Retired Maj. Brian R. Griffing, senior Marine instructor for Lejeune High School's MCJROTC program; Cadet Major Luke Arocha; and 1stSgt Laurevius Washington, senior enlisted Marine instructor, stand together as Arocha receives the 2025 United States Marine Corps Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement during a ceremony at the school in Camp Lejeune, N.C. DoDEA operates as a field activity of the Office of the Secretary of War. It is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and managing prekindergarten through 12th-grade educational programs for the Department of War. DoDEA operates 161 accredited schools in 9 districts in 11 foreign countries, seven states, Guam, and Puerto Rico, serving over 67,000 military-connected students. DoDEA Americas operates 50 accredited schools across two districts on 16 military installations, including Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard bases in seven states, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Committed to excellence in education, DoDEA fosters well-rounded, lifelong learners, equipping them to succeed in a dynamic world.