Secretary of defense and the president
secretaries
the Combatant Commanders
The Secretary of Defense reports to the President of the United States.
Cabinet
The president selects the nominees for his cabinet, including the secretary of defense.
President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Energy.
President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Energy.
President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Energy.
The Secretary of Defense, like all cabinet members, is appointed by the President, not elected.
The Secretary of Defense during the Carter Administration was Harold Brown.
President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Energy.