Under Secretary of Defense for Policy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Under Secretary of Defense for Policy |
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![]() Seal of the Department of Defense
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United States Department of Defense Office of the Secretary of Defense |
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Style | Madam Under Secretary |
Reports to | Secretary of Defense Deputy Secretary of Defense |
Appointer | The President with Senate advice and consent |
Term length | No fixed term |
Formation | 1978 |
First holder | Stanley Rogers Resor |
Succession | 5th in SecDef succession |
Deputy | Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy |
Salary | Executive Schedule, level III |
The United States Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (often called USDP) is a very important civilian leader in the United States Department of Defense. This person helps and advises the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Their main job is to help create and guide all plans for America's safety and defense.
The President of the United States chooses the Under Secretary. The Senate must agree with the President's choice. Currently, Amanda J. Dory is the acting Under Secretary. She started this role on April 27, 2024.
Contents
- Understanding the Under Secretary's Role
- Key Teams Reporting to the Under Secretary
- Strategy, Plans, & Capabilities
- International Security Affairs
- Homeland Defense & Hemispheric Affairs
- Special Operations & Low Intensity Conflict
- Indo-Pacific Security Affairs
- Space Policy
- Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
- Defense Security Cooperation Agency
- Defense Technology Security Administration
- List of Under Secretaries of Defense for Policy
- Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
Understanding the Under Secretary's Role
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is key to how the Secretary of Defense makes decisions. This office helps create new policies, plan for the future, and manage resources. The Under Secretary holds a high rank in the government.
Key Teams Reporting to the Under Secretary
Several important teams work under the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. These teams focus on different areas of national security.
Strategy, Plans, & Capabilities
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities (ASD(SPC)) works on big-picture defense plans. This includes leading the National Defense Strategy. They also look at new military abilities and how to work with other countries.
- The team for Force Development helps decide how the military should grow. They make sure the armed forces have the right tools and training. This helps the military handle new challenges.
- The team for Global Partnerships creates policies for working with other countries. This includes helping nations in need.
- The team for Plans and Posture helps decide where U.S. forces should be around the world. They also plan for military operations.
- The team for Strategy helps write the country's main defense plan. They make sure that money spent on defense supports this plan.
International Security Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (ASD(ISA)) focuses on global safety. They create defense policies and manage programs with other countries. This includes working with nations in Europe, NATO, Russia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Western Hemisphere.
- The team for African Affairs advises on defense plans for Sub-Sahara Africa.
- The team for the Middle East advises on defense plans for the Middle East and North Africa.
- The team for Europe and NATO advises on defense plans for Europe and NATO.
- The team for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia advises on defense plans for these regions. This also includes agreements about weapons.
- The Secretary of Defense Representative works with the U.S. Mission to NATO.
- Another Secretary of Defense Representative works with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Homeland Defense & Hemispheric Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs (ASD(HD&HA)) handles security within the U.S. and nearby regions. This includes protecting against dangerous weapons and cyber attacks. They also plan for how the military helps during emergencies.
- The team for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction creates plans to protect against chemical, biological, and nuclear threats.
- The team for Homeland Defense Integration helps the military support civilian authorities. This means the military can help during disasters or other emergencies.
- The team for Defense Continuity and Mission Assurance develops plans for the government to keep working during a crisis. They also focus on protecting important national systems.
Special Operations & Low Intensity Conflict
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD(SO/LIC)) deals with special military operations. This includes fighting terrorism and other specific types of conflicts. They also oversee resources for these special missions.
- The team for Counternarcotics and Global Threats works on policies to stop illegal drugs and other worldwide dangers.
- The team for Stability and Humanitarian Affairs focuses on helping stabilize areas after conflict. They also lead efforts for humanitarian aid.
- The team for Special Operations and Combatting Terrorism creates policies for fighting terrorism and other specific military actions. They also oversee the United States Special Operations Command.
Indo-Pacific Security Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs (ASD(IPSA)) focuses on security in the Asia-Pacific region. They create defense policies and manage cooperation programs with countries there.
- The team for East Asia advises on defense plans for countries like Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.
- The team for China advises on defense plans and relations with China.
- The team for South and Southeast Asia advises on defense plans for countries like India, Indonesia, and Australia.
