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United States Secretary of Defense
Flag of the United States Secretary of Defense.svg
Flag of the secretary
US Department of Defense seal.svg
Seal of the department
Pete Hegseth Official Portrait.jpg
Incumbent
Pete Hegseth

since January 25, 2025
United States Department of Defense
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Style Mr. Secretary (informal)
The Honorable (formal)
Abbreviation SecDef
Member of Cabinet
National Security Council
Reports to President of the United States
Seat The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia
Appointer The president
with Senate advice and consent
Term length No fixed term
Constituting instrument 10 U.S.C. § 113
Precursor Secretary of War
Secretary of the Navy
Formation September 17, 1947 (1947-09-17)
First holder James Forrestal
Succession Sixth
Deputy Deputy Secretary of Defense
Salary Executive Schedule, level I

The United States Secretary of Defense (often called SecDef) is the leader of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). This department manages the U.S. Armed Forces. The Secretary of Defense is a very important member of the President's Cabinet.

This person's power over the military is second only to the President. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the military. In many other countries, this job is called a "defense minister." The President chooses the Secretary of Defense. The Senate must then agree with the choice. By law, the Secretary of Defense is also part of the National Security Council.

To make sure civilians control the military, U.S. law has a special rule. The Secretary of Defense cannot have been an active military officer in the seven years before taking the job. For generals and admirals, this period is ten years. However, Congress can make an exception to this rule. This has happened three times for George C. Marshall Jr., James N. Mattis, and Lloyd J. Austin III.

The Secretary of Defense follows the President's orders. They are in charge of all parts of the Department of Defense. This includes the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force. The Coast Guard also falls under their command when it works with the Department of Defense.

Only the Secretary of Defense (or the President or Congress) can move forces between the different military departments. These departments are the Department of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. They also manage the eleven Unified Combatant Commands. Because the Secretary of Defense has so much power, some people call them the "deputy commander-in-chief." The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff gives military advice to the Secretary and the President. But the Chairman is not directly in the chain of command.

The Secretary of Defense is one of the four most important Cabinet members. The others are the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Attorney General. These jobs are important because their departments are very large and have big responsibilities.

The current Secretary of Defense is Pete Hegseth. President Donald Trump chose him for the job. The Senate approved him on January 25, 2025.

How the Job Started

Seal of the United States National Military Establishment (1947–1949)
Seal of the National Military Establishment (1947–1949)

The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps were created in 1775. This was during the American Revolution. The War Department was set up in 1789. It was led by the Secretary of War. This department was in charge of both the Army and Navy. Later, in 1798, a separate Department of the Navy was created.

After World War II, people wanted to manage the military better. The Army wanted more central control. The Navy preferred to keep things separate. The National Security Act of 1947 was a compromise. It changed the name of the War Department to the Department of the Army. It also added the Army and Navy departments to a new group called the National Military Establishment (NME). The act also made the United States Air Force its own branch, separate from the Army.

The new leader of the NME was called the Secretary of Defense. At first, each military branch still had its own secretary in the Cabinet. The first Secretary of Defense was James Forrestal. He had been the Secretary of the Navy and didn't want this new job. He found it hard to control the other branches because his office had limited power.

To fix this, the National Security Act was changed in 1949. This change brought the military branches closer together. It helped reduce competition between them. The secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force now reported directly to the Secretary of Defense. The National Military Establishment was renamed the Department of Defense. This made it one big Executive Department. The job of Deputy Secretary of Defense was also created then. This person is the second-in-command.

Since 1949, the Department of Defense has become more centralized. This means more power has gone to civilian leaders and defense-wide groups. The last big change to the rules was the Goldwater–Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986. This act made it more important for officers to serve in different branches. It became almost a requirement for high-ranking officers.

As mentioned, the Secretary of Defense is a civilian. This means they are not an active military member. A secretary must have been retired from military service for at least seven years. Congress can waive this rule. This has only happened three times since 1947. It happened for Army General George Marshall in 1950, Marine Corps General Jim Mattis in 2017, and retired Army General Lloyd Austin in 2021.

What the Secretary of Defense Does

DoD Organization December 2013
Department of Defense organizational chart (December 2013)

The Secretary of Defense is chosen by the President. The Senate must agree with the choice. By law, the Secretary is the head of the Department of Defense. They are the President's main helper for all defense matters. They have "authority, direction and control" over the entire department. The power of the Secretary comes from the Constitution. The Constitution gives military power to Congress and the President. Since they can't handle every detail, the Secretary of Defense and their team manage military matters.

