Organizations

There are various types of organizations throughout the Federal government.

• Cabinet departments
• Independent agencies
• Government corporations
• Executive commissions and boards
• Advisory bodies
• Administrative agencies
• Law enforcement and security agencies
• Regulatory agencies
• Military and defense agencies
• Social service and welfare agencies

Cabinet departments

These are the primary executive departments headed by a Cabinet member (Secretary in the U.S.) who is typically part of the president's or prime minister's Cabinet. Examples include:

• U.S. Department of State
• U.S. Department of Defense

Independent agencies

These agencies operate somewhat independently from Cabinet oversight but are still part of the executive branch. They often deal with regulatory or specialized functions:

• Federal Trade Commission
• National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Environmental Protection Agency

Government corporations

These are entities that operate more like businesses but are owned by the government. They provide services or manage certain operations that might otherwise be in the private sector:

• U.S. Postal Service
• Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation)

Executive commissions and boards

These might regulate specific industries or address particular issues:

• Securities and Exchange Commission
• Federal Communications Commission
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Advisory bodies

These agencies advise the executive on policy or specific issues:

• Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)
• National Security Council (NSC)

Administrative agencies

Agencies that manage day-to-day government operations:

• General Services Administration (GSA)
• Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Law enforcement and security agencies

Agencies focused on national security, law enforcement, and public safety:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Secret Service (SS)
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Regulatory agencies

These are tasked with creating and enforcing regulations in specific sectors:

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Military and defense agencies

Separate from the main defense department, these might handle specific aspects of defense:

• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
• National Security Agency (NSA)

Social service and welfare agencies

Agencies that administer social programs such as:

• Social Security Administration