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chairman of the joint chiefs
principle military advisors
director of homeland security and chairmain of joint chief of staff
The Speaker of the House. The "Order of Succession" in the US Govt is as follows: President Vice President Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense. Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary of Homeland Security Following the last position above would be the top military commander/s.
That depends on the president and his situation. He may depend on the Secretary Defense or he may have a favorite general that he trusts. As a rule, the Secretary of Defense gives advice on forming and equipping the military whereas the chiefs of staff are planners of strategy and military operations.
Chairman of the joint chiefs of staff
As I understand the US Military system the heads of Army, Navy, and Air Force are appointed by the Secretary of Army, Secretary of Navy and Secretary of Air Force.
The Secretary of Defense is the major department head with authority over the US military. The Secretary of Defense is a civilian appointed by the President and is responsible for the overall management and direction of the Department of Defense, which includes the branches of the military.
NO he is elected by the people. Remember the principle of "Civilian control of the Military" meaning that the military is the responsibility of the elected civilian officers. I.E. President of the United States of America and the Secretary of Defense
The US National Security Council consists of the President, Vice-President and administration members tasked with national security responsibilities. The statutory members are President of the United States Vice President of the United States Secretary of State Secretary of Defense Secretary of Energy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (military advisor) Director of National Intelligence (intelligence advisor) Director of National Drug Control Policy (drug policy advisor) Other attendees may include: National Security Advisor White House Chief of Staff Deputy National Security Advisor Attorney General Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Homeland Security White House Counsel Assistant to the President for Economic Policy Ambassador to the United Nations Director of Office of Management and Budget Homeland Security Advisor
The secretary of war (now the secretary of defense) has this duty. He has lots of help from the military officers and Congressional committees.
Speaker of the House of Representatives President Pro Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary of Homeland Security