Robert Gates.
The Secretary of Defense, or SecDef, is the head of the Department of Defense. This position is currently held by former CIA Director Leon Panetta after Robert Gates retired on July 1, 2011.
The president
Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense, or SecDef, is the head of the Department of Defense. This position is currently held by former CIA Director Leon Panetta after Robert Gates retired on July 1, 2011.
Secretary of Defense
Secretary of Defense
The secretary of state. Currently, Hillary Clinton.
As of January 2011, it is Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
The President, because he is the head of a Cabinet department.
Robert Gates.
Robert Gates.
The United States Department of Defense is part of the executive branch of the United States government. The head of the Department of Defense is the Secretary of Defense, who is a member of the President's cabinet. Other countries have their own equivalents, which are usually presided over by a Minister of Defense.