As the head of the DoD, all officials, employees, and service members work "under" the Secretary of Defense. Some of the high-ranking officials include the secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It also includes the chiefs of staff for each military branch. All these important jobs need Senate approval.

The Department of Defense includes many parts. These are the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), and the Joint Staff (JS). It also has the Inspector General's Office. The Combatant Commands are also part of it. The military departments (Army, Navy, Air Force) are included too. There are also many Defense Agencies and other groups.

A document called Department of Defense Directive 5100.01 explains how the department is organized. It describes the main jobs of the department. The most recent version was signed in December 2010.

The Secretary's Office

The Secretary's main civilian staff is called the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). It includes the Deputy Secretary of Defense. There are also six under secretaries who handle different areas. These areas include buying equipment, research, money, intelligence, personnel, and policy. Many assistant secretaries and other directors also work here. The Secretary of Defense uses the Office of the Secretary of Defense to create the National Defense Strategy. This is a very important policy document.

The main military staff is called the Joint Staff (JS). It works under the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Awards and Honors

The Secretary of Defense gives out several awards to military personnel. These include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) and the Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM). Other awards are the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM), and the Joint Service Achievement Medal (JSAM). These are for service in joint duty assignments. The Joint Meritorious Unit Award (JMUA) is given to joint DoD groups.

The DDSM is the highest award given by the Secretary of Defense. Only the Secretary can approve it. Other awards can be approved by lower-ranking officials.

Recommendations for the Medal of Honor (MOH) go through the Secretary of Defense. The military department and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff must first support the recommendation. The Secretary of Defense must approve it before it goes to the President. The President is the final approver for the Medal of Honor.

The Secretary of Defense also approves the wearing of NATO medals. This is done with the agreement of the Secretary of State. These medals are given by the NATO Secretary General. They honor U.S. service members who meet NATO's requirements.

Working with Congress

As the head of the Department of Defense, the Secretary of Defense is the main person who talks to Congress. They speak to committees that watch over the department. The most important committees are the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). There are also the Senate Appropriations Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. These committees decide how much money the department gets.

For intelligence programs, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence are in charge.

Role in National Security

The Secretary of Defense is a required member of the National Security Council. They attend meetings with other important leaders. These include the Vice President, the Secretary of State, and the National Security Advisor. They help prepare and coordinate important issues. These issues are then brought to the full National Security Council meetings, led by the President.

Role in Military Justice

The Secretary of Defense is one of a few civilians who can act as a "convening authority" in the military justice system. This means they can start General Courts-Martial, Special Courts-Martial, and Summary Courts-Martial. The other civilians with this power are the President, the secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and the Secretary of Homeland Security (when the Coast Guard is under their department).

Salary

The Secretary of Defense earns a salary of US$246,400 per year. This is a Level I position in the Executive Schedule.

List of Secretaries of Defense

The person who served the longest as Secretary of Defense is Robert McNamara. He served for 7 years and 39 days. Donald Rumsfeld served the second longest, with two terms that added up to just ten days less than McNamara. The second-longest continuous term was by Caspar Weinberger, who served for 6 years and 306 days.

The shortest-serving Secretary of Defense was Elliot Richardson. He served for 114 days. He then became the U.S. Attorney General during the Watergate Scandal.

Before 1947, the military was managed by the Secretaries of the Navy and Secretaries of War.

