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Defense
Key Officials
September 1947–JUNE 2019
Historical Office
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Introductory Note
This compilation, prepared by the Historical Office of the Office of the Secretary
of Defense (OSD), presents information about the Department of Defense (DoD)
organization and its key officials since its establishment in 1947.
The scope of the work is a Department-wide listing of senior officials, but it does not
purport to be comprehensive. “Key Officials” is not official terminology, nor is this
a top-down listing of officials in order of precedence or reporting authority. It lists
both presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed (PAS) as well as non-PAS officials.
It includes civilian officials in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the military
departments as well as the top leadership of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the
Combatant Commands, and certain DoD field activities and Defense agencies.
This compilation includes titles of some official positions that have been superseded
by new titles or organizational changes. The text indicates all instances where this has
occurred. Where an official position has a direct lineal predecessor with a similar scope
of functions, the prior position is either included with the current position or the text
indicates where the prior position can be found elsewhere in the publication.
In most entries, the effective date of incumbency is either the swearing-in date or initial
appointment date. Officials assume office after being appointed to the positions, usually
followed by a ceremonial swearing in days or weeks later. Dates of DoD directives
establishing the responsibilities of positions and prescribing functions may appear
months or sometimes years later. Human resources personnel records, especially for
the first several decades of the Department, are imperfect. Offices are often without
a permanent appointee for periods ranging from days to years. During many of these
periods, there are officials in an “acting” or a “performing the duties of ” capacity. In
other instances, there is no indication of an acting official, and a time gap is evident.
Since the enactment of the Federal Vacancies Act of 1998, as amended, designation of
acting officials and the statutory limitations on how long they are authorized to use the
designation of “acting” is more closely managed.
This edition corrects errors that appeared in the 2004 edition and brings the information
up to date (as of June 2019). Please call any errors that appear in this publication to the
attention of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Historical Office. Updates to this
compilation are available at history.defense.gov.
Introductory Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PL 92-596, 27 October 1972, established a second Deputy position, with both Deputies performing duties as
prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. The second deputy position was not filled until December 1975. PL
95-140, 21 October 1977, the law establishing two Under Secretaries of Defense, abolished the second Deputy
position.
By delegation, the Deputy Secretary of Defense has full power and authority to act for the Secretary of Defense
and to exercise the powers of the Secretary on any and all matters for which the Secretary is authorized to act
pursuant to the law.
*Filled the position of Second Deputy Secretary of Defense, created by PL 92-956 in 1972 but not previously filled. Position was
abolished by PL 95-140, 21 October 1977.
A. Army
KENNETH C. ROYALL . . . . . 18 SEPTEMBER 1947–27 APRIL 1949
• Served in U.S. Army in World Wars I and II
• Practicing lawyer, 1919–1942
• Under Secretary of War, 9 November 1945–18 July 1947
• Secretary of War, 19 July 1947–17 September 1947
GORDON GRAY . . . . . . . . . . . 20 JUNE 1949–12 APRIL 1950
• Served in U.S. Army, 1942–1945
• Publishing and radio, 1935–1947
• Assistant Secretary of the Army, 1947–1949
• Special Assistant to the President, 1950
FRANK PACE JR. . . . . . . . . . 12 APRIL 1950–20 JANUARY 1953
• Served in U.S. Army Air Forces, 1942–1946
• Assistant Director and then Director of the Bureau of the Budget, 1948–1950
ROBERT T. STEVENS . . . . . . 4 FEBRUARY 1953–20 JULY 1955
• Served in U.S. Army in World Wars I and II
• J.P. Stevens and Company, Inc., 1921–1942, 1945–1953
WILBER M. BRUCKER . . . . . 21 JULY 1955–20 JANUARY 1961
• Served with National Guard on Mexican border in 1916 and with U.S. Army in
World War I
