and readiness. This mission includes not only preparing for potential wars but also actively ensuring that the United States can respond effectively to a variety of threats, including conventional warfare, cyber threats, and other security challenges.

While attacking enemies and eliminating terrorist organizations are indeed important functions carried out by the military, they fall under the broader objective of ensuring national security and not the primary mission itself. Thus, the correct answer concentrates on the overarching goal of the DoD, which is critical for understanding its role in the context of national and global security.