U.S.C. Title 10 - ARMED FORCES

Sec.

161.

Combatant commands: establishment.

162.

Combatant commands: assigned forces; chain of command.

163.

Role of Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.

164.

Commanders of combatant commands: assignment; powers and duties.

165.

Combatant commands: administration and support.

166.

Combatant commands: budget proposals.

166a.

Combatant commands: funding through the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.

166b.

Combatant commands: funding for combating terrorism readiness initiatives.

167.

Unified combatant command for special operations forces.

[167a.

Repealed.]

167b.

Unified combatant command for cyber operations.

[168, 169.

Repealed.]

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Prior to enactment of this chapter by Pub. L. 99–433, provisions relating to combat commands were contained in section 124 of this title.

Amendments

2019—Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVI, §1601(b)(1), title XVII, §1731(a)(9), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1722, 1812, inserted period at end of item 169 "Subordinate unified command of the United States Strategic Command" and then struck it out.

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §812(a)(1)(B), title XVI, §1601(a)(2), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1846, 2103, struck out item 167a "Unified combatant command for joint warfighting experimentation: acquisition authority" and added item 169.

2016—Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title IX, §923(b), title XII, §1253(a)(2)(A), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2358, 2532, added item 167b and struck out item 168 "Military-to-military contacts and comparable activities".

2003—Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VIII, §848(a)(2), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1555, added item 167a.

2001—Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title XV, §1512(b), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1273, added item 166b.

1994—Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XIII, §1316(a)(2), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2899, added item 168.

1991—Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title IX, §902(b), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1451, added item 166a.

1986—Pub. L. 99–500, §101(c) [title IX, §9115(b)(2)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–82, 1783–124, and Pub. L. 99–591, §101(c) [title IX, §9115(b)(2)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–82, 3341–124; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, §1311(b)(2), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3985, amended analysis identically adding item 167.

Pub. L. 99–433, title II, §211(a), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1012, added chapter 6 heading and analysis.

§161. Combatant commands: establishment

(a) Unified and Specified Combatant Commands.—With the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the President, through the Secretary of Defense, shall—

(1) establish unified combatant commands and specified combatant commands to perform military missions; and

(b) Periodic Review.—(1) The Chairman periodically (and not less often than every two years) shall—

(A) review the missions, responsibilities (including geographic boundaries), and force structure of each combatant command; and

(B) recommend to the President, through the Secretary of Defense, any changes to such missions, responsibilities, and force structures as may be necessary.

(2) Except during time of hostilities or imminent threat of hostilities, the President shall notify Congress not more than 60 days after—

(B) significantly revising the missions, responsibilities, or force structure of an existing combatant command.

(1) The term "unified combatant command" means a military command which has broad, continuing missions and which is composed of forces from two or more military departments.

(2) The term "specified combatant command" means a military command which has broad, continuing missions and which is normally composed of forces from a single military department.

(3) The term "combatant command" means a unified combatant command or a specified combatant command.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XII, §1251(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2053, provided that: "The combatant command known as the United States Pacific Command shall be known as the 'United States Indo-Pacific Command'. Any reference to the United States Pacific Command in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be considered to be a reference to the United States Indo-Pacific Command."

Matters To Be Considered in Next Assessment of Current Missions, Responsibilities, and Force Structure of Unified Combatant Commands

Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title IX, §905, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2619, required the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to consider, as part of the next periodic review after Sept. 23, 1996, pursuant to subsec. (b) of this section: (1) whether there was an adequate distribution of responsibilities among the regional unified combatant commands; (2) whether fewer or differently configured commands would permit the United States to better execute warfighting plans; (3) whether any assets or activities were redundant; (4) whether warfighting requirements were adequate to justify current commands; (5) whether exclusion of certain nations from the Areas of Responsibility presented difficulties with respect to national security objectives in those areas; and (6) whether the boundary between the United States Central and European Commands could create command conflicts in the context of a major regional conflict in the Middle East.

Initial Review of Combatant Commands

Pub. L. 99–433, title II, §212, Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1017, set out 10 areas to be covered in first review of missions, responsibilities, and force structure of unified combatant commands under subsec. (b) of this section, and directed that first report to President be made not later than Oct. 1, 1987.

Executive Documents

Disestablishment of United States Joint Forces Command

Memorandum of President of the United States, Jan. 6, 2011, 76 F.R. 1977, provided:

Pursuant to my authority as Commander in Chief and under 10 U.S.C. 161, I hereby accept the recommendations of the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and approve the disestablishment of United States Joint Forces Command, effective on a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense. I direct this action be reflected in the 2010 Unified Command Plan.

Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 161(b)(2) and 3 U.S.C. 301, you are directed to notify the Congress on my behalf.

You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

Revisions to Unified Command Plan

The following presidential memoranda approved and directed the implementation of a revised Unified Command Plan and directed notification to Congress consistent with subsec. (b)(2) of this section:

Establishment of United States Space Command as a Unified Combatant Command

Memorandum of President of the United States, Dec. 18, 2018, 83 F.R. 65483, provided:

Pursuant to my authority as the Commander in Chief and under section 161 of title 10, United States Code, and in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I direct the establishment, consistent with United States law, of United States Space Command as a functional Unified Combatant Command. I also direct the Secretary of Defense to recommend officers for my nomination and Senate confirmation as Commander and Deputy Commander of the new United States Space Command.

I assign to United States Space Command: (1) all the general responsibilities of a Unified Combatant Command; (2) the space-related responsibilities previously assigned to the Commander, United States Strategic Command; and (3) the responsibilities of Joint Force Provider and Joint Force Trainer for Space Operations Forces. The comprehensive list of authorities and responsibilities for United States Space Command will be included in the next update to the Unified Command Plan.

Consistent with section 161(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code, and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, you are directed to notify the Congress on my behalf.

You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

§162. Combatant commands: assigned forces; chain of command

(a) Assignment of Forces.—(1) As directed by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretaries of the military departments shall assign specified forces under their jurisdiction to unified and specified combatant commands or to the United States element of the North American Aerospace Defense Command to perform missions assigned to those commands. The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that such assignments are consistent with the force structure prescribed by the President for each combatant command.

