Material, especially cross references, relating to the organization of the Department of Defense (DOD), Secretaries James Schlesinger and Donald Rumsfeld, and general defense activities. Specific topics include presidential appointments of DOD officials; establishment of the DOD budget; legislation affecting DOD; speaking engagements by DOD personnel; presidential speeches, messages, and letters of commendation to DOD personnel; meetings at the White House with DOD officials; news conferences; possible closings of military bases; and the resignation of Schlesinger and appointment of Rumsfeld. Correspondence with the general public relates to the DOD budget, concern over the level of defense spending, status of base closures, and general views on the handling of American foreign policy.