- The team for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia advises on defense plans for these nations.
Space Policy
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy (ASD(SP)) oversees military policies related to space. This includes how the military uses space for defense. They also advise the Secretary of Defense on cyber issues.
- The team for Nuclear and CWMD Policy advises on nuclear weapons policy and arms control. They also work on policies to counter weapons of mass destruction.
- The team for Cyber Policy advises on rules and plans for military activities in cyberspace.
- The team for Space and Missile Defense advises on policies for space and defense against missiles.
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
The Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency works to find and bring home U.S. military personnel. These are people listed as prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA) from past conflicts.
Defense Security Cooperation Agency
The Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency helps other countries. They provide financial and technical aid. They also help transfer defense equipment and offer training to allied nations.
Defense Technology Security Administration
The Director of the Defense Technology Security Administration creates rules for sharing defense technology. They make sure that sensitive defense goods and services are transferred safely to other countries.
List of Under Secretaries of Defense for Policy
No. | Portrait | Under Secretary | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Secretary of Defense | President | Ref(s) |
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1 | Stanley Rogers Resor | 14 August 1978 | 1 April 1979 | 230 days | Harold Brown | Jimmy Carter | - | |
2 | Robert Komer | 24 October 1979 | 20 January 1981 | 1 year, 88 days | Harold Brown | Jimmy Carter | - | |
3 | Fred Iklé | 2 April 1981 | 19 February 1988 | 6 years, 323 days | Caspar Weinberger Frank Carlucci |
Ronald Reagan | - | |
4 | Paul Wolfowitz | 15 May 1989 | 19 January 1993 | 3 years, 249 days | Dick Cheney | George H. W. Bush | - | |
5 | Frank G. Wisner | 6 July 1993 | 9 June 1994 | 338 days | Les Aspin William Perry |
Bill Clinton | - | |
6 | Walter B. Slocombe | 15 September 1994 | 19 January 2001 | 6 years, 126 days | William Perry William Cohen |
Bill Clinton | - | |
- | Peter F. Verga Acting |
20 January 2001 | 16 July 2001 | 177 days | Donald Rumsfeld | George W. Bush | - | |
7 | Douglas J. Feith | 16 July 2001 | 8 August 2005 | 4 years, 23 days | Donald Rumsfeld | George W. Bush | - | |
8 | Eric S. Edelman | 9 February 2006 | 20 January 2009 | 2 years, 346 days | Donald Rumsfeld Robert Gates |
George W. Bush | - | |
9 | Michèle Flournoy | 9 February 2009 | 3 February 2012 | 2 years, 359 days | Robert Gates Leon Panetta |
Barack Obama | ||
9 | James N. Miller | 18 February 2012 | 8 January 2014 | 1 year, 324 days | Leon Panetta Chuck Hagel |
Barack Obama | - | |
- | Michael D. Lumpkin Acting |
9 January 2014 | 23 June 2014 | 165 days | Chuck Hagel | Barack Obama | - | |
10 | Christine Wormuth | 23 June 2014 | 10 June 2016 | 1 year, 353 days | Chuck Hagel Ash Carter |
Barack Obama | - | |
- | Brian P. McKeon Acting |
10 June 2016 | 20 January 2017 | 224 days | Ash Carter | Barack Obama | - | |
- | Theresa Whelan Acting |
20 January 2017 | 7 June 2017 | 138 days | James Mattis | Donald Trump | ||
- | Robert Karem Acting |
7 June 2017 | 27 October 2017 | 142 days | James Mattis | Donald Trump | - | |
- | David Trachtenberg Acting |
27 October 2017 | 8 January 2018 | 73 days | James Mattis | Donald Trump | - | |
11 | John Rood | 9 January 2018 | 28 February 2020 | 2 years, 50 days | James Mattis Mark Esper |
Donald Trump | - | |
- | James Anderson Acting |
1 March 2020 | 10 November 2020 | 254 days | Mark Esper | Donald Trump | ||
- | Anthony Tata Acting |
10 November 2020 | 20 January 2021 | 71 days | Christopher C. Miller (acting) | Donald Trump | ||
- | Amanda J. Dory Acting |
20 January 2021 | 28 April 2021 | 98 days | Lloyd Austin | Joe Biden | - | |
12 | Colin Kahl | 28 April 2021 | 17 July 2023 | 2 years, 80 days | Lloyd Austin | Joe Biden | - | |
- | Sasha Baker Acting |
18 July 2023 | 26 April 2024 | 283 days | Lloyd Austin | Joe Biden | - | |
- | Amanda J. Dory Acting |
27 April 2024 | Incumbent | 1 year, 65 days | Lloyd Austin | Joe Biden | - |
Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
The Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (PDUSD(P)) is the main helper to the Under Secretary. This role was created in 1992. The PDUSD(P) gives advice to the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and the Under Secretary. This advice covers national security plans and military strategies.
