In 2002, there were 3,350 active duty military personnel and 1,219 civilian personnel stationed in South Dakota, almost all of whom were at Ellsworth Air Force Base, near Rapid City, the state's only defense installation. South Dakota firms received more than $118 million in federal defense contracts in 2002.
According to the 2000 Census, 79,370 veterans were living in the state, including 14,709 from World War II; 11,738 from the Korean conflict; 22,660 from the Vietnam era; and 9,821 from 1990–2000 (including the Persian Gulf War). Veterans' benefits totaled nearly $283 million during 2002.
In 2000, the South Dakota Highway Patrol employed 153 full-time sworn officers.