[United States Government Manual]
[May 31, 1996]
[Pages 177-178]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



Joint Chiefs of Staff

Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Joint Chiefs of Staff consists of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff; the Vice Chairman; the Chief of Staff of the Army; the Chief 
of Naval Operations; the Chief of Staff of the Air Force; and the 
Commandant of the Marine Corps.
    The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the principal military 
adviser to the President, the National Security Council, and the 
Secretary of Defense. The other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are 
military advisers who may provide additional information upon request 
from the President, the National Security Council, or the Secretary of 
Defense. They may also submit their advice when it does not agree with 
that of the Chairman.
    Subject to the authority of the President and the Secretary of 
Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is responsible for:
    --assisting the President and the Secretary of Defense in providing 
for the strategic direction and planning of the Armed Forces;
    --allocating resources to fulfill strategic plans;
    --making recommendations for the assignment of responsibilities 
within the Armed Forces in accordance with and in support of those 
logistic and mobility plans;
    --comparing the capabilities of American and allied Armed Forces 
with those of potential adversaries;
    --preparing and reviewing contingency plans that conform to policy 
guidance from the President and the Secretary of Defense;
    --preparing joint logistic and mobility plans to support contingency 
plans; and
    --recommending assignment of logistic and mobility responsibilities 
to the Armed Forces to fulfill logistic and mobility plans.
    The Chairman advises the Secretary of Defense on critical 
deficiencies and strengths in force capabilities (including manpower, 
logistic, and mobility support) and assesses the effect of such 
deficiencies and strengths on meeting national security objectives and 
policy and on strategic plans. He establishes and maintains a uniform 
system for evaluating the preparedness of each unified combatant command 
to carry out assigned missions.
    The Chairman advises the Secretary of Defense on the priorities of 
the requirements identified by the commanders of the unified combatant 
commands and on the extent to which program recommendations and budget

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proposals of the military departments and other DOD components for a 
fiscal year conform with priorities established in requirements of the 
unified combatant commands. He is responsible for submitting to the 
Secretary alternative program recommendations and budget proposals with 
guidance provided by the Secretary, in order to achieve greater 
conformance with priorities established by the unified combatant 
commands. The Chairman also advises the Secretary on the extent to which 
major programs and policies of the Armed Forces in the area of manpower 
conform with strategic plans and assesses military requirements for 
defense acquisition programs.
    Additionally, the Chairman:
    --formulates doctrine and training policies and coordinates military 
education and training;
    --represents the United States on the Military Staff Committee of 
the United Nations;
    --performs such other duties as may be prescribed by law or by the 
President and the Secretary of Defense;
    --convenes and presides over regular meetings of the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff;
    --assists the Joint Chiefs in carrying on their business as promptly 
as practicable; and
    --schedules issues for consideration by the Joint Chiefs.
    The Chairman, while so serving, holds the grade of general or 
admiral and outranks all other officers of the Armed Forces.
    The Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs performs duties assigned by 
the Chairman, with the approval of the Secretary of Defense. The Vice 
Chairman acts as Chairman when there is a vacancy in the office of the 
Chairman, or in the absence or disability of the Chairman. The Vice 
Chairman, while so serving, holds the grade of general or admiral and 
outranks all other officers of the Armed Forces except the Chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Joint Staff

The Joint Staff under the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff assists 
the Chairman and, subject to the authority of the Chairman, the other 
members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in carrying out their 
responsibilities.
    The Joint Staff is headed by a Director who is selected by the 
Chairman in consultation with the other members of the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff, and with the approval of the Secretary of Defense. Officers 
assigned to serve on the Joint Staff are selected by the Chairman in 
approximate equal numbers from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air 
Force. The Joint Staff is composed of all members of the Armed Forces 
and civilian employees assigned or detailed to permanent duty to perform 
the functions assigned to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.