
The Secretary of Homeland Security is a senior US government role that leads the third-largest department in the country, with a workforce of 260,000 employees and 22 components, including TSA, Customs and Border Protection, and the Coast Guard. The current secretary of homeland security is Kristi Noem, who was sworn in on January 25, 2025. The role is responsible for overseeing the execution of duties of the Department of Homeland Security, which include counterterrorism, cybersecurity, border security, and the administration and enforcement of immigration laws. The Department of Homeland Security is committed to engaging the skills and experience of the nation's veterans and is one of the top three agencies that hire the most veterans across the federal government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Secretary of Homeland Security | Kristi Noem |
| Date of Appointment | January 25, 2025 |
| Department Size | Third largest in the U.S. government |
| Number of Employees | 260,000 |
| Number of Components | 22 |
| Components | TSA, Customs and Border Protection, CISA, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, FEMA, the Coast Guard, Secret Service, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, and the Science and Technology Directorate |
| Responsibilities | Counterterrorism, cybersecurity, aviation security, border security, port security, maritime security, administration and enforcement of immigration laws, protection of national leaders |
| Veteran Employment | 25.3% of the DHS workforce |
| Veteran-Owned Business Contracts | $2.4 billion in FY 2022 |
| Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Contracts | $1.5 billion in FY 2022 |
| Veteran Support | Provides resources and services to assist military members, veterans, and their families |
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What You'll Learn
- The Secretary of Homeland Security leads the third-largest US government department, with 260,000 employees
- The Department of Homeland Security is committed to employing veterans and has over 52,000 in its workforce
- The Department of Homeland Security works with veteran service organizations to provide jobs and contracting opportunities for veterans
- The Department of Homeland Security provides immigration and naturalization services for veterans and their families
- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is a member of the Cabinet and is currently ranked 17th in the line of succession to the presidency

The Secretary of Homeland Security leads the third-largest US government department, with 260,000 employees
The Secretary of Homeland Security is a senior US government position that leads the third-largest government department in the country. The department has a workforce of 260,000 employees and 22 components, including the TSA, Customs and Border Protection, CISA, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Coast Guard. The Secretary is responsible for overseeing the execution of the duties of the Department of Homeland Security and is aided by the Office of the Secretary, which contains several offices and other elements of the DHS.
The Department of Homeland Security was established in 2006, and the position of Secretary was added to the line of succession to the presidency. The current secretary is Kristi Noem, who was sworn in on January 25, 2025, by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
The Department of Homeland Security is committed to engaging the skills and experience of veterans, with 25.3% of its workforce comprised of veterans. The department works to cultivate stronger relationships with the veteran community and regularly meets with veteran service organizations to share information about job and contracting opportunities. DHS has a Veterans Employment Council that provides leadership and assistance in developing veteran-related programs, promoting veteran outreach, recruitment, and retention.
The department also provides resources and services to assist military members, veterans, and their families, including immigration and naturalization applications. In 2021, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Secretary of Veteran Affairs Denis R. McDonough announced a new initiative to support noncitizen service members, veterans, and their families, including those seeking to return to the US after removal.
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The Department of Homeland Security is committed to employing veterans and has over 52,000 in its workforce
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to employing veterans and has over 52,000 in its workforce. This accounts for 24-25.3% of the entire civilian workforce of the department, in addition to the 44,800 active-duty members of the United States Coast Guard. The DHS is one of the three agencies that hire the most veterans across the federal government.
The DHS is dedicated to engaging the skills, talents, and experience of veterans. They highlight and recognize the contributions of veterans throughout the year and work to increase veteran employment and contracting opportunities. The department has a Veterans Employment Council that acts as an advisory group, providing leadership, recommendations, and assistance in the development of DHS veteran-related programs. The council promotes veteran outreach, recruitment, inclusive diversity, employment, and retention.
The DHS also works closely with veteran service organizations and military service organizations to share information about job and contracting opportunities. They were one of the first federal agencies to establish a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program, which provides retiring and transitioning service members with internship and training opportunities. The DHS is also an active participant in Operation Warfighter, a temporary assignment and internship program for service members convalescing at military treatment facilities.
In addition to employment initiatives, the DHS provides resources and services to assist military members, veterans, and their families. They are committed to ensuring that service members, veterans, and their families receive the benefits they are entitled to, including housing, education, and more. The DHS also offers support for noncitizen service members, veterans, and their families, including assistance with immigration and naturalization applications.
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The Department of Homeland Security works with veteran service organizations to provide jobs and contracting opportunities for veterans
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to engaging the skills, talents, and experience of veterans. DHS is one of the three agencies that hire the most veterans across the federal government. The department counts more than 52,000 veterans, 24% of its entire civilian workforce, among its employees, in addition to the 44,800 active-duty members of the United States Coast Guard. DHS has an established Veterans Employment Council that acts as an internal advisory group to provide leadership, recommendations, and assistance in the development of DHS veteran-related programs. The Council promotes veteran outreach and recruitment, inclusive diversity, employment and retention, and program evaluation, training, and best practices.