(2) A force not assigned to a combatant command or to the United States element of the North American Aerospace Defense Command under paragraph (1) shall remain assigned to the military department concerned for carrying out the responsibilities of the Secretary of the military department concerned as specified in section 7013, 8013, or 9013 of this title, as applicable.

(3) A force assigned to a combatant command or to the United States element of the North American Aerospace Defense Command under this section may be transferred from the command to which it is assigned only—

(4) Except as otherwise directed by the Secretary of Defense, all forces assigned to a unified combatant command shall be under the command of the commander of that command. The preceding sentence applies to forces assigned to a specified combatant command only as prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.

(b) Chain of Command.—Unless otherwise directed by the President, the chain of command to a unified or specified combatant command runs—

(Added Pub. L. 99–433, title II, §211(a), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1012; amended Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XIII, §1313, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1175; Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title VII, §711, Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 1997; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title X, §1073(a), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2657; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title IX, §924, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2358; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(a)(9), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1594; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1840.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "section 7013, 8013, or 9013" for "section 3013, 5013, or 8013".

2017—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 115–91 struck out comma after "command of".

2016—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–328, §924(1), substituted "As directed by the Secretary of Defense" for "Except as provided in paragraph (2)" and "specified forces" for "all forces" and struck out "Such assignments shall be made as directed by the Secretary of Defense, including direction as to the command to which forces are to be assigned." before "The Secretary of Defense".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 114–328, §924(2), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "Except as otherwise directed by the Secretary of Defense, forces to be assigned by the Secretaries of the military departments to the combatant commands or to the United States element of the North American Aerospace Defense Command under paragraph (1) do not include forces assigned to carry out functions of the Secretary of a military department listed in sections 3013(b), 5013(b), and 8013(b) of this title or forces assigned to multinational peacekeeping organizations."

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 114–328, §924(3)(B), struck out "assigned to, and" before "under the command".

Pub. L. 114–328, §924(3)(A), which directed striking out "operating with the geographic area", was executed by striking out "operating within the geographic area" after "all forces" to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1996—Subsec. (a)(1) to (3). Pub. L. 104–201 substituted "North American Aerospace Defense Command" for "North American Air Defense Command".

1988—Subsec. (a)(1) to (3). Pub. L. 100–456 inserted "or to the United States element of the North American Air Defense Command".

1987—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 100–180 inserted before period at end "or forces assigned to multinational peacekeeping organizations".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

Implementation of Assignment of Forces to Combatant Commands

Pub. L. 99–433, title II, §214(a), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1018, provided that section 162(a) of this title shall be implemented not later than 90 days after Oct. 1, 1986.

§163. Role of Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

(a) Communications Through Chairman of JCS; Assignment of Duties.—Subject to the limitations in section 152(c) of this title, the President may—

(1) direct that communications between the President or the Secretary of Defense and the commanders of the unified and specified combatant commands be transmitted through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and

(2) assign duties to the Chairman to assist the President and the Secretary of Defense in performing their command function.

(b) Oversight by Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.—(1) The Secretary of Defense may assign to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff responsibility for overseeing the activities of the combatant commands. Such assignment by the Secretary to the Chairman does not confer any command authority on the Chairman and does not alter the responsibility of the commanders of the combatant commands prescribed in section 164(b)(2) of this title.

(2) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serves as the spokesman for the commanders of the combatant commands, especially on the operational requirements of their commands. In performing such function, the Chairman shall—

(A) confer with and obtain information from the commanders of the combatant commands with respect to the requirements of their commands;

(C) advise and make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense with respect to the requirements of the combatant commands, individually and collectively; and

(D) communicate, as appropriate, the requirements of the combatant commands to other elements of the Department of Defense.

§164. Commanders of combatant commands: assignment; powers and duties

(a) Assignment as Combatant Commander.—(1) The President may assign an officer to serve as the commander of a unified or specified combatant command only if the officer—

(B) has completed a full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment (as defined in section 664(d) of this title) as a general or flag officer.

(2) The President may waive paragraph (1) in the case of an officer if the President determines that such action is necessary in the national interest.

(b) Responsibilities of Combatant Commanders.—(1) The commander of a combatant command is responsible to the President and to the Secretary of Defense for the performance of missions assigned to that command by the President or by the Secretary with the approval of the President.

(2) Subject to the direction of the President, the commander of a combatant command—

(A) performs his duties under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense; and

(B) is directly responsible to the Secretary for the preparedness of the command to carry out missions assigned to the command.

(3) Among the full range of command responsibilities specified in subsection (c) and as provided for in section 161 of this title, the primary duties of the commander of a combatant command shall be as follows:

(A) To produce plans for the employment of the armed forces to execute national defense strategies and respond to significant military contingencies.

(c) Command Authority of Combatant Commanders.—(1) Unless otherwise directed by the President or the Secretary of Defense, the authority, direction, and control of the commander of a combatant command with respect to the commands and forces assigned to that command include the command functions of—

(A) giving authoritative direction to subordinate commands and forces necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command, including authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations, joint training, and logistics;

(B) prescribing the chain of command to the commands and forces within the command;

(C) organizing commands and forces within that command as he considers necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command;

(D) employing forces within that command as he considers necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command;

(F) coordinating and approving those aspects of administration and support (including control of resources and equipment, internal organization, and training) and discipline necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command; and

(G) exercising the authority with respect to selecting subordinate commanders, selecting combatant command staff, suspending subordinates, and convening courts-martial, as provided in subsections (e), (f), and (g) of this section and section 822(a) of this title, respectively.

(2)(A) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that a commander of a combatant command has sufficient authority, direction, and control over the commands and forces assigned to the command to exercise effective command over those commands and forces. In carrying out this subparagraph, the Secretary shall consult with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

(B) The Secretary shall periodically review and, after consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the commander of the combatant command, assign authority to the commander of the combatant command for those aspects of administration and support that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command.

(3) If a commander of a combatant command at any time considers his authority, direction, or control with respect to any of the commands or forces assigned to the command to be insufficient to command effectively, the commander shall promptly inform the Secretary of Defense.

