Our nation’s top civilian defense and military leaders work hard for the American people every day.
The secretary of defense is the primary advisor to the president on defense-related issues and is responsible for formulating and carrying out the general defense policy for the United States. The defense secretary is a member of the president’s Cabinet and the National Security Council.
The deputy secretary of defense is in charge of the Defense Department’s day-to-day business. The primary responsibility is managing the defense budget and executing the defense secretary’s priorities.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the nation’s highest-ranking military officer and the principal military advisor to the president, the secretary of defense and the National Security Council.
The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the nation's second-highest-ranking military officer, responsible for overseeing joint military requirements, representing the military in National Security Council deputies meetings, and performing other duties as directed by the chairman.