Parties

      Democratic       Republican       Independent / Unknown

Status

     Denotes an acting secretary of defense

No. Image Name Start End Duration Party Home State President(s)
1 James Forrestal - SecOfDef.jpg Forrestal, JamesJames Forrestal September 17, 1947 March 28, 1949 1 year, 192 days Democratic  New York Truman, Harry S.Harry S. Truman
(1945–1953)
2 Louis Johnson official DoD photo.jpg Johnson, Louis A.Louis A. Johnson March 28, 1949 September 19, 1950 1 year, 175 days Democratic  West Virginia
3 General George C. Marshall, official military photo, 1946 (cropped).JPEG Marshall, George C.George C. Marshall September 21, 1950 September 12, 1951 356 days Independent  Pennsylvania
4 Robert A. Lovett cph.3a47036.jpg Lovett, Robert A.Robert A. Lovett September 17, 1951 January 20, 1953 1 year, 125 days Republican  New York
5 Charles Wilson official DoD photo.jpg Wilson, Charles ErwinCharles Erwin Wilson January 28, 1953 October 8, 1957 4 years, 253 days Republican  Michigan Eisenhower, Dwight D.Dwight D. Eisenhower
(1953–1961)
6 Neil McElroy official DoD photo.jpg McElroy, Neil H.Neil H. McElroy October 9, 1957 December 1, 1959 2 years, 53 days Republican  Ohio
7 Thomas S Gates Jr..jpg Gates Jr., Thomas S.Thomas S. Gates Jr. December 2, 1959 January 20, 1961 1 year, 49 days Republican  Pennsylvania
8 Robert McNamara 1-1.jpg McNamara, RobertRobert McNamara January 21, 1961 February 29, 1968 7 years, 39 days Republican  Michigan Kennedy, John F.John F. Kennedy
(1961–1963)
Johnson, Lyndon B.Lyndon B. Johnson
(1963–1969)
9 Clark Clifford photo portrait.jpg Clifford, ClarkClark Clifford March 1, 1968 January 20, 1969 325 days Democratic  Maryland Johnson, Lyndon B.Lyndon B. Johnson
(1963–1969)
10 Melvin Laird official photo.JPEG Laird, MelvinMelvin Laird January 22, 1969 January 29, 1973 4 years, 7 days Republican  Wisconsin Nixon, RichardRichard Nixon
(1969–1974)
11 ElliotLeeRichardson.jpg Richardson, ElliotElliot Richardson January 30, 1973 May 24, 1973 114 days Republican  Massachusetts
Clements Deputy DoD.jpg Clements, BillBill Clements
Acting
May 24, 1973 July 2, 1973 39 days Republican  Texas
12 James Schlesinger official DoD photo BW (cropped).jpg Schlesinger, James R.James R. Schlesinger July 2, 1973 November 19, 1975 2 years, 140 days Republican  Virginia Nixon, RichardRichard Nixon
(1969–1974)
Ford, GeraldGerald Ford
(1974–1977)
13 Rumsfeld Ford admin Secretary of Defense.jpg Rumsfeld, DonaldDonald Rumsfeld November 20, 1975 January 20, 1977 1 year, 61 days Republican  Illinois Ford, GeraldGerald Ford
(1974–1977)
14 Harold Brown photo portrait standing.jpg Brown, HaroldHarold Brown January 20, 1977 January 20, 1981 4 years, 0 days Democratic  California Carter, JimmyJimmy Carter
(1977–1981)
15 Caspar Weinberger official photo.jpg Weinberger, CasparCaspar Weinberger January 21, 1981 November 23, 1987 6 years, 306 days Republican  California Reagan, RonaldRonald Reagan
(1981–1989)
16 Frank Carlucci official portrait.JPEG Carlucci, FrankFrank Carlucci November 23, 1987 January 20, 1989 1 year, 58 days Republican  Virginia
William Howard Taft IV, Deptuty Secretary of Defense, official portrait.JPEG Taft IV, William HowardWilliam Howard Taft IV
Acting
January 20, 1989 March 21, 1989 60 days Republican  Ohio Bush, George H. W.George H. W. Bush
(1989–1993)
17 Secretary of Defense Richard B. Cheney, official portrait (cropped).jpg Cheney, DickDick Cheney March 21, 1989 January 20, 1993 3 years, 305 days Republican  Wyoming
18 Les Aspin official DoD photo.jpg Aspin, LesLes Aspin January 20, 1993 February 3, 1994 1 year, 14 days Democratic  Wisconsin Clinton, BillBill Clinton
(1993–2001)
19 William Perry official DoD photo (retouched).jpg Perry, WilliamWilliam Perry February 3, 1994 January 24, 1997 2 years, 356 days Democratic  Pennsylvania
20 William Cohen, official portrait (cropped).jpg Cohen, WilliamWilliam Cohen January 24, 1997 January 20, 2001 3 years, 362 days Republican  Maine
21 Rumsfeld1 (cropped).jpg Rumsfeld, DonaldDonald Rumsfeld January 20, 2001 December 18, 2006 5 years, 332 days
(7 years, 29 days total)
Republican  Illinois Bush, George W.George W. Bush
(2001–2009)
22 Robert Gates, official DoD photo portrait, 2006 (cropped).jpg Gates, RobertRobert Gates December 18, 2006 June 30, 2011 4 years, 194 days Republican  Texas Bush, George W.George W. Bush
(2001–2009)
Obama, BarackBarack Obama
(2009–2017)
23 Leon Panetta, official DoD photo portrait, 2011 (cropped).jpg Panetta, LeonLeon Panetta July 1, 2011 February 26, 2013 1 year, 240 days Democratic  California Obama, BarackBarack Obama
(2009–2017)
24 Chuck Hagel Defense portrait (cropped).jpg Hagel, ChuckChuck Hagel February 27, 2013 February 17, 2015 1 year, 355 days Republican  Nebraska
25 Ash Carter DOD Secretary Portrait (cropped).jpg Carter, AshAsh Carter February 17, 2015 January 20, 2017 1 year, 338 days Democratic  Massachusetts
26 James Mattis official photo (cropped).jpg Mattis, JimJim Mattis January 20, 2017 January 1, 2019 1 year, 345 days Independent  Washington Trump, DonaldDonald Trump
(2017–2021)
Patrick Shanahan (cropped).jpg Shanahan, Patrick M.Patrick M. Shanahan
Acting
January 1, 2019 June 23, 2019 173 days Independent  Washington
Mark T. Esper (cropped).jpg Esper, MarkMark Esper
Acting
June 24, 2019 July 15, 2019 21 days Republican  Virginia
Richard V. Spencer official photo (cropped).jpg Spencer, Richard V.Richard V. Spencer
Acting
July 15, 2019 July 23, 2019 8 days Republican  Wyoming
27 Dr. Mark T. Esper – Acting Secretary of Defense (cropped).jpg Esper, MarkMark Esper July 23, 2019 November 9, 2020 1 year, 109 days Republican  Virginia
Christopher C. Miller official portrait (cropped).jpg Miller, Christopher C.Christopher C. Miller
Acting
November 9, 2020 January 20, 2021 72 days Republican  Iowa
David L. Norquist – Deputy Secretary of Defense (cropped).jpg Norquist, DavidDavid Norquist
Acting
January 20, 2021 January 22, 2021 2 days Republican  Massachusetts Biden, JoeJoe Biden
(2021–2025)
28 Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, official portrait, 2023 (cropped).jpg Austin, LloydLloyd Austin January 22, 2021 January 20, 2025 3 years, 364 days Independent  Georgia
Official portrait of Robert Salesses.jpg Salesses, Robert G.Robert G. Salesses
Acting
January 20, 2025 January 25, 2025 5 days Independent  Rhode Island Trump, DonaldDonald Trump
(2025–present)
29 Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth official portrait (cropped).jpg Hegseth, PetePete Hegseth January 25, 2025 Incumbent 183 days Republican  Tennessee

