answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Other than the President (who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces), the most powerful DoD official is the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary is superior to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (the highest-ranking officers from each branch of the military). The current Secretary of Defense is Robert M. Gates, who was originally appointed by President George W. Bush after the firing of Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and was asked by President Barack Obama to continue as Secretary of Defense in the new administration.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

The U.S. secretary of defense oversees the country's Department of Defense, which is responsible for the country's concern with the armed services and military matters. The main job of the U.S. secretary of defense is to plan, develop and execute policies that concern the military affairs and national security of the country. Also, such an official is responsible for the department's resource management and fiscal and program evaluation.

The rest of the work is a very complicated process. It takes many leaders to mantain the rest of the defense services working. The command chain is a system whereby authority passes down from the top through a series of executive positions or military ranks in which each is accountable to the one directly superior.

The secretary reports to the President.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates is the current chief of the Department of Defense.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Robert Gates is the Secretary of Defense.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How is the Department of Defense run?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Who controls all decisions of the Department of Defense?

The Department of Defense is run by the Secretary of Defense.


What are the Secretary of defense responsibilities?

* to advise the President in the carrying out of defense policy * to run the Defense Department * to advise the President in the formation of defense policy


What is the nickname for the Department of Defense?

The Department of Defense is often referred to as The DOD.


What is the name of the cabinet department that is charge of the US military?

The Department of Defense is in charge of the U.S. military.


What was the original name for the Department of Defense?

What is now called the Department of Defense was originally named the Department of War.


What is the difference between the State Department and the Department of Defense?

The State Department deals with diplomacy while the Department of Defense affiliated with the military.


Who controls department of defense?

Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates is the current chief of the Department of Defense.


What department is once called the Department of War?

The department that was once called the Department of War is now known as the Department of Defense.


The US Department of Defense was originally called what?

The US Department of Defense was originally called the US War Department.


Are U.S. embassies part of the Department of Defense?

No. They are part of the state department.


What US department carries the responsibility for maintaining military competency and preparedness?

The US Department of Defense (DoD) carries the responsibility for maintaining military competency and preparedness. It is the department responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the military. The DoD is headed by the Secretary of Defense, who is a civilian appointed by the President.


Is the coastguard a part of department of defense?

The Coast Guard Reserve is NOT part of the Department of Defense.