(d) Authority Over Subordinate Commanders.—Unless otherwise directed by the President or the Secretary of Defense—

(1) commanders of commands and forces assigned to a combatant command are under the authority, direction, and control of, and are responsible to, the commander of the combatant command on all matters for which the commander of the combatant command has been assigned authority under subsection (c);

(2) the commander of a command or force referred to in clause (1) shall communicate with other elements of the Department of Defense on any matter for which the commander of the combatant command has been assigned authority under subsection (c) in accordance with procedures, if any, established by the commander of the combatant command;

(3) other elements of the Department of Defense shall communicate with the commander of a command or force referred to in clause (1) on any matter for which the commander of the combatant command has been assigned authority under subsection (c) in accordance with procedures, if any, established by the commander of the combatant command; and

(4) if directed by the commander of the combatant command, the commander of a command or force referred to in clause (1) shall advise the commander of the combatant command of all communications to and from other elements of the Department of Defense on any matter for which the commander of the combatant command has not been assigned authority under subsection (c).

(e) Selection of Subordinate Commanders.—(1) An officer may be assigned to a position as the commander of a command directly subordinate to the commander of a combatant command or, in the case of such a position that is designated under section 601 of this title as a position of importance and responsibility, may be recommended to the President for assignment to that position, only—

(2) The Secretary of Defense may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) for the concurrence of the commander of a combatant command with regard to the assignment (or recommendation for assignment) of a particular officer if the Secretary of Defense determines that such action is in the national interest.

(A) evaluate the duty performance of each commander of a command directly subordinate to the commander of such combatant command; and

(B) submit the evaluation to the Secretary of the military department concerned and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

(4) At least one deputy commander of the combatant command the geographic area of responsibility of which includes the United States shall be a qualified officer of a reserve component of the armed forces who is eligible for promotion to the grade of O–9, unless a reserve component officer is serving as commander of that combatant command.

(f) Combatant Command Staff.—(1) Each unified and specified combatant command shall have a staff to assist the commander of the command in carrying out his responsibilities. Positions of responsibility on the combatant command staff shall be filled by officers from each of the armed forces having significant forces assigned to the command.

(2) An officer may be assigned to a position on the staff of a combatant command or, in the case of such a position that is designated under section 601 of this title as a position of importance and responsibility, may be recommended to the President for assignment to that position, only—

(3) The Secretary of Defense may waive the requirement under paragraph (2) for the concurrence of the commander of a combatant command with regard to the assignment (or recommendation for assignment) of a particular officer to serve on the staff of the combatant command if the Secretary of Defense determines that such action is in the national interest.

(g) Authority to Suspend Subordinates.—In accordance with procedures established by the Secretary of Defense, the commander of a combatant command may suspend from duty and recommend the reassignment of any officer assigned to such combatant command.

(h) Support to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.—The commander of a combatant command shall provide such information to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as may be necessary for the Chairman to perform the duties of the Chairman under section 153 of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 99–433, title II, §211(a), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1013; amended Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title V, §519(a)(2), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 1972; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title XVIII, §1824(b), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 501; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title V, §516, title IX, §921(e), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2113, 2354; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(a)(10), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1594.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted "section 664(d)" for "section 664(f)".

Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 114–328, §516, substituted "a reserve component of the armed forces" for "the National Guard" and "a reserve component officer" for "a National Guard officer".

1988—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100–456 substituted "completed a full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment (as defined in section 664(f) of this title)" for "served in at least one joint duty assignment (as defined under section 668(b) of this title)".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 99–433, title II, §214(c), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1019, provided that: "Subsections (e), (f), and (g) of section 164 of title 10, United States Code (as added by section 211 of this Act), shall take effect at the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 1, 1986], or on such earlier date as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense."

Consideration of Reserve Component Officers for Appointment to Certain Command Positions

Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, §518, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1397, provided that: "Whenever officers of the Armed Forces are considered for appointment to the position of Commander, Army North Command or Commander, Air Force North Command, fully qualified officers of the National Guard and the Reserves shall be considered for appointment to such position."

Sense of Congress

Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title XVIII, §1824(a), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 501, provided that: "It is the sense of Congress that, whenever officers of the Armed Forces are considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant general, or vice admiral in the case of the Navy, on the active duty list, officers in the reserve components of the Armed Forces who are eligible for promotion to such grade should be considered for promotion to such grade."

Waiver of Qualifications for Assignment as Combatant Commander

Pub. L. 99–433, title II, §214(b), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1018, authorized President, until Oct. 1, 1990, to waive, on a case-by-case basis, certain requirements provided for in subsec. (a) of this section relating to assignment of commanders of combatant commands.

§165. Combatant commands: administration and support

(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense, with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shall provide for the administration and support of forces assigned to each combatant command.

(b) Responsibility of Secretaries of Military Departments.—Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense and subject to the authority of commanders of the combatant commands under section 164(c) of this title, the Secretary of a military department is responsible for the administration and support of forces assigned by him to a combatant command.

(c) Assignment of Responsibility to Other Components of DOD.—After consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments, the Secretary of Defense may assign the responsibility (or any part of the responsibility) for the administration and support of forces assigned to the combatant commands to other components of the Department of Defense (including Defense Agencies and combatant commands). A component assigned such a responsibility shall discharge that responsibility subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense and subject to the authority of commanders of the combatant commands under section 164(c) of this title.

§166. Combatant commands: budget proposals

(a) Combatant Command Budgets.—The Secretary of Defense shall include in the annual budget of the Department of Defense submitted to Congress a separate budget proposal for such activities of each of the unified and specified combatant commands as may be determined under subsection (b).

(b) Content of Proposals.—A budget proposal under subsection (a) for funding of activities of a combatant command shall include funding proposals for such activities of the combatant command as the Secretary (after consultation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) determines to be appropriate for inclusion. Activities of a combatant command for which funding may be requested in such a proposal include the following:

(c) SOF Training With Foreign Forces.—A funding proposal for force training under subsection (b)(2) may include amounts for training expense payments authorized in section 322 of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 99–433, title II, §211(a), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1016; amended Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title X, §1052(b), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1471; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(a)(11), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1594.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2017—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted "section 322" for "section 2011".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 99–433, title II, §214(d), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1019, provided that: "Section 166 of title 10, United States Code (as added by section 211 of this Act), shall take effect with budget proposals for fiscal year 1989."

