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Under Secretaries of Defense

Secretary of Defense of the
United States of America
United States Department of Defense Seal.svg
Seal of the Department of Defense
Flag of the United States Secretary of Defense.svg
James Mattis Official SECDEF Photo.jpg
Incumbent
James Mattis

since January 20, 2017
United States Department of Defense
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Style Mr. Secretary
Member of The 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
Secretary of the Navy
Inaugural holder James Forrestal
Formation September 17, 1947; 69 years ago (1947-09-17)
Succession Sixth
Deputy Deputy Secretary of Defense
Salary Executive Schedule, Level 1
Website 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.


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Wikipedia

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