The chain of command leads from the President (as commander-in-chief) through the Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The secretary of defense is the leader and chief executive officer of the United States Department of Defense, the executive department of the Armed Forces of the U.S. The secretary of defense's position of command and authority over the U.S. military is second only to that of the president an…
Who is at the top of the army chain of command?
The President of the United States (POTUS) is at the top of the Army Chain of Command. Currently, President Joe Biden is the President of the United States. The Secretary of Defense is a defense policymaker, and he oversees the Defense Department. Lloyd J. Austin, a West Point graduate, is the current Secretary of Defense.
What happened to the chain of command in the military?
Under the Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958, the Departments of Army, Navy and Air Force were eliminated from the chain of "operational" command. Commanders of unified and specified commands now respond to the president and the secretary of defense through the joint chief of staff.
Who does the Secretary of Defense answer to?
The Secretary of Defense answers to the President of the United States. Also, the Secretary of Defense handles the military’s operation and administration. Currently, the Secretary of Defense is Christopher Miller, although it may change with a new President. The Secretary of the Navy is the highest rank in the US Navy’s chain of command.
How are forces assigned to combatant commands?
The secretaries of the military departments assign all forces under their jurisdiction to the unified and specific combatant commands to perform missions assigned by those commands. Under the Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958, the Departments of Army, Navy and Air Force were eliminated from the chain of "operational" command.
Who is head of the Department of Defense?
Lloyd AustinUnited States Secretary of DefenseIncumbent Lloyd Austin since January 22, 2021United States Department of Defense Office of the Secretary of DefenseStyleMr. Secretary (informal) The Honorable (formal)AbbreviationSecDef15 more rows
Who are the heads of the military?
Current members of the Joint Chiefs of StaffPositionNameChairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffGeneral Mark A. MilleyVice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffAdmiral Christopher W. GradyChief of Staff of the ArmyGeneral James C. McConvilleCommandant of the Marine CorpsGeneral David H. Berger4 more rows
Who is at the top of the chain of command in the US military?
the PresidentThe chain of command leads from the President (as commander-in-chief) through the Secretary of Defense down to the newest recruits.
Who is the chief in command of the military?
According to Article II, Section 2, Clause I of the Constitution, the president of the United States is “Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States.” Since the National Security Act of 1947, this has ...
Who is the highest rank in the military?
The highest military rank is O-10, or "five-star general." It is symbolized by five stars for each of the military services. Although it is currently a part of the military service rank system, no officer has been promoted to it since World War II, when the rank was created.
How is the Department of Defense organized?
The Department of Defense is composed of the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the military departments and the military services within those departments; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff; the unified and specified combatant commands; the Defense agencies; DOD field activities; and such ...
Is the secretary of defense in the chain of command?
The Act states that the operational chain of command runs from the President to the Secretary of Defense to the Unified Combatant Commanders.
Who is the only 6 star General?
So yes, there is an equivalent of a six-star general rank on the books in the US Military, but it has only been given to two people in history: John J. Pershing and George Washington, Generals of the Armies of the United States of America.
What is the highest rank in the US Army?
The highest rank attainable in the Army is the five-star General of the Army. Often called a "five-star general", the rank of General of the Army has historically been reserved for wartime use and is not currently active in the U.S. Army.
Who are the current 4 star generals?
United States ArmyPositionIncumbentService branchChief of Staff of the Army (CSA)General James C. McConvilleU.S. ArmyVice Chief of Staff of the Army (VCSA)General Randy A. GeorgeU.S. ArmyArmy commandsCommanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)General Andrew P. PoppasU.S. Army7 more rows
Who is in charge of the Army?
James C. McConvilleGen. James C. McConville assumed duties as the 40th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, Aug. 9, 2019, after most recently serving as the 36th Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.
Are there any 5 star generals?
In September 1950, Omar N. Bradley became the fifth Army general to be promoted to five-star rank. The five-star rank still exists, although no U.S. officers have held it since the death of General Bradley in 1981. The president may promote a general or admiral to five-star rank at any time, with Senate approval.
What are the 3 departments of military?
Beneath the Department of Defense are three subordinate military departments: the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force.
What is the chain of command of the military?
