What type of units are the Air Force District of Washington (AFD) and the USAF Academy?

The Air Force District of Washington (AFD) and the USAF Academy are classified as Direct Reporting Units (DRUs). This designation indicates that these units report directly to a higher headquarters, typically the Secretary of the Air Force or the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, rather than being part of a Major Command (MAJCOM) structure.

DRUs typically have specific missions that require a level of autonomy and direct oversight, allowing them to operate outside the traditional MAJCOM hierarchy. The AFD, as a DRU, is tasked with overseeing various operations in the Washington, D.C. area, while the USAF Academy focuses on the education and training of future Air Force officers.

Other types of units mentioned, such as Major Commands, Numbered Air Forces, and Non-Component NAFs, do not accurately describe the organizational structure of AFD and the USAF Academy, as they either fall into a different reporting structure or have broader commands that include multiple subordinate units.