United States Deputy Secretary of Defense

The Deputy Secretary of Defense (DEPSECDEF) is the second-highest ranking official in the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Deputy Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Deputy Secretary, by statute, must be a civilian, at least seven years removed from service as a commissioned officer on active-duty at the date of appointment.

The Deputy Secretary of Defense position is currently held by Ashton B. Carter.

History

Public Law 81-36, 2 April 1949, originally established this position as the Under Secretary of Defense, however Public Law 81-2 16, August 10, 1949, a.k.a. the 1949 Amendments to the National Security Act of 1947, changed the title to Deputy Secretary of Defense. Former Assistant to President Franklin D. Roosevelt Stephen Early became the first officer holder when he was sworn-in on May 2, 1949.

Public Law 92-596, October 27, 1972, established a Second Deputy Secretary of Defense position, with both deputies performing duties as prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. The second deputy position was not filled until December 1975. Robert F. Ellsworth, serving from December 23, 1975 until 10 January 1977, was the only one to ever hold that office. Public Law 95-140, 21 October 1977, the law establishing two Under Secretaries of Defense, abolished the second deputy position.

Responsibilities

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 of Defense on any and all matters for which the Secretary is authorized to act pursuant to statute or executive order. The Deputy Secretary is first in the line of succession to the Office of Secretary of Defense.

The typical role of the Deputy Secretary of Defense is to oversee the day-to-day business and management of the $500 billion plus Department of Defense, that is as its Chief Operating Officer, while the Secretary of Defense focuses on the big issues and advises the President. The Deputy Secretary, among the office's responsibilities, chairs the Senior Level Review Group (SLRG), before 2005 known as Defense Resources Board (DRB), and manages the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR).

List of Deputy Secretaries of Defense

See also

• Defense Acquisition Board
• Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee
• Deputy's Advisory Working Group, a panel chaired by the Deputy Secretary of Defense

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document "http://osdhistory.defense.gov/docs/DOD%20Key%20Officials%201947-2004.pdf".

• 10 U.S.C. § 132. Deputy Secretary of Defense, accessed on 2010-07-22.
• Department of Defense Key Officials 1947-2004, Historical Office, Office of the Secretary of Defense, pp. 11–13; available online
• Deputy Secretary of Defense position profile at Prunes Online

Notes

1. ^ As "Under Secretary of Defense"
2. ^ As "Deputy Secretary of Defense"
3. ^ Served as Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense