| Title | Secretary of Defense / Deputy Secretary of Defense |
| Description | The Secretary of Defense is the principal defense policy advisor to the President. Under the direction of the President, the Secretary exercises authority, direction, and control over the Department of Defense. The Deputy Secretary, the second-highest ranking official in the DoD, is delegated full power and authority to act for the Secretary and to exercise the powers of the Secretary on any and all matters for which the Secretary is authorized to act. |
| Child Offices | Military Departments
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff/Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Unified Combatant Commands
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| Keywords | civilian leaders, Defense Department, Defense Secretary, DoD, military, Secretary of Defense |
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