• Practicing lawyer
• Governor of Michigan, 1930–1932
• Counsel of the Department of Defense, 1954–1955
ELVIS J. STAHR JR. . . . . . . . 24 JANUARY 1961–30 JUNE 1962
• Served in U.S. Army in World War II
• Practicing lawyer
• Special Assistant to Secretary of the Army, 1951–1952
• President, University of West Virginia, 1959–1961
CYRUS R. VANCE . . . . . . . . . 5 JULY 1962–27 JANUARY 1964
• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 28 January 1964–30 June 1967 (see profile in part
III, Deputy Secretaries of Defense)
STEPHEN AILES . . . . . . . . . . . 28 JANUARY 1964–1 JULY 1965
• Practicing lawyer
• Counsel to U.S. Economic Mission to Greece, 1947
• Under Secretary of the Army, 1961–1964
22 DoD Key Officials
Secretaries of the Military Departments
B. Navy
JOHN L. SULLIVAN . . . . . . . . 18 SEPTEMBER 1947–24 MAY 1949
• Served in U.S. Navy in World War I
• Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, 1940–1944
• Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air, 1945–1946
• Under Secretary of the Navy, 1946–1947
C. Air Force
W. STUART SYMINGTON . . . 18 SEPTEMBER 1947–24 APRIL 1950
• Served in U.S. Army, 1918
• Surplus property administrator, 1945–1946
• Assistant Secretary of War for Air, 1946–1947
THOMAS K. FINLETTER . . . 24 APRIL 1950–20 JANUARY 1953
• Served in U.S. Army, 1917–1919
• Special Assistant to the Secretary of State, 1941–1944
• Consultant to the U.S. delegation at the United Nations Conference in 1945
• Chairman of the President’s Air Policy Commission, 1947–1948
• U.S. Ambassador to NATO, 1961–1965
HAROLD E. TALBOTT . . . . . 4 FEBRUARY 1953–13 AUGUST 1955
• Served in U.S. Army, 1918
• Aviation industry executive, 1911–1942
DONALD A. QUARLES . . . . . 15 AUGUST 1955–30 APRIL 1957
• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 1 May 1957–8 May 1959 (see profile in part III,
Deputy Secretaries of Defense)
JAMES H. DOUGLAS JR. . . 1 MAY 1957–11 DECEMBER 1959
• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 11 December 1959–24 January 1961 (see profile in
part III, Deputy Secretaries of Defense)
DUDLEY C. SHARP . . . . . . . . 11 DECEMBER 1959–20 JANUARY 1961
• Served in U.S. Navy, 1942–1945
• Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, 1955–1959
The 1949 amendments to the National Security Act of 1947 established the position of Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, to be appointed from the regular officers of the Armed Services for a term of 2 years with
eligibility for a second 2-year term. The Chairman presided over the meetings of the JCS but did not have a vote.
Moreover, he was not authorized to exercise military command over the JCS or any of the military services. The
amendments also increased the size of the Joint Staff to 210 officers.
In 1952, PL 82-416 authorized the Commandant of the Marine Corps to meet with the JCS as a coequal
whenever any matter of concern to the Marine Corps was under consideration. Subsequently, PL 95-485 (20
October 1978) made the Commandant a permanent and fully participating member of the JCS.
Reorganization Plan No. 6 of 1953 made the selection and tenure of members of the Joint Staff subject to the
approval of the Chairman and gave him management control of the Joint Staff. The Department of Defense
Reorganization Act of 1958 increased the Joint Staff to 400 officers and limited their tours of duty to 3 years
except in time of war. The act specified that the Joint Staff “shall not operate or be organized as an overall
Armed Forces General Staff and shall have no executive authority.” The 1958 act also gave the Chairman a vote
in JCS meetings.
Congress in PL 90-22 (5 June 1967) set the terms of the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps
at 4 years, with provision for possible reappointment for 4 years in time of war or emergency.
The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 prescribed the most important
changes in the JCS organization since 1947. It increased the responsibilities of the Chairman, naming him
the principal military adviser to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense
and prescribing a 2-year term with possibility of two additional terms (other than during wartime, when there
would be no limitation). The Chairman’s responsibilities included assisting the President in providing strategic
direction of the Armed Forces, preparing strategic plans and joint logistic and mobility plans, and advising the
Secretary of Defense on requirements, programs, and budgets, particularly a budget proposal for activities of
each unified and specified combatant command.
