JAKARTA, sketsa.id – In a surprising turn of events, US President Donald Trump has announced plans to change the name of the US Department of Defense back to its original title: the Department of War. The move, expected to take effect in the coming weeks, harks back to the nation’s earliest days under its first president, George Washington.

But why was the Department of War created in the first place? Its origins are deeply rooted in America’s struggle for independence and its need to assert itself on the global stage.

A New Nation’s Fight for Survival
After winning independence in 1776, the young United States faced immediate threats—especially from Britain, which still held significant military power in North America. The founding fathers knew that without a structured military body, the nation’s hard-won freedom could be easily lost.

So, on August 7, 1789, the Department of War was established. Its main job? To oversee the Army, manage fortifications, weapons, and troop training. This was America’s way of making sure it could defend itself against foreign invasions and maintain internal stability.

From Expansion to World Power
Throughout the 1800s, as the US expanded westward and engaged in conflicts like the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War, the Department of War became even more essential. It was the nerve center for military strategy, recruitment, and infrastructure.

But after World War II, things changed. With the National Security Act of 1947, the Department of War was transformed into the Department of Defense a shift in name that reflected a broader mission: not just waging war, but ensuring global security and building international military partnerships.

What’s in a Name?
The original name, “Department of War,” symbolized a young nation’s gritty resolve to survive and grow. Its return—if realized—would be more than symbolic. It would signal a dramatic shift in how the US views its role in the world: assertive, historic, and unafraid to embrace the language of strength.

Whether this change will stick—or how it will be received at home and abroad—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the story of this department is the story of America itself.(*)