Who Takes Over the Job

Presidential Succession

The Secretary of Defense is sixth in line to become President. This is called the presidential line of succession. They follow the Secretary of the Treasury. They come before the Attorney General.

Secretary's Succession

On December 10, 2020, President Donald Trump changed the order of who takes over if the Secretary of Defense cannot do their job. This order is:

# Office
1 Deputy Secretary of Defense
2* Secretary of the Army
Secretary of the Navy
Secretary of the Air Force
3 Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
4 Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security
5 Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
6 Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
7 Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)
8 Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
9 Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
10 Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security
11 Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
12 Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
13 Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)
14 Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
15* General Counsel of the Department of Defense
Assistant Secretaries of Defense
Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation
Director of Operational Test and Evaluation
Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense
16* Under Secretary of the Army
Under Secretary of the Navy
Under Secretary of the Air Force
17* Assistant Secretaries of the Army
Assistant Secretaries of the Navy
Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force
General Counsel of the Army
General Counsel of the Navy
General Counsel of the Air Force
*Order of Succession is determined by the seniority of officials in their role.

Related Topics

  • Base Realignment and Closure Commission
  • Boeing E-4
  • Challenge coin
  • Continuity of Operations Plan
  • Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee
  • Defense Support of Civil authorities
  • Designated survivor
  • Emergency Action Message
  • Global Command and Control System
  • Gold Codes
  • Key West Agreement
  • Military operation plan
  • National Command Authority (United States)
  • National Industrial Security Program
  • National Security Strategy (United States)
  • Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
  • Packard Commission
  • Permissive Action Link
  • Presidential Successor Support System
  • Quadrennial Defense Review
  • Rules of engagement
  • Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award
  • Single Integrated Operational Plan
  • State secrets privilege
  • Stop-loss policy
  • Two-man rule
  • Unconventional warfare (United States Department of Defense doctrine)
  • United States Foreign Military Financing
  • US Commission on National Security/21st Century

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Secretario de Defensa de los Estados Unidos para niños

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