The President and the Secretary of Defense exercise authority and control of the Armed Forces through two distinct branches of the chain of command. One branch ( 10 U.S.C. § 162) runs from the President, through the Secretary of Defense, to the Unified Combatant Commanders for missions and forces assigned to their commands. The other branch, used for purposes other than operational direction of forces assigned to the Unified Combatant Commands, runs from the President through the Secretary of Defense to the Secretaries of the Military Departments, i.e., the Secretary of the Army ( 10 U.S.C. § 7013 ), the Secretary of the Navy ( 10 U.S.C. § 8013 ), and the Secretary of the Air Force ( 10 U.S.C. § 9013 ). The Military Departments, organized separately within the Department, operate under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of that Military Department. The Secretaries of the Military Departments exercise authority through their respective Service Chiefs (i.e., Chief of Staff of the Army, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Chief of Space Operations) over forces not assigned to a Unified Combatant Command. Except as otherwise prescribed by law, the Service Chiefs perform their duties under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretaries of their respective Military Departments, to whom they are directly responsible.
Who is the chain of command?
Chain of Command. The President of the United States is, according to the Constitution, the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces and Chief Executive of the Federal Government.
What is the President's command?
Article II Section 2 of the Constitution designates the President as "Commander in Chief" of the Army, Navy and state militias. The President exercises this supreme command authority through the civilian Secretary of Defense, who by federal law is the head of the department, has authority direction, and control over the Department of Defense, and is the principal assistant to the President in all matters relating to the Department of Defense. The Secretary's principal deputy is the equally civilian Deputy Secretary of Defense who is delegated full powers to act for the Secretary of Defense. The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is the Secretary and Deputy Secretary's civilian staff, which includes several Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries of Defense with functional oversight responsibilities. The Secretaries of the Military Departments (i.e. Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Navy, and Secretary of the Air Force) are subordinate to the Secretary of Defense. They have the authority under Title 10 of the United States Code to conduct all the affairs of their respective departments ( Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force) within which the military services are organized. Although subordinate to the Secretary of Defense, they are appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the President of the United States. As such, they cannot be removed from office by the Secretary of Defense, but can only be removed unilaterally by the President, or through impeachment by the Congress.
What is the Pentagon?
The Pentagon, headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. The United States Department of Defense (DoD) has a complex organizational structure. It includes the Army, Navy, the Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, the Unified combatant commands, U.S. elements of multinational commands (such as NATO and NORAD ), ...
What were the challenges to civilian control?
Also, on April 5, 1950, Representative Joseph William Martin, Jr., the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, released copies of a letter from MacArthur critical of President Harry S. Truman 's limited-war strategy to the press and read it aloud on the floor of the house. President Truman relieved MacArthur of command, and MacArthur then explored political options against Truman. The Revolt of the Admirals is another example in the same era of a challenge to civilian control.
Where is the Pentagon located?
The Pentagon Reservation in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., is the Department's headquarters. The Department is protected by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, which ensures law enforcement and security for the Pentagon and various other jurisdictions throughout the National Capital Region (NCR) .
Who exercises authority, direction, and control over the NGB?
For NGB matters pertaining to the Departments of the Army and Air Force's responsibilities in law or DoD policy, the Secretary of Defense normally exercises authority, direction, and control over the NGB through the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force.
What is the chain of command?
Military Chain of Command. Running from the president to the secretary of defense to the commander of the combatant command, the chain of command for the United States military is spelled out by the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986. The secretaries of the military departments assign all forces ...
Who assigns all forces to combatant commands?
If appropriate, other officials are invited. Secretaries of the Military Departments. • The secretary assigns all forces to combatant commands except those assigned to recruit, organize, supply, equip, train, service, mobilize, administer and maintain their respective forces.
What is the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
The Joint Chiefs of Staff. • Comprised of representatives of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. • They have no executive authority to command combatant forces. • Each of the chiefs is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Unified and Specified Operations.
Who does the commander of unified and specified commands respond to?
Commanders of unified and specified commands now respond to the president and the secretary of defense through the joint chief of staff. The act redefined the functions of the military departments to those of essentially organizing, training, equipping and supporting combat forces for the unified and specified commands. ...
What is the purpose of the secretaries of the military departments?
The secretaries of the military departments assign all forces under their jurisdiction to the unified and specific combatant commands to perform missions assigned by those commands. Under the Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958, the Departments of Army, Navy and Air Force were eliminated from the chain of "operational" command.
What is the Department of Defense?
The Department of Defense is America's largest government agency. With our military tracing its roots back to pre-Revolutionary times, the department has grown and evolved with our nation. Our mission is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security.
What do civilian defense decision makers do?
Top civilian defense decision-makers work with the secretary to develop policy, operational and fiscal plans, manage resources and evaluate programs.
What are the armed forces of the United States?
The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard are the armed forces of the United States. The Army National Guard and the Air National Guard are reserve components of their services and operate in part under state authority.
What is the Pentagon?
The Pentagon, with its iconic design, is the headquarters of the Department of Defense. Find out more about DOD’s mission and organization.