§166a. Combatant commands: funding through the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

(a) Combatant Commander Initiative Fund.—From funds made available in any fiscal year for the budget account in the Department of Defense known as the "Combatant Commander Initiative Fund", the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may provide funds to the commander of a combatant command, upon the request of the commander, or, with respect to a geographic area or areas not within the area of responsibility of a commander of a combatant command, to an officer designated by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for such purpose. The Chairman may provide such funds for any of the activities named in subsection (b).

(b) Authorized Activities.—Activities for which funds may be provided under subsection (a) are the following:

(6) Humanitarian and civic assistance, in coordination with the relevant chief of mission to the extent practicable, to include urgent and unanticipated humanitarian relief and reconstruction assistance.

(7) Military education and training to military and related civilian personnel of foreign countries (including transportation, translation, and administrative expenses).

(8) Personnel expenses of defense personnel for bilateral or regional cooperation programs.

(c) Priority.—The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in considering requests for funds in the Combatant Commander Initiative Fund, should give priority consideration to—

(1) requests for funds to be used for activities that would enhance the war fighting capability, readiness, and sustainability of the forces assigned to the commander requesting the funds;

(2) the provision of funds to be used for activities with respect to an area or areas not within the area of responsibility of a commander of a combatant command that would reduce the threat to, or otherwise increase, the national security of the United States; and

(3) the provision of funds to be used for urgent and unanticipated humanitarian relief and reconstruction assistance, particularly in a foreign country where the armed forces are engaged in a contingency operation.

(d) Relationship to Other Funding.—Any amount provided by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during any fiscal year out of the Combatant Commander Initiative Fund for an activity referred to in subsection (b) shall be in addition to amounts otherwise available for that activity for that fiscal year.

(e) Limitations.—(1) Of funds made available under this section for any fiscal year—

(A) not more than $25,000,000 may be used to purchase items with a unit cost in excess of $300,000;

(B) not more than $15,000,000 may be used to pay for any expenses of foreign countries participating in joint exercises as authorized by subsection (b)(5); and

(C) not more than $10,000,000 may be used to provide military education and training (including transportation, translation, and administrative expenses) to military and related civilian personnel of foreign countries as authorized by subsection (b)(7).

(2) Funds may not be provided under this section for any activity that has been denied authorization by Congress.

(f) Inclusion of NORAD.—For purposes of this section, the Commander, United States Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command shall be considered to be a commander of a combatant command.

(Added Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title IX, §902(a), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1450; amended Pub. L. 102–396, title IX, §9128, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1935; Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title IX, §934, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2477; Pub. L. 103–35, title II, §201(a), May 31, 1993, 107 Stat. 97; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title IX, §902, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1854; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title IX, §902(a)(2), (b), (c), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1558; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title IX, §902, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2351; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title IX, §904, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2424; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §833(b)(1)(C), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2284; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title X, §1002, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1883.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 117–81, §1002(1), substituted "$25,000,000" for "$20,000,000" and "$300,000" for "$250,000".

Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 117–81, §1002(2), substituted "$15,000,000" for "$10,000,000".

Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 117–81, §1002(3), substituted "$10,000,000" for "$5,000,000".

2016—Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted "$250,000" for "the investment unit cost threshold in effect under section 2245a of this title".

2009—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 111–84, §904(b), inserted "in coordination with the relevant chief of mission to the extent practicable," after "assistance,".

Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111–84, §904(a), substituted "$20,000,000" for "$10,000,000" and "the investment unit cost threshold in effect under section 2245a of this title" for "$15,000".

2006—Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 109–364, §902(a), substituted "civic assistance, to include urgent and unanticipated humanitarian relief and reconstruction assistance" for "civil assistance".

2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–136, §902(a)(2), substituted "Combatant Commander Initiative Fund" for "CINC Initiative Fund" in heading and "Combatant Commander Initiative Fund" for "CINC Initiative Fund" in first sentence.

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 108–136, §902(a)(2)(B), substituted "Combatant Commander Initiative Fund" for "CINC Initiative Fund".

Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–136, §902(c)(1), substituted "$10,000,000" for "$7,000,000".

Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 108–136, §902(c)(2), substituted "$10,000,000" for "$1,000,000".

Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 108–136, §902(c)(3), substituted "$5,000,000" for "$2,000,000".

1993—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–35, §201(a)(1), substituted "the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may provide funds to the commander of a combatant command, upon the request of the commander, or, with respect to a geographic area or areas not within the area of responsibility of a commander of a combatant command, to an officer designated by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for such purpose" for "the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may provide funds to the commander of a combatant command, upon the request of the commander, or to the Director of the Joint Staff with respect to an area or areas not within the area of responsibility of a commander of a combatant command."

Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 103–35, §201(a)(2), struck out second of two identical parenthetical phrases at end of par. (7) which read as follows: "(including transportation, translation, and administrative expenses)".

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–484, §934(a), which directed substitution of "funds to the commander of a combatant command, upon the request of the commander, or, with respect to a geographic area or areas not within the area of responsibility of a commander of a combatant command, to an officer designated by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for such purpose." for "funds, upon request," and all that follows through the period, could not be executed because the words did not appear subsequent to the amendment by Pub. L. 102–396, §9128(a). See below.

Pub. L. 102–396, §9128(a), substituted "funds to the commander of a combatant command, upon the request of the commander, or to the Director of the Joint Staff with respect to an area or areas not within the area of responsibility of a commander of a combatant command." for "funds, upon request, to the commanders of the combatant commands."

Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 102–396, §9128(b), and Pub. L. 102–484, §934(b), both inserted before period at end "(including transportation, translation, and administrative expenses)".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–484, §934(c), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: "The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in considering requests for funds in the CINC Initiative Fund, should give priority consideration to requests for funds to be used for activities that would enhance the war fighting capability, readiness, and sustainability of the forces assigned to the commander requesting the funds (c) Priority.—The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in considering requests for funds in the CINC Initiative Fund or the provision of funds to the Director of the Joint Staff under subsection (a), should give priority consideration to—

"(1) requests for funds to be used for activities that would enhance the war fighting capability, readiness, and sustainability of the forces assigned to the commander requesting the funds; and

"(2) the provision of funds to be used for activities with respect to an area or areas not within the area of responsibility of a commander of a combatant command that would reduce the threat to, or otherwise increase, the national security of the United States..[sic]"

Pub. L. 102–396, §9128(c), inserted before period at end "(c) Priority.—The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in considering requests for funds in the CINC Initiative Fund or the provision of funds to the Director of the Joint Staff under subsection (a), should give priority consideration to—

"(1) requests for funds to be used for activities that would enhance the war fighting capability, readiness, and sustainability of the forces assigned to the commander requesting the funds; and

Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 102–484, §934(d), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: "not more than $5,000,000 may be used to provide military education and training (including transportation, translation, and administrative expenses) to military and related civilian personnel of foreign countries as authorized by subsection (b)(7)."

