4A. United States Armed Forces Flashcards
The Under Secretaries of Defense
Members:
- Comptroller
- Acquisition & Sustainment
- Policy
- Technology & Logistics
- Personnel & Readiness
- Intelligence
The Armed Forces Policy Council
Members:
- Secretary of Defense
- Under Secretaries of Defense for Acquisition/Sustainment
- Deputy Secretary of Defense
- Deputy Under Secretaries of Defense
- Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Chiefs of Staff
- Commandant of the Marine Corps
Role:
- Advises the SECDEF on broad defense policies
- Assists in matters requiring long range view
The Joint Chiefs of Staff
Members:
- . Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS)
- Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS)
- Commandant of the Marine Corps
Duties:
- Advise POTUS, SecDef, National Security Council
- Establish joint doctrine
- Provide strategic direction of U.S. Armed Forces
- Formulate policies for joint training
The Secretary of Defense
Position:
1. Civilian head of the DOD
Roles:
- Provides written policy guidance for DOD
- Principal policy advisor to the U.S. President
Appointed By:
- U.S. President
- The Senate
The Joint Staff
Command:
- Subordinate to Director of the Joint Staff
Roles:
- Assists member of the Joint Chiefs
Positions:
- Marines account for about 20% of Navy positions
Chain of Command
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Members:
1. U.S. President
2. Secretary of Defense
3-1. Combatant Commanders
3-2. Secretaries of Military Departments
Duties:
- Responsible for all lower levels
- Accountable to all higher levels
Key Phrases:
Command Authority - established levels of responsibility
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS)
Duties:
1. Principal military advisor to SECDEF, National Security Council, and POTUS
2. Oversees activities of Combatant Commands
Command:
1. Presides over the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Grade:
- General or Admiral
Department of Defense
Offices:
- Office of the SecDef
- Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- The Joint Staff
- The Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force
- Unified Combatant Commands
- Dedicated Forces
Mission:
- Provide military forces to deter war
- Protect security of our country
- Largest gov agency
The Public Law 99-433
Act:
1. Goldwater-Nichols DOD Reorganization Act of 1986
Authority:
1. Permits POTUS to authorize comms through CJCS
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS)
Position:
- Serves tour of 2 years
- May be reappointed for additional term
- Must be different branch than CJCS
- Appointed by POTUS/Senate
The Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman
Position:
1. Highest senior enlisted position in U.S. armed forces
Duties:
1. Advises CJCS on all matters for enlisted personnel
President of the United States (POTUS)
Authority:
- Subject to checks & balances of Legislative and Judicial branches
- Part of the Executive branch
The U.S. Constitution
Authority:
1. Establishes basic principle of civilian control of the U.S. Armed Forces
Director of the Joint Staff
- Manages the Joint Staff
