In 2002, there were 2,974 active duty military personnel and 4,346 civilian personnel stationed in Rhode Island, most of whom were at the US Naval Education and Training Center and Naval War College in Newport. Rhode Island firms received more than $283 million in defense contracts during 2002.
According to the 2000 Census, there were 102,494 US veterans living in the state, of whom 25,187 saw military service during World War II; 13,548 in the Korean conflict; 27,967 during the Vietnam era; and 8,001 during 1990–2000 (including the Persian Gulf War). Veterans' benefits totaled approximately $226 million in 2002.
In 2000, the Rhode Island State Police employed 221 full-time sworn officers.