Pub. L. 102–396, §9128(d), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: "not more than $500,000 may be used to provide military education and training to military and related civilian personnel of foreign countries as authorized by subsection (b)(7)."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Redesignation of CINC Initiative Fund

Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title IX, §902(a)(1), (3), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1558, provided that:

"(1) The CINC Initiative Fund administered under section 166a of title 10, United States Code, is redesignated as the 'Combatant Commander Initiative Fund'.

"(3) Any reference to the CINC Initiative Fund in any other provision of law or in any regulation, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be considered to be a reference to the Combatant Commander Initiative Fund."

§166b. Combatant commands: funding for combating terrorism readiness initiatives

(a) Combating Terrorism Readiness Initiatives Fund.—From funds made available in any fiscal year for the budget account in the Department of Defense known as the "Combating Terrorism Readiness Initiatives Fund", the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may provide funds to the commander of a combatant command, upon the request of the commander, or, with respect to a geographic area or areas not within the area of responsibility of a commander of a combatant command, to an officer designated by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for such purpose. The Chairman may provide such funds for initiating any activity named in subsection (b) and for maintaining and sustaining the activity for the fiscal year in which initiated and one additional fiscal year.

(b) Authorized Activities.—Activities for which funds may be provided under subsection (a) are the following:

(c) Priority.—The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in considering requests for funds in the Combating Terrorism Readiness Initiatives Fund, should give priority consideration to emergency or emergent unforeseen high-priority requirements for combating terrorism.

(d) Relationship to Other Funding.—Any amount provided by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for a fiscal year out of the Combating Terrorism Readiness Initiatives Fund for an activity referred to in subsection (b) shall be in addition to amounts otherwise available for that activity for that fiscal year.

(e) Limitation.—Funds may not be provided under this section for any activity that has been denied authorization by Congress.

(Added Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title XV, §1512(a), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1272.)

§167. Unified combatant command for special operations forces

(a) Establishment.—With the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the President, through the Secretary of Defense, shall establish under section 161 of this title a unified combatant command for special operations forces (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "special operations command"). The principal function of the command is to prepare special operations forces to carry out assigned missions.

(b) Assignment of Forces.—Unless otherwise directed by the Secretary of Defense, all active and reserve special operations forces of the armed forces stationed in the United States shall be assigned to the special operations command.

(c) Grade of Commander.—The commander of the special operations command shall hold the grade of general or, in the case of an officer of the Navy, admiral while serving in that position, without vacating his permanent grade. The commander of such command shall be appointed to that grade by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for service in that position.

(d) Command of Activity or Mission.—(1) Unless otherwise directed by the President or the Secretary of Defense, a special operations activity or mission shall be conducted under the command of the commander of the unified combatant command in whose geographic area the activity or mission is to be conducted.

(2) The commander of the special operations command shall exercise command of a selected special operations mission if directed to do so by the President or the Secretary of Defense.

(e) Authority of Combatant Commander.—(1) In addition to the authority prescribed in section 164(c) of this title, the commander of the special operations command shall be responsible for, and shall have the authority to conduct, all affairs of such command relating to special operations activities.

(2) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, the commander of such command shall be responsible for, and shall have the authority to conduct, the following functions relating to special operations activities (whether or not relating to the special operations command):

(B) Preparing and submitting to the Secretary of Defense program recommendations and budget proposals for special operations forces and for other forces assigned to the special operations command.

(ii) for special operations forces assigned to unified combatant commands other than the special operations command, with respect to all matters covered by paragraph (4) and, with respect to a matter not covered by paragraph (4), to the extent directed by the Secretary of Defense.

(E) Conducting specialized courses of instruction for commissioned and noncommissioned officers.

(J) Monitoring the promotions of special operations forces and coordinating with the military departments regarding the assignment, retention, training, professional military education, and special and incentive pays of special operations forces.

(A) ensuring the combat readiness of forces assigned to the special operations command; and

(B) monitoring the preparedness to carry out assigned missions of special operations forces assigned to unified combatant commands other than the special operations command.

(4)(A) The commander of the special operations command shall be responsible for, and shall have the authority to conduct, the following:

(ii) Acquisition of special operations-peculiar material, supplies, and services.

(B) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense, the commander of the command, in carrying out his functions under subparagraph (A), shall have authority to exercise the functions of the head of an agency under chapter 137 ¹ of this title.

(C)(i) The staff of the commander shall include a command acquisition executive, who shall be responsible for the overall supervision of acquisition matters for the special operations command. The command acquisition executive shall have the authority to—

(I) negotiate memoranda of agreement with the military departments to carry out the acquisition of equipment, material, supplies, and services described in subparagraph (A) on behalf of the command;

(II) supervise the acquisition of equipment, material, supplies, and services described in subparagraph (A), regardless of whether such acquisition is carried out by the command, or by a military department pursuant to a delegation of authority by the command;

(III) represent the command in discussions with the military departments regarding acquisition programs for which the command is a customer; and

(IV) work with the military departments to ensure that the command is appropriately represented in any joint working group or integrated product team regarding acquisition programs for which the command is a customer.

(ii) The command acquisition executive of the special operations command shall be responsible to the commander for rapidly delivering acquisition solutions to meet validated special operations-peculiar requirements, subordinate to the Defense Acquisition Executive in matters of acquisition, subject to the same oversight as the service acquisition executives, and included on the distribution list for acquisition directives and instructions of the Department of Defense.

(D) The staff of the commander shall include an inspector general who shall conduct internal audits and inspections of purchasing and contracting actions through the special operations command and such other inspector general functions as may be assigned.