The act created the position of Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to rank after the Chairman and ahead
of all other officers of the Armed Forces and to come from a service other than that of the Chairman. The Vice
Chairman could participate in meetings of the JCS, although he was not a member. In the absence or disability
of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman would replace him. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
1993, PL 102-484 (23 October 1992) made the Vice Chairman a full member of the JCS. The National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, P.L. 112-81 (31 December 2011) made the Chief of the National Guard
Bureau a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
While not a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Director of the Joint Staff (DJS) was established by the
1947 National Security Act and was to be appointed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to perform such duties as
directed by the Joint Chiefs. With the passage of the 1949 National Security Act Amendments and the creation
of the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chairman, after consultation with the other members
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and with the approval of the Secretary of Defense, appoints the DJS. The Director
assists the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in fulfilling his responsibilities as the principal military adviser
to the President and Secretary of Defense by developing and providing strategic direction, policy guidance
and planning focus to the Joint Staff and by fostering clear communication among the President, Secretary of
Defense, unified commands, and services.
The National Defense Authorization Act for 1994, PL 103-160, 30 November 1993, established the position of Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. The National Defense Authorization Act for 1995, PL 103-337,
raised the Comptroller to Under Secretary/Comptroller. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003,
PL 107-314, 2 December 2002, established the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, as amended by the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-91, reestablished an Under Secretary of Defense for Research
and Engineering and an Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. The Deputy Secretary
of Defense’s 13 July 2018 memorandum finalized an organizational structure for the Department of Defense’s
acquisition organization between the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Under
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
The six current Under Secretary positions are listed by order of precedence.
PL 95-140, 21 October 1977, created the position of Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering)
to replace the Director of Research and Engineering (see part IX.B.7, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense
Positions, Research and Engineering, for predecessors of this position). It was succeeded by the Under
Secretary of Defense (Acquisition) in 1986.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, as amended by the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-81, reestablished the position of Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering. As codified at section 133a of United States Code Title 10 and finalized in
the Deputy Secretary of Defense’s 13 July 2018 memorandum, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research
and Engineering serves as the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of
Defense on all research and engineering, and as the chief technical officer of the Department with the mission of
advancing technology and innovation.
This position was established by PL 99-348 in 1986 as the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition) and
by DoD Directive 5134.1, 10 February 1987. The title changed to Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition
and Technology) in NDAA Fiscal Year (FY) 1994 (PL 103-160), 30 November 1993. The National Defense
Authorization Act for FY 2000 (PL 106-65), 5 October 1999, redesignated the position as the Under Secretary of
Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics). Appointee served as the principal assistant to the Secretary of
Defense for research and development, production, procurement, logistics, and military construction.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, as amended by the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-81, created the position of Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment, and disestablished the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition,
Technology, and Logistics. As codified at section 133b of United States Code Title 10 and finalized in the
Deputy Secretary of Defense’s 13 July 2018 memorandum, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and
Sustainment serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on acquisition and sustainment in the Department.
C. Policy
This position was established in PL 95-140 (21 October 1977), and its duties were enumerated in DoD Directive
5111.1 (27 October 1978). The Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) is the principal adviser to the Secretary of
Defense for all matters pertaining to the formulation of national security and defense policy and the integration
and oversight of DoD policy and plans to achieve national security objectives.
This position is an upgrade of the position of Comptroller from Assistant Secretary to Under Secretary level by
NDAA FY95 (PL 103-337, 5 October 1994). (See part IX.B.4, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions,
Comptroller, for predecessors of this position.) According to DoD Directive 5118.03, the Under Secretary of
Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer is the Principal Staff Assistant and advisor to the Secretary of
Defense for budgetary and financial matters.
The National Defense Authorization Act for FY94 (PL 103-160, 30 November 1993) created the position
of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. On 17 March 1994, DoD Directive 5124.02
established the position to incorporate the functions of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management
and Personnel) and authorized authority over the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs) and the
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs). (See part IX.B.6, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense
Positions, Manpower, for predecessors of this position.) The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness is the Principal Staff Assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense for Total Force management;
National Guard and Reserve Component affairs; health affairs; readiness and training; military and civilian
personnel requirements; language; dependents’ education; equal opportunity; morale, welfare, recreation; and
quality-of-life matters.
