the Combatant Commanders
secretaries
Secretary of defense and the president
the Secretaries of the Military Departments and then to the Service Chiefs
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.
Yes, the Secretary of Defense is part of both the operational and administrative chains of command. In the operational chain, the Secretary oversees the military forces and is responsible for their readiness and deployment. In the administrative chain, the Secretary manages defense policy, budgetary matters, and the overall organization of the Department of Defense. This dual role ensures that military operations align with national security objectives and that the armed forces are effectively managed.
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.