The DHA’s global workforce of almost 140,000 civilians and military personnel provides medical services to TRICARE beneficiaries and their dependents.

The United States Department of Defense established the DHA as part of a larger effort meant to reorganize its health care programs and services.

The reorganization was based in part on the recommendations of a task force that issued a report on the management of U.S. military health care in 2011.

[1] Under the old system, many aspects of military health care were managed by the individual armed services (Army, Navy, and Air Force).

Assistant Secretary Jonathan Woodson, M.D., established the DHA's organizational structure, including six directorates (see organization chart, right).