F. Intelligence
The position was established by the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003,
PL 107-314 (2 December 2002). The Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) was authorized to perform
such duties and exercise such powers in the intelligence area as prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. (See
part IX.B.3, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions, Command, Control, Communications, and
Intelligence, for predecessors of this position.) According to DoD Directive 5143.01, the Under Secretary
of Defense (Intelligence) is the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy
Secretary of Defense regarding intelligence, counterintelligence, security, sensitive activities, and other
intelligence-related matters.
*Not comprehensive; listing order is alphabetical and does not reflect order of succession
This position was established by NDAA FY08, PL 110-181 (28 January 2008). The Deputy Secretary of Defense
served as the Chief Management Officer of the Department of Defense and was assisted in this capacity by
a Deputy Chief Management Officer. The Secretary assigned such duties and authorities to the Deputy Chief
Management Officer as were necessary for that official to assist the Chief Management Officer to effectively and
efficiently organize the business operations of the Department of Defense. The office was established on 9 October
2008 and was governed by DOD Directive 5105.82, 17 October 2008. Congress further stipulated in Section 904
of NDAA FY09, PL 110-417 (14 October 2008) that the Deputy Chief Management Officer should serve as Vice
Chairman of the Defense Business Systems Management Committee (DBSMC) and act as Chairman in the Deputy
Secretary’s absence. Effective October 2001, the Defense Business Council is the subordinate governance board
to the Deputy’s Management Action Group (DMAG) regarding the management of the Department’s business
operations in accordance with DoD Directive 5105.79. The DBC is co-chaired by the DCMO of the Department
of Defense and the DoD Chief Information Office. The Deputy Secretary merged a number of senior leadership
bodies with the DMAG, including the DBSMC, in late 2011. The Deputy Chief Management Officer ranked in
precedence just after the Under Secretaries and was paid at the same rate (Level III of the Executive Schedule.
NOTE: Level III of the Executive Schedule is a separate publication).
Position established 24 September 1983 by the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1984, PL 98-94
(24 September 1983), and by DoD Directive 5141.2, 2 April 1984. Director is the principal staff assistant
and adviser to the Secretary of Defense on operational test and evaluation matters, ensuring effectiveness and
suitability of U.S. weapon systems and equipment.
Position established by title by Reorganization Plan No. 6 of 1953 and by DoD Directive 5145.01, 24 August
1953. Position derived from one of the original three Special Assistants to the Secretary (1947) and the Assistant
Secretary of Defense (Legal and Legislative Affairs), 1949–1953.
General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer of DoD, advising both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of
Defense on all legal matters and services. Develops the Department’s legislative program, establishes policy on
specific legal problems, maintains repository for all international agreements of the Department, and serves as
director of the Defense Legal Services Agency.
The Department of Defense Authorization Act of 1983, PL 97-252, 8 September 1982, and DoD Directive
5106.1, 14 March 1983, established the Office of the Department of Defense Inspector General. This position
replaced the office of Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Review and Oversight, established in April 1981
to check fraud, waste, and abuse in procurement. That position and the Defense Audit Service, created in 1976,
were dissolved when the Office of the Inspector General began operations in May 1983.
The Inspector General is an independent official who coordinates policies and makes recommendations to further
economy and efficiency in administration. The Inspector General keeps the Secretary of Defense and Congress informed
about problems relating to the administration of programs and the possibility of corrective action following investigation.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-91, renamed Principal Deputy Under
Secretary of Defense to Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, as amended by the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-91, reestablished the position of Under Secretary of Defense for
Research and Engineering. The NDAA for FY18 renamed the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense to
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense and designated a Deputy Under Secretary for Research and Engineering.
