The Pentagon 3,460 recipients of the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration. The Hall is also used for promotions, retirements, and other ceremonies. Notes Bibliography The Pentagon The Pentagon, in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. As a symbol of the U.S. military, the phrase "The Pentagon" is often used as a metonym for the Department of Defense and its leadership. The building was designed by American architect George Bergstrom and built by contractor John McShain. Ground was broken on September 11, 1941, and the
Chief Management Officer of the Department of Defense Chief Management Officer of the Department of Defense The Chief Management Officer (CMO) of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) is the third-in-command of the department after the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense. The position's purpose is to reduce costs by improving the quality and productivity of DoD's business operations. The CMO's office contains six "reform leaders" in the areas of logistics and supply chains, real property, community services, human resources, and health care, and a Program Executive Officer for IT Business Systems. The office also oversees Washington Headquarters Services and Pentagon Force Protection Agency, and