(f) Administrative Chain of Command.—(1) Unless otherwise directed by the President, the administrative chain of command to the special operations command runs—

(B) from the Secretary of Defense to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict; and

(C) from the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict to the commander of the special operations command.

(2) For purposes of this subsection, administrative chain of command refers to the exercise of authority, direction and control with respect to the special operations-peculiar administration and support of the special operations command, including the readiness and organization of special operations forces, resources and equipment, and civilian personnel. It does not refer to the exercise of authority, direction, and control of operational matters that are subject to the operational chain of command of the commanders of combatant commands or the exercise of authority, direction, and control of personnel, resources, equipment, and other matters that are not special operations-peculiar that are the purview of the armed forces.

(g) Budget.—In addition to the activities of a combatant command for which funding may be requested under section 166(b) of this title, the budget proposal of the special operations command shall include requests for funding for—

(2) acquisition of other material, supplies, or services that are peculiar to special operations activities.

(h) Intelligence and Special Activities.—This section does not constitute authority to conduct any activity which, if carried out as an intelligence activity by the Department of Defense, would require a notice to the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.).

(i) Regulations.—The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe regulations for the activities of the special operations command. Such regulations shall include authorization for the commander of such command to provide for operational security of special operations forces and activities.

(j) Identification of Special Operations Forces.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), for the purposes of this section special operations forces are those forces of the armed forces that—

(A) are identified as core forces or as augmenting forces in the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan, Annex E, dated December 17, 1985;

(B) are described in the Terms of Reference and Conceptual Operations Plan for the Joint Special Operations Command, as in effect on April 1, 1986; or

(2) The Secretary of Defense, after consulting with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commander of the special operations command, may direct that any force included within the description in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(B) shall not be considered as a special operations force for the purposes of this section.

(k) Special Operations Activities.—For purposes of this section, special operations activities include each of the following insofar as it relates to special operations:

(10) Such other activities as may be specified by the President or the Secretary of Defense.

(l) Budget Support for Reserve Elements.—(1) Before the budget proposal for the special operations command for any fiscal year is submitted to the Secretary of Defense, the commander of the command shall consult with the Secretaries of the military departments concerning funding for reserve component special operations units. If the Secretary of a military department does not concur in the recommended level of funding with respect to any such unit that is under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, the commander shall include with the budget proposal submitted to the Secretary of Defense the views of the Secretary of the military department concerning such funding.

(2) Before the budget proposal for a military department for any fiscal year is submitted to the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of that military department shall consult with the commander of the special operations command concerning funding for special operations forces in the military personnel budget for a reserve component in that military department. If the commander of that command does not concur in the recommended level of funding with respect to reserve component special operations units, the Secretary shall include with the budget proposal submitted to the Secretary of Defense the views of the commander of that command.

(Added Pub. L. 99–500, §101(c) [title IX, §9115(b)(1)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–82, 1783–122, and Pub. L. 99–591, §101(c) [title IX, §9115(b)(1)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–82, 3341–122; Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, §1311(b)(1), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3983; amended Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XII, §1211(d), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1156; Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title VII, §712, Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 1997; Pub. L. 102–88, title VI, §602(c)(3), Aug. 14, 1991, 105 Stat. 444; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title IX, §925, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2832; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VIII, §810, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 217; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title X, §1086(1), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1603; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title IX, §903, Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 816; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, §1071(c)(3), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3508; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title IX, §922(c), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2356.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Chapter 137 of this title, referred to in subsec. (e)(4)(B), was repealed by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1881(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4293, effective Jan. 1, 2022, in conjunction with the transfer and reorganization of acquisition provisions in this title by Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, Jan. 1, 2022, 134 Stat. 4149.

The National Security Act of 1947, referred to in subsec. (h), is act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, 61 Stat. 495. Title V of the Act is classified generally to subchapter III (§3091 et seq.) of chapter 44 of Title 50. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Codification

Amendments

2016—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 114–328, §922(c)(1)(A), substituted "Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, the commander" for "The commander" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (e)(2)(J). Pub. L. 114–328, §922(c)(1)(B), added subpar. (J) and struck out former subpar. (J) which read as follows: "Monitoring the promotions, assignments, retention, training, and professional military education of special operations forces officers."

Subsecs. (f) to (l). Pub. L. 114–328, §922(c)(2), added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsecs. (f) to (k) as (g) to (l), respectively.

2014—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 113–291 substituted "(50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.)" for "(50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.)".

2013—Subsec. (e)(4)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 113–66 inserted "responsible to the commander for rapidly delivering acquisition solutions to meet validated special operations-peculiar requirements, subordinate to the Defense Acquisition Executive in matters of acquisition, subject to the same oversight as the service acquisition executives, and" after "shall be".

2011—Subsec. (j)(6). Pub. L. 112–81 added par. (6) and struck out former par. (6) which read as follows: "Psychological operations."

2008—Subsec. (e)(4)(C), (D). Pub. L. 110–181 added subpar. (C) and redesignated former subpar. (C) as (D).

1991—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–88 substituted "would require a notice" for "would require—

"(1) a finding under section 662 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2422); or

"(2) a notice" and "title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.)" for "section 501(a)(1) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413)".

1988—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–456 revised and restated subsec. (e). Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows:

"(1) In addition to the authority prescribed in section 164(c) of this title, the commander of the special operations command shall be responsible for, and shall have the authority to conduct, all affairs of such command relating to special operations activities, including the following functions:

"(C) Conducting specialized courses of instruction for commissioned and noncommissioned officers.

"(G) Developing and acquiring special operations-peculiar equipment and acquiring special operations-peculiar material, supplies, and services.

"(J) Monitoring the promotions, assignments, retention, training, and professional military education of special operations forces officers.

"(2) The commander of such command shall be responsible for monitoring the preparedness of special operations forces assigned to other unified combatant commands to carry out assigned missions.

"(3) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense, the commander of the command, in carrying out his functions under paragraph (1)(G), shall have authority to exercise the functions of the head of an agency under chapter 137 of this title. The staff of the commander shall include an inspector general who shall conduct internal audits and inspections of purchasing and contracting actions through the special operations command and such other inspector general functions as may be assigned."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 99–500, §101(c) [title IX, §9115(i)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–82, 1783–125, Pub. L. 99–591, §101(c) [title IX, §9115(i)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–82, 3341–125, and Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, §1311(i), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3986, provided that: "Section 167 of title 10, United States Code (as added by subsection (b)), shall be implemented not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 18, 1986]."

