kids encyclopedia robot

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
Flag of the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense.svg
Flag of an Under Secretary of Defense
Seal of the United States Department of Defense.svg
Seal of the Department of Defense
Amanda J. Dory.jpg
Incumbent
Amanda J. Dory

since 27 April 2024
United States Department of Defense
Office of the Secretary of Defense
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.

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)
1
Stanley Rogers Resor
Stanley Rogers Resor 14 August 1978 1 April 1979 230 days Harold Brown Jimmy Carter -
2
Robert Komer
Robert Komer 24 October 1979 20 January 1981 1 year, 88 days Harold Brown Jimmy Carter -
3
Fred Iklé
Fred Iklé 2 April 1981 19 February 1988 6 years, 323 days Caspar Weinberger
Frank Carlucci
Ronald Reagan -
4
Paul Wolfowitz
Paul Wolfowitz 15 May 1989 19 January 1993 3 years, 249 days Dick Cheney George H. W. Bush -
5
Frank G. Wisner
Frank G. Wisner 6 July 1993 9 June 1994 338 days Les Aspin
William Perry
Bill Clinton -
6
Walter B. Slocombe
Walter B. Slocombe 15 September 1994 19 January 2001 6 years, 126 days William Perry
William Cohen
Bill Clinton -
-
Peter F. Verga
Peter F. Verga
Acting
20 January 2001 16 July 2001 177 days Donald Rumsfeld George W. Bush -
7
Douglas J. Feith
Douglas J. Feith 16 July 2001 8 August 2005 4 years, 23 days Donald Rumsfeld George W. Bush -
8
Eric S. Edelman
Eric S. Edelman 9 February 2006 20 January 2009 2 years, 346 days Donald Rumsfeld
Robert Gates
George W. Bush -
9
Michèle Flournoy
Michèle Flournoy 9 February 2009 3 February 2012 2 years, 359 days Robert Gates
Leon Panetta
Barack Obama
9
James N. Miller
James N. Miller 18 February 2012 8 January 2014 1 year, 324 days Leon Panetta
Chuck Hagel
Barack Obama -
-
Michael D. Lumpkin
Michael D. Lumpkin
Acting
9 January 2014 23 June 2014 165 days Chuck Hagel Barack Obama -
10
Christine Wormuth
Christine Wormuth 23 June 2014 10 June 2016 1 year, 353 days Chuck Hagel
Ash Carter
Barack Obama -
-
Brian P. McKeon
Brian P. McKeon
Acting
10 June 2016 20 January 2017 224 days Ash Carter Barack Obama -
-
Theresa Whelan
Theresa Whelan
Acting
20 January 2017 7 June 2017 138 days James Mattis Donald Trump
-
Robert Karem
Robert Karem
Acting
7 June 2017 27 October 2017 142 days James Mattis Donald Trump -
-
David Trachtenberg
David Trachtenberg
Acting
27 October 2017 8 January 2018 73 days James Mattis Donald Trump -
11
John Rood
John Rood 9 January 2018 28 February 2020 2 years, 50 days James Mattis
Mark Esper
Donald Trump -
-
James Anderson
James Anderson
Acting
1 March 2020 10 November 2020 254 days Mark Esper Donald Trump
-
Anthony Tata
Anthony Tata
Acting
10 November 2020 20 January 2021 71 days Christopher C. Miller (acting) Donald Trump
-
Amanda J. Dory
Amanda J. Dory
Acting
20 January 2021 28 April 2021 98 days Lloyd Austin Joe Biden -
12
Colin Kahl
Colin Kahl 28 April 2021 17 July 2023 2 years, 80 days Lloyd Austin Joe Biden -
-
Sasha Baker
Sasha Baker
Acting
18 July 2023 26 April 2024 283 days Lloyd Austin Joe Biden -
-
Amanda J. Dory
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)
1
I. Lewis Libb
I. Lewis Libb 12 August 1992 10 January 1993 151 days Paul Wolfowitz
Dick Cheney
George H. W. Bush -
2
Walter B. Slocombe
Walter B. Slocombe 1 June 1993 14 September 1994 1 year, 105 days Les Aspin
William J. Perry
Bill Clinton -
3
Jan M. Lodal
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
James M. Bodner 1 October 1998 19 January 2001 2 years, 110 days William S. Cohen Bill Clinton -
5
Stephen A. Cambone
Stephen A. Cambone 25 July 2001 1 July 2002 341 days Donald H. Rumsfeld George W. Bush -
5
Christopher Ryan Henry
Christopher Ryan Henry 7 February 2003 August 2008 ~5 years, 190 days Donald H. Rumsfeld
Robert M. Gates
George W. Bush -
-
Peter F. Verga
Peter F. Verga
Acting
August 2008 1 April 2009 ~229 days Robert M. Gates George W. Bush
Barack Obama
-
6
James N. Miller
James N. Miller 2 April 2009 24 May 2012 3 years, 52 days Robert M. Gates Barack Obama -
7
Kathleen Hicks
Kathleen Hicks 24 May 2012 2 July 2013 1 year, 39 days Chuck Hagel Barack Obama -
8
Brian P. McKeon
Brian P. McKeon 28 July 2014 10 June 2016 1 year, 318 days Ash Carter Barack Obama -
-
David B. Shear
David B. Shear
Acting
10 June 2016 20 January 2017 224 days Ash Carter Barack Obama -
9
David Trachtenberg
David Trachtenberg 27 October 2017 19 July 2019 1 year, 265 days James Mattis Donald Trump -
-
James Anderson
James Anderson
Acting
23 July 2019 24 April 2020 276 days Mark Esper Donald Trump -
-
Daniel R. Green
Daniel R. Green
Acting
24 April 2020 8 June 2020 45 days Mark Esper Donald Trump -
10
James Anderson
James Anderson 8 June 2020 10 November 2020 155 days Mark Esper Donald Trump -
-
Thomas M. Williams
Thomas M. Williams
Acting
10 November 2020 20 January 2021 71 days Christopher C. Miller (acting) Donald Trump -
-
Jennifer C. Walsh
Jennifer C. Walsh
Acting
20 January 2021 28 April 2021 98 days Lloyd Austin Joe Biden -
-
Amanda J. Dory
Amanda J. Dory
Acting
29 April 2021 23 August 2021 116 days Lloyd Austin Joe Biden -
-
Mara Karlin
Mara Karlin
Acting
23 August 2021 14 February 2022 175 days Lloyd Austin Joe Biden -
11
Sasha Baker
Sasha Baker 14 February 2022 26 April 2024 2 years, 72 days Lloyd Austin Joe Biden -
-
Melissa Dalton
Melissa Dalton
Acting
26 April 2024 29 May 2024 33 days Lloyd Austin Joe Biden -
-
Cara L. Abercrombie
Cara L. Abercrombie
Acting
29 May 2024 Incumbent 1 year, 33 days Lloyd Austin Joe Biden -
kids search engine
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.