    [United States Government Manual]
    [June 01, 1999]
    [Pages 178-180]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Joint Chiefs of Staff

    The Joint Chiefs of Staff consist of the Chairman; 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;

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        --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
    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.

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