Processes and Procedures for Notifications Regarding Special Operations Forces

Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVII, §1745, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1842, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2019], the Secretary of Defense shall establish and submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] processes and procedures for providing notifications to the committees regarding members of special operations forces, as identified in section 167(j) of title 10, United States Code.

"(b) Processes and Procedures.—The processes and procedures established under subsection (a) shall—

"(1) clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Secretaries of the military departments, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, and the Commander of United States Special Operations Command;

"(2) provide guidance relating to the types of matters that would warrant congressional notification, including awards, reprimands, incidents, and any other matters the Secretary determines necessary;

"(4) be designed to protect sensitive information during an ongoing investigation;

"(6) take in to account existing processes and procedures for notifications to the congressional defense committees regarding members of the conventional Armed Forces."

Memoranda of Agreement on Identification and Dedication of Enabling Capabilities of General Purpose Forces to Fulfill Certain Requirements of Special Operations Forces

Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title IX, §904, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1533, provided that:

"(a) Requirement.—By not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 31, 2011] and annually thereafter, each Secretary of a military department shall enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command that identifies or establishes processes and associated milestones by which numbers and types of enabling capabilities of the general purpose forces of the Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of such Secretary can be identified and dedicated to fulfill the training and operational requirements of special operations forces under the United States Special Operations Command.

"(b) Format.—Such agreements may be accomplished in an annex to existing memoranda of agreement or through separate memoranda of agreement."

Counterterrorism Operational Briefing Requirement

Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title X, §1031, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1570, required the Secretary of Defense, beginning not later than March 1, 2012, to provide to the Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives quarterly briefings outlining Department of Defense counterterrorism operations and related activities involving special operations forces, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title X, §1042(b), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 857.

Annual Reports on Use of Combat Mission Requirements Funds

Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title I, §123, Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4158, as amended by Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title I, §145, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1326; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title I, §145, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2042, provided that:

"(1) In general.—Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year, the commander of the United States Special Operations Command shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a report on the use of Combat Mission Requirements funds during the preceding fiscal year.

"(2) Combat mission requirements funds.—For purposes of this section, Combat Mission Requirements funds are amounts available to the Department of Defense for Defense-wide procurement in the Combat Mission Requirements subaccount of the Defense-wide Procurement account.

"(b) Elements.—Each report under subsection (a) shall include, for the fiscal year covered by such report, the following:

"(1) The balance of the Combat Mission Requirements subaccount at the beginning of such year.

"(2) The balance of the Combat Mission Requirements subaccount at the end of such year.

"(3) Any transfer of funds into or out of the Combat Mission Requirements subaccount during such year, including the source of any funds transferred into the subaccount, and the objective of any transfer of funds out of the subaccount.

"(A) approved for procurement using Combat Mission Requirements funds during such year; or

"(5) With respect to each description of a requirement under paragraph (4), the amount of Combat Mission Requirements funds committed to the procurement or approved procurement of such requirement.

"(6) A table setting forth the Combat Mission Requirements approved during the fiscal year in which such report is submitted and the two preceding fiscal years, including for each such Requirement—

"(C) the amount of funding approved for such Requirement, and the source of such approved funds.

"(7) A statement of the amount of any unspent Combat Mission Requirements funds from the fiscal year in which such report is submitted and the two preceding fiscal years.

"(c) Form.—Each report under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex."

[For termination, effective Dec. 31, 2021, of annual reporting provisions in section 123 of Pub. L. 111–383, set out above, see section 1061 of Pub. L. 114–328, set out as a note under section 111 of this title.]

Resources for CINCSOF

Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XII, §1211(b), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1155, as amended by Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title IX, §903(f)(5), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 402; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title IX, §901, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2617, provided that: "The Secretary of Defense shall provide sufficient resources for the commander of the unified combatant command for special operations forces established pursuant to section 167 of title 10, United States Code, to carry out his duties and responsibilities, including particularly his duties and responsibilities relating to the following functions:

"(1) Developing and acquiring special operations-peculiar equipment and acquiring special operations-peculiar material, supplies, and services.

"(2) Providing advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict in the Assistant Secretary's overall supervision of the preparation and justification of the program recommendations and budget proposals for special operations forces.

"(3) Managing assigned resources from the major force program category for special operations forces of the Five-Year Defense Plan of the Department of Defense (as required to be created pursuant to subsection (e))."

Major Force Program Category; Program and Budget Execution; Grade for Commanders of Certain Area Special Operations Commands

Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title IX, §936(a), (b), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2479, provided that, during the period beginning on Feb. 1, 1993, and ending on Feb. 1, 1995, the provisions of Pub. L. 99–661, §1311(e), set out below, would apply as if the Secretary of Defense had designated the United States Southern Command and the United States Central Command for the purposes of that section, and required the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report setting forth the Secretary's recommendations for the grade structure for the special operations forces component commander for each unified command not later than Mar. 1, 1994.

Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XII, §1211(e), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1156, directed that the major force program category for special operations forces of the Five-Year Defense Plan of the Department of Defense created pursuant to Pub. L. 99–661, §1311(c), set out below, was to be created not later than 30 days after Dec. 4, 1987, and required the Secretary of Defense to submit to committees of Congress on such date a report explaining the program recommendations and budget proposals included in such category and a certification that all program recommendations and budget proposals for special operations forces had been included.

Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, §1311(c)–(e), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3985, 3986, provided that:

"(c) Major Force Program Category.—The Secretary of Defense shall create for the special operations forces a major force program category for the Five-Year Defense Plan of the Department of Defense. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, with the advice and assistance of the commander of the special operations command, shall provide overall supervision of the preparation and justification of program recommendations and budget proposals to be included in such major force program category.

"(d) Program and Budget Execution.—To the extent that there is authority to revise programs and budgets approved by Congress for special operations forces, such authority may be exercised only by the Secretary of Defense, after consulting with the commander of the special operations command.

