U.S. Secretary of Defense

Secretary of Defense of the United States of America
Seal of the Department of Defense
Flag of the Secretary of Defense
Incumbent James Mattis since January 20, 2017
United States Department of Defense Office of the Secretary of Defense
Style	Mr. Secretary
Member of	Cabinet National Security Council
Reports to	The President
Seat	The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
Appointer	The President with Senate advice and consent
Term length	No fixed term
Constituting instrument	10 U.S.C. § 113 50 U.S.C. § 401
Precursor	Secretary of War and Secretary of the Navy
Inaugural holder	James Forrestal
Formation	September 19, 1947; 69 years ago (1947-09-19)
Succession	Sixth
Deputy	Deputy Secretary of Defense (principal deputy) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (military deputy)
Salary	$207,800 annually  (Executive Schedule I)
Website	www.defense.gov

The Secretary of Defense (SecDef) is the leader and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense, an Executive Department of the Government of the United States of America. The Secretary of Defense's power over the United States military is second only to that of the President. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in many other countries. The Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, and is by custom a member of the Cabinet and by law a member of the National Security Council.

Secretary of Defense is a statutory office, and the general provision in 10 U.S.C. § 113 provides that the Secretary of Defense has "authority, direction and control over the Department of Defense", and is further designated by the same statute as "the principal assistant to the President in all matters relating to the Department of Defense". Ensuring civilian control of the military, an individual may not be appointed as Secretary of Defense within seven years after relief from active duty as a commissioned officer of a regular (i.e., non-reserve) component of an armed force.