Who outranks all other officers in the armed forces?
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff outranks all other officers in the armed forces .
Who operates the military sealift command?
The Military Sealift Command is operated by the Navy for all armed services
What is the Navy's operating force?
The operating forces of the Navy are combat or combat-support oriented
Who can order the military before Congress declares war?
The President may order the armed forces into military action before Congress declares war.
Is the Marine Corps part of the Navy?
The United States Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy.
What is the Army chain of command?
To understand the Army chain of command, you must first know the Department of the Army falls under the Department of Defense of the United States of America. There is both an operational and institutional side to the chain of Command. Furthermore, the operational side covers the numbered armies, divisions, brigades, ...
What is the operational side of the chain of command?
There is both an operational and institutional side to the chain of Command. Furthermore, the operational side covers the numbered armies, divisions, brigades, battalions, and corps. Also, the institutional side of the Army supports the operational side. Related Article – Air Force Chain of Command.
What is SDDC in the military?
SDDC integrates global deployment and distribution for the Army and other branches of the military.
What is ATEC in the Army?
ATEC is a Direct Reporting Unit that handles the testing, operating, evaluations, and experiments of all Army Equipment.
What is the mission of the Army Space and Missile Defense?
The Army Space and Missile Defense’s mission is to develop and provide missile defense for the Army and allies.
How many commands does the Army have?
The chain of command begins with the President of the United States. Beyond the executive offices, the Army has four commands.
What is the highest possible rank in the Army?
Sergeant Major of the Army’s position is the highest possible position for an enlisted member of the Army.
What is the DoDEA chain of command?
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is a Department of Defense field activity operating under the direction and authority of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-aged ...
Where is DoDEA located?
DoDEA schools are located in Europe, the Pacific, Western Asia, the Middle East, Cuba, the United States, Guam, ...
Who is the commander in chief of the military?
The President of the United States (POTUS) is the Commander-in-Chief and is the top of the chain of command for all branches of the military.
Who handles the military's operation and administration?
Also, the Secretary of Defense handles the military’s operation and administration.
What Should a New Recruit Know About Navy Chain of Command?
A Navy recruit will memorize those at the top of the chain of command.
Why is the Navy free to focus on their missions?
Because the Navy has both operational and administrative sides, those who command fleets and task forces are free to focus on their combat-related missions.
How many component commands are there in the Navy?
Navy Chain of Command: Component Commands. The Navy has nine component commands, and the commanders handle the operations for each. From an organizational standpoint, commanders for the component command report to their assigned combatant commander.
What are the different combat commands?
Commanders of these commands issue orders to subordinates and subordinate components. Africa Command. Central Command. Cyber Command. European Command.
How many Fleet Commanders in Chief are there?
There are two Fleet Commanders-in-Chief who look after subordinate commanders.
Overview
Chain of Command
The President of the United States is, according to the Constitution, the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces and Chief Executive of the Federal Government. The Secretary of Defense is the "Principal Assistant to the President in all matters relating to the Department of Defense", and is vested with statutory authority (10 U.S.C. § 113) to lead the Department and all of its comp…
Components of the Department of Defense
Defense Agencies are established as DoD Components by law, the President, or the Secretary of Defense to provide for the performance, on a DoD-wide basis, of a supply or service activity that is common to more than one Military Department when it is determined to be more effective, economical, or efficient to do so, pursuant to sections 101, 191(a), and 192 of Title 10 of the United Sta…
Further reading
• Vego, Milan (1999). "Command and Control". In Chambers, John W.; Anderson, Fred (eds.). The Oxford companion to American military history. Oxford University Press. pp. 165–167. ISBN 978-0-19-507198-6.
Overview
The chain of command leads from the President (as commander-in-chief) through the Secretary of Defense down to the newest recruits. The United States armed forces are organized through the United States Department of Defense, which oversees a complex structure of joint command and control functions with many units reporting to various commanding officers. The following is an inco…
Secretary of Defense
• Secretary of Defense: Lloyd Austin
Office of the Secretary of Defense
• Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer
• Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics
• Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
Combatant commands
• Commander, USAFRICOM: General Stephen J. Townsend, USA
• Commander, USCENTCOM: General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., USMC
• Commander, USEUCOM: General Tod D. Wolters, USAF
• US Army Europe (USAREUR), 7th US Army
• Commander, USNORTHCOM: General Glen D. VanHerck, USAF
See also
• United States Army
• United States Marine Corps
• United States Navy
• United States Air Force
• United States Space Force
External links
• US Armed Forces Order of Battle - June 2008