Established as a statutory position, originally named Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition) by
NDAA FY87, PL 99-661 (14 November 1986). Later, reflecting the change in the title of the Under Secretary
of Defense (Acquisition), this official became the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and
Technology). The position was designated Principal Deputy Under Secretary (Acquisition, Technology, and
Logistics) by DoD Directive 5134.14 (29 December 2010).
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, as amended by the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-81, created the position of Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition and Sustainment and disestablished the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition,
Technology, and Logistics. The NDAA for FY18 replaced the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics with a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and
Sustainment.
C. Policy
Established by the National Defense Authorization Act for 1992–1993, PL 102-190 (5 December 1991).
Designated Principal Deputy Under Secretary by DoD Directive 5111.03 (8 December 1999).
Position established by law as one of five Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense positions in NDAA
FY10, PL 11-84 (28 October 2009).
Position established by NDAA FY02, PL 107-107 (28 December 2001). DoD Directive 5124.08, 16 July 2003,
added the word Principal to this official title.
F. Intelligence
Position established by law as one of five Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense positions in NDAA
FY10, PL 11-84 (28 October 2009).
1. Acquisition
2. Asian and Pacific Security Affairs
3. Energy, Installations, and Environment
4. Health Affairs
5. Homeland Defense and Global Security
6. International Security Affairs
7. Legislative Affairs
8. Sustainment
9. Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs
10. Readiness
11. Manpower and Reserve Affairs
12. Special Operations and Low-intensity Conflict
13. Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities
1. Acquisition
Position established by Section 906(b) of NDAA FY10, PL 111-84 (28 October 2009) to serve as principal
adviser to the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and
Logistics on matters relating to acquisition.
The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Asian and Pacific Security Affairs) is the principal adviser to the Under
Secretary of Defense (Policy) and the Secretary of Defense on international security strategy and policy issues
of interest to DoD that relate to the governments and defense establishments of the nations and international
organizations within the Asia-Pacific region. Also responsible for oversight of security cooperation programs
and foreign military sales programs within the regions under its supervision, in close cooperation with U.S.
Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command. Represents the Department of Defense in interagency policy
deliberations and international negotiations related to the Asia-Pacific region. This position was established
under the authority of United States Code, Title 10, section 138, at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense.
after region.
On 19 December, 2014, the position merged with the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and
Environment when the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law. In addition to its prior
responsibilities, the position is to create policies to improve facility energy efficiency, increase renewable energy
use on U.S. installations and operations, promote energy security, and manage environmental compliance,
conservation, and clean-up programs.
John Conger (Performing the duties of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 December 2014–20 January 2017
Lucian Niemeyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017-Present
4. Health Affairs
Dr. David Smith (Performing the duties of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017–23 August 2017
Thomas McCaffery (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 August 2017–Present
As a result of the reorganization of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) announced in
September 2006, the position was renamed Assistant Secretary of Defense (Homeland Defense and Americas’
Security Affairs), connoting its responsibilities for North and South American security issues.
*McHale was called to active duty by the Marine Corps and deployed to Afghanistan December 2006–July
2007. No one was formally named as acting ASD in his absence.
In order to comply with Section 906 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, Secretary
Hagel eliminated the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Global Security Affairs) position. Responsibility for
cyberspace, space, and countering weapons of mass destruction policies were transferred to Homeland Defense
and the position was renamed Assistant Secretary of Defense (Homeland Defense and Global Security) when the
nominee was confirmed.
7. Legislative Affairs
8. Sustainment
The National Defense Authorization Act for FY00, PL 106-65 5 October 1999), created the position of Deputy
Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness as a second Deputy Under Secretary reporting
to the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics). Congress intended to emphasize the
importance of these functions by making this position the top adviser to the Secretary of Defense and the Under
Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) on logistics and materiel readiness issues. Position
retitled from Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Logistics and Materiel Readiness) in NDAA FY10, PL 111-84
(28 October 2009), as part of an overall effort to limit the number of Deputy Under Secretary positions.
As part of the restructuring of the acquisition, technology, and logistics reorganization as mandated by section
901 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, the position of Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness was replaced with the position of Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Sustainment.