DHS works with veteran service organizations and military service organizations to share information about how veterans can find jobs and contracting opportunities at DHS and get involved in community-based efforts. For example, DHS was one of the first federal agencies to establish a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program, which provides retiring and transitioning service members with the opportunity to intern with DHS to obtain training while transitioning out of their military careers. DHS is also an active participant in Operation Warfighter, a temporary assignment and internship program developed by the Department of Defense for service members who are convalescing at military treatment facilities.
DHS awarded more than $2.4 billion in contracts to veteran-owned small businesses in fiscal year 2022, according to preliminary data. In addition, preliminary data shows that 6.8% of DHS’s total contracting dollars in FY 2022 went to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) – exceeding the Small Business Administration’s 3% target for the entire Federal government. This amounts to $1.5 billion in spend to SDVOSBs – the highest in the Department’s history. One way DHS is expanding these contracting opportunities is through the use of the Program Management, Administrative, Clerical, and Technical Service (PACTS) contract solution.
The Department of Homeland Security, along with the Department of Veterans Affairs, is committed to bringing back military service members, veterans, and their immediate family members who were unjustly removed and ensuring they receive the benefits to which they may be entitled. DHS provides resources and services to assist military members, veterans, and their families. As a U.S. military member or veteran, one may be eligible to apply for naturalization to become a U.S. citizen as well as other benefits and services.
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The Department of Homeland Security provides immigration and naturalization services for veterans and their families
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to engaging the skills, talents, and experience of veterans. DHS is one of the three agencies that hire the most veterans across the federal government. The department counts more than 52,000 veterans, in addition to the 44,800 active-duty members of the United States Coast Guard. DHS has an established Veterans Employment Council that serves as an internal advisory group to provide leadership, recommendations, and assistance in the development of DHS veteran-related programs. The Veteran Employment Council promotes veteran outreach and recruitment, inclusive diversity, employment and retention, and program evaluation, training, and best practices.
DHS works to cultivate a stronger relationship with the veteran community. It meets regularly with veteran service organizations and military service organizations to share information about how veterans can find jobs and contracting opportunities at DHS and get involved in community-based efforts. DHS was one of the first federal agencies to establish an MoU with the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program, which provides retiring and transitioning service members with internship opportunities. DHS also actively participates in Operation Warfighter, a temporary assignment and internship program for service members that are convalescing at military treatment facilities.
DHS awarded more than $2.4 billion in contracts to veteran-owned small businesses in FY 2022. Preliminary data shows that 6.8% of DHS’s total contracting dollars in FY 2022 went to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB), amounting to $1.5 billion in spend. DHS is expanding these contracting opportunities through the Program Management, Administrative, Clerical, and Technical Service (PACTS) contract solution.
DHS provides immigration and naturalization services for veterans and their families. Veterans and their families can seek information about returning to the U.S. after deportation or removal. They may be eligible to apply for naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). If they are current service members, they and their qualifying family members could complete the entire naturalization process outside the United States.
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The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is a member of the Cabinet and is currently ranked 17th in the line of succession to the presidency
The United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs is a member of the US Cabinet and is currently ranked 17th in the line of succession to the presidency. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is the head of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, which is concerned with veterans' benefits, healthcare, and national memorials and cemeteries. The position was last in the line of succession until the addition of the Department of Homeland Security in 2006.
The role of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is to lead and oversee the work of the Department of Veterans Affairs, ensuring that veterans receive the benefits and services they need. This includes managing a large budget and working with other government agencies and community organizations to coordinate services for veterans.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is also responsible for appointing key officials within the Department and setting the overall direction and priorities for the agency. The Secretary works closely with the President, Congress, and other government leaders to ensure that the needs of veterans are addressed and that the Department has the resources it needs to carry out its mission.
In addition, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs plays a crucial role in shaping policies and programs that affect veterans' lives, such as housing, education, and employment opportunities. The Secretary also oversees the administration of veterans' benefits, including disability compensation, pensions, and burial benefits.
The current Secretary of Veterans Affairs is Denis R. McDonough, who assumed the role in 2021. He works alongside the Secretary of Homeland Security, who is responsible for leading the Department of Homeland Security, which is the third-largest department in the US government. The Department of Homeland Security has a workforce of 260,000 employees and is responsible for areas such as counterterrorism, cybersecurity, border security, and immigration law enforcement. The current Secretary of Homeland Security is Kristi Noem, who was sworn into office on January 25, 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
The Secretary of Homeland Security leads the third-largest department of the US government, with a workforce of 260,000 employees and 22 components, including TSA, Customs and Border Protection, and the Coast Guard. The Secretary is responsible for overseeing the execution of the duties of the Department of Homeland Security and is in charge of counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and border security, among other areas.
The Department of Homeland Security is committed to engaging the skills and experience of US veterans and is one of the federal agencies that hire the most veterans. The department counts more than 52,000 veterans among its employees and has a Veterans Employment Council that promotes veteran outreach, recruitment, and retention. DHS also works with veteran service organizations to share information about job and contracting opportunities and offers programs like SkillBridge, which provides retiring service members with internships and training.
The two departments work together to support US service members, veterans, and their families. For example, in 2021, the secretaries of both departments announced a new initiative to support noncitizen service members, veterans, and their families, including those seeking to return to the US after removal. Veterans can also seek assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs through the VeteransCrisisLine.

























