The Defense Human Resources Activity is a field activity of the United States Department of Defense. It runs systems and programs for civilian personnel, identity, and related human-resource work across the department. It is an operating activity. It is not a military service and it does not command troops.
What the Activity Runs
- Civilian personnel systems. Records and transactions for the department’s civilian workforce.
- Identity and personnel security programs. Checks and credentials the department uses for its people.
- Shared services. Work done once for many components, rather than rebuilt inside each one.
A Field Activity and a Military Service
| Compared | The Activity | A Military Service |
| Workforce it serves | Civilian personnel systems and related programs | Uniformed members |
| Commands combat units | No | Yes |
| Where it sits | A department field activity | A service under the department |