Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 6400.04E
June 27, 2013
Incorporating Change 1, Effective October 18, 2013
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: DoD Veterinary Public and Animal Health Services
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This directive:
a. Reissues DoD Directive (DoDD) 6400.4 (Reference (a)) to establish policy and assign
responsibilities for veterinary public and animal health services in accordance with the authority
in DoDD 5136.01 (Reference (b)).
b. Designates the Secretary of the Army as the DoD Executive Agent (EA) for DoD
Veterinary Public and Animal Health Services in accordance with DoDD 5101.1 (Reference (c)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This directive applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in
this directive as the “DoD Components”).
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy to:
a. Provide, in support of military planning, operations, and force health protection,
veterinary and public health services focused on:
(1) Food protection to ensure wholesome subsistence.
(2) Veterinary clinical medicine and diagnostic laboratory capabilities in support of DoD
working animals; military communities and families; and DoD Components’ research,
development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) and training.
b. Provide Army veterinary service personnel (including veterinarians and veterinary food
safety officers) with relevant training and specialization to plan and deliver food protection,