10. Readiness
The Deputy Secretary of Defense established this position in a memorandum of May 23, 2011. The Assistant
Secretary of Defense (Readiness and Force Management) is responsible for developing policies, providing advice,
and making recommendations to the Under Secretary and Principal Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and
Readiness) and the Secretary in the areas of civilian and military personnel policy, readiness of the force, and
military community and family policy. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary of Defense is responsible for allocating
assigned resources and providing oversight of subordinate activities, including the Department of Defense
Education Activity and the Defense Commissary Agency. One of five discretionary ASDs.
These positions are grouped by function for ease of finding comparable positions that may or may not have
similar names.
1. Administration
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Administration and Public Affairs)
Position established as one of the three Assistant Secretary posts authorized by the amendments to the National
Security Act, PL 81-216, 10 August 1949.
2. Civil Defense
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Civil Defense)
Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958, 1 July 1958, transferred to the President the civil defense functions formerly
assigned to the Federal Civil Defense Administration. The President delegated these functions to the Secretary
of Defense by Executive Order 10952, 20 July 1961. Position created 31 August 1961, and abolished 1 April
1964.
4. Comptroller
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)
The position originally was one of three Assistant Secretaries of Defense created by the 1949 amendments to
the National Security Act of 1947. The Comptroller is the chief Defense Department official for budgetary and
fiscal matters and the Chief Financial Officer. The function was previously performed by one of three special
assistants created by the National Security Act of 1947.
5. Public Affairs
Assistant to the Secretary (Director, Office of Public Information)
Position established by the Secretary of Defense on 14 July 1948.
6. Manpower
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower and Personnel)
Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall established this position in late 1950, when he abolished the position
of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Administration and Public Affairs). In September 1955, the position was
redesignated Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Personnel, and Reserve), and in 1961, Assistant
Secretary of Defense (Manpower). PL 90-168, the Reserve Forces Bill of Rights and Vitalization Act, 1 January
1968, changed the title to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).
8. Security Policy
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Regional Security Affairs)
Established on 6 July 1993 by DoD Directive 5111.7. Principal assistant and adviser to the Under Secretary of
Defense (Policy) for the coordination of regional security strategy and policy and political-military policy on issues
relating to foreign governments and their defense establishments, excluding states of the former Soviet Union.
Director of Installations
Position created by PL 82-534, 14 July 1952.
Frank Creedon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 August 1952–29 June 1953
Position abolished by Reorganization Plan No. 6, 30 June 1953, and functions transferred to Assistant Secretary
of Defense (Properties and Installations).
The CIO is the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense
on the policy and oversight of information resources management, to include matters related to information
technology, network defense, and network operations. (See also section IX.B.3.)
Position established in 1973 to serve as the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Secretary and Deputy
Secretary of Defense on net assessment matters. According to Defense Directive 5111.11, the Director shall
develop and coordinate net assessments of the standing, trends, and future prospects of U.S. military capabilities
and military potential in comparison with those of other countries or groups of countries so as to identify
emerging or future threats or opportunities for the United States.
A. Current Commands
B. Disestablished Commands
Defense’s authority, direction, and control over the Director, DIA. DoD Directive 5105.21, 18 March 2008.
Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, USA
Established by DoD Directive 5105.71, 8 March 2004. Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under
Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. Deputy Secretary of Defense’s memorandum, 13 July 2018.
Established by DoD Directive 3030.1, 29 November 1978. Director serves as executive director of the
Economic Adjustment Committee. Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense
for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations,
and Environment. DoD Directive 3030.01, 5 March 2006.
Established 1 October 1977. The Director oversees a broad range of administrative, management, and common
support services, including human resources and security clearance services, facilities and facility operations,
information technology (IT) capabilities and services, financial management, acquisition and contracting, and
secure communications. The Director also provides oversight of designated DoD-wide statutory and regulatory
programs, supporting DoD Components and other federal entities as directed and assigned. DoD directive
5110.04, 27 March 2013 is currently in coordination within the Department to reflect changes in the reporting
authority. Under the authority, direction and control of the DCMO in a reorganization effective 11 July 2014.
DoD Directive 5110.04, 27 March 2013.