No. | Portrait | Deputy Under Secretary | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Secretary of Defense | President | Ref(s) |
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1 | I. Lewis Libb | 12 August 1992 | 10 January 1993 | 151 days | Paul Wolfowitz Dick Cheney |
George H. W. Bush | - | |
2 | Walter B. Slocombe | 1 June 1993 | 14 September 1994 | 1 year, 105 days | Les Aspin William J. Perry |
Bill Clinton | - | |
3 | Jan M. Lodal | 3 October 1994 | 30 September 1998 | 3 years, 362 days | William J. Perry William S. Cohen |
Bill Clinton | - | |
4 | James M. Bodner | 1 October 1998 | 19 January 2001 | 2 years, 110 days | William S. Cohen | Bill Clinton | - | |
5 | Stephen A. Cambone | 25 July 2001 | 1 July 2002 | 341 days | Donald H. Rumsfeld | George W. Bush | - | |
5 | Christopher Ryan Henry | 7 February 2003 | August 2008 | ~5 years, 190 days | Donald H. Rumsfeld Robert M. Gates |
George W. Bush | - | |
- | Peter F. Verga Acting |
August 2008 | 1 April 2009 | ~229 days | Robert M. Gates | George W. Bush Barack Obama |
- | |
6 | James N. Miller | 2 April 2009 | 24 May 2012 | 3 years, 52 days | Robert M. Gates | Barack Obama | - | |
7 | Kathleen Hicks | 24 May 2012 | 2 July 2013 | 1 year, 39 days | Chuck Hagel | Barack Obama | - | |
8 | Brian P. McKeon | 28 July 2014 | 10 June 2016 | 1 year, 318 days | Ash Carter | Barack Obama | - | |
- | David B. Shear Acting |
10 June 2016 | 20 January 2017 | 224 days | Ash Carter | Barack Obama | - | |
9 | David Trachtenberg | 27 October 2017 | 19 July 2019 | 1 year, 265 days | James Mattis | Donald Trump | - | |
- | James Anderson Acting |
23 July 2019 | 24 April 2020 | 276 days | Mark Esper | Donald Trump | - | |
- | Daniel R. Green Acting |
24 April 2020 | 8 June 2020 | 45 days | Mark Esper | Donald Trump | - | |
10 | James Anderson | 8 June 2020 | 10 November 2020 | 155 days | Mark Esper | Donald Trump | - | |
- | Thomas M. Williams Acting |
10 November 2020 | 20 January 2021 | 71 days | Christopher C. Miller (acting) | Donald Trump | - | |
- | Jennifer C. Walsh Acting |
20 January 2021 | 28 April 2021 | 98 days | Lloyd Austin | Joe Biden | - | |
- | Amanda J. Dory Acting |
29 April 2021 | 23 August 2021 | 116 days | Lloyd Austin | Joe Biden | - | |
- | Mara Karlin Acting |
23 August 2021 | 14 February 2022 | 175 days | Lloyd Austin | Joe Biden | - | |
11 | Sasha Baker | 14 February 2022 | 26 April 2024 | 2 years, 72 days | Lloyd Austin | Joe Biden | - | |
- | Melissa Dalton Acting |
26 April 2024 | 29 May 2024 | 33 days | Lloyd Austin | Joe Biden | - | |
- | Cara L. Abercrombie Acting |
29 May 2024 | Incumbent | 1 year, 33 days | Lloyd Austin | Joe Biden | - |