"(e) Grade for Commanders of Certain Area Special Operations Commands.—The commander of the special operations command of the United States European Command, the United States Pacific Command [now United States Indo-Pacific Command], and any other unified combatant command that the Secretary of Defense may designate for the purposes of this section shall be of general or flag officer grade."

[Identical provisions were contained in section 101(c) [§9115(c)–(e)] of Pub. L. 99–500 and Pub. L. 99–591, which was repealed by Pub. L. 102–484, div. A, title IX, §936(c), Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2479.]

Report on Capabilities of United States To Conduct Special Operations and Engage in Low Intensity Conflicts

Pub. L. 99–500, §101(c) [title IX, §9115(h)(2)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–82, 1783–125, Pub. L. 99–591, §101(c) [title IX, §9115(h)(2)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–82, 3341–125, and Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, §1311(h)(2), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3986, required President, not later than one year after the date of enactment, to transmit to Congress a report on capabilities of United States to conduct special operations and engage in low intensity conflicts, the report to include a description of deficiencies in such capabilities, actions being taken throughout executive branch to correct such deficiencies, the principal low intensity conflict threats to interests of United States, and the actions taken and to be taken to implement this section.

[§167a. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §812(a)(1)(A), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1846]

Section, added Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title VIII, §848(a)(1), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1554; amended Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title VIII, §846(a), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3391; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VIII, §825, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 227, provided for delegation of limited acquisition authority to the commander of the unified combatant command for joint warfighting experimentation.

§167b. Unified combatant command for cyber operations

(a) Establishment.—(1) With the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the President, through the Secretary of Defense, shall establish under section 161 of this title a unified combatant command for cyber operations forces (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "cyber command").

(2) The principal mission of the Cyber Command is to direct, synchronize, and coordinate military cyberspace planning and operations to defend and advance national interests in collaboration with domestic and international partners.

(b) Assignment of Forces.—(1) Active and reserve cyber forces of the armed forces shall be assigned to the Cyber Command through the Global Force Management Process, as approved by the Secretary of Defense.

(2) Cyber forces not assigned to Cyber Command remain assigned to combatant commands or service-retained.

(c) Grade of Commander.—The commander of the cyber command shall hold the grade of general or, in the case of an officer of the Navy, admiral while serving in that position, without vacating that officer's permanent grade. The commander of such command shall be appointed to that grade by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for service in that position.

(d) Authority of Combatant Commander.—(1) In addition to the authority prescribed in section 164(c) of this title, the commander of the cyber command shall be responsible for, and shall have the authority to conduct, all affairs of such command relating to cyber operations activities.

(2)(A) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Principal Cyber Advisor, the commander of such command shall be responsible for, and shall have the authority to conduct, the following functions relating to cyber operations activities (whether or not relating to the cyber command):

(ii) Preparing and submitting to the Secretary of Defense program recommendations and budget proposals for cyber operations forces and for other forces assigned to the cyber command.

(iii) Exercising authority, direction, and control over the expenditure of funds—

(II) for cyber operations forces assigned to unified combatant commands other than the cyber command, with respect to all matters covered by section 807 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 129 Stat. 886; 10 U.S.C. 2224 note) and, with respect to a matter not covered by such section, to the extent directed by the Secretary of Defense.

(v) Conducting specialized courses of instruction for commissioned and noncommissioned officers.

(x) Monitoring the promotion of cyber operation forces and coordinating with the military departments regarding the assignment, retention, training, professional military education, and special and incentive pays of cyber operation forces.

(B) The authority, direction, and control exercised by the Principal Cyber Advisor for purposes of this section is authority, direction, and control with respect to the administration and support of the cyber command, including readiness and organization of cyber operations forces, cyber operations-peculiar equipment and resources, and civilian personnel.

(C) Nothing in this section shall be construed as providing the Principal Cyber Advisor authority, direction, and control of operational matters that are subject to the operational chain of command of the combatant commands or the exercise of authority, direction, and control of personnel, resources, equipment, and other matters that are not cyber-operations peculiar and that are in the purview of the armed forces.

(B) monitoring the preparedness to carry out assigned missions of cyber forces assigned to unified combatant commands other than the cyber command.

(C) The staff of the commander shall include an inspector general who shall conduct internal audits and inspections of purchasing and contracting actions through the cyber operations command and such other inspector general functions as may be assigned.

(e) Intelligence and Special Activities.—This section does not constitute authority to conduct any activity which, if carried out as an intelligence activity by the Department of Defense, would require a notice to the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.).

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title IX, §923(a), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2357; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(a)(12), title XVI, §1635, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1595, 1741; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVII, §1701(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4079.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Security Act of 1947, referred to in subsec. (e), is act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, 61 Stat. 495. Title V of the Act is classified generally to subchapter III (§3091 et seq.) of chapter 44 of Title 50. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–283, §1701(1)(A), designated existing provisions as par. (1), struck out at end "The principal function of the command is to prepare cyber operations forces to carry out assigned missions.", and added par. (2).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–283, §1701(1)(B), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Unless otherwise directed by the Secretary of Defense, all active and reserve cyber operations forces of the armed forces stationed in the United States shall be assigned to the cyber command."

2017—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–91, §1635, redesignated subsec. (e) as (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which related to command of activity or mission.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–91, §1635(2), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (d).

Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(iii)(II). Pub. L. 115–91, §1081(a)(12), substituted "Fiscal Year 2016" for "Fiscal Year 2014".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Assignment of Certain Budget Control Responsibilities to Commander of United States Cyber Command

Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XV, §1507, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2030, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The Commander of United States Cyber Command shall, subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Principal Cyber Advisor of the Department of Defense, be responsible for directly controlling and managing the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution of resources to train, equip, operate, and sustain the Cyber Mission Forces.

"(2) Effective date and applicability.—Paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2021] and apply—

"(B) beginning with fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter for directly controlling and managing the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution of resources.

"(1) In general.—The responsibilities assigned to the Commander of United States Cyber Command pursuant to subsection (a)(1) shall include the following:

"(A) Preparation of a program objective memorandum and budget estimate submission for the resources required to train, equip, operate, and sustain the Cyber Mission Forces.

"(B) Preparation of budget materials pertaining to United States Cyber Command for inclusion in the budget justification materials that are submitted to Congress in support of the Department of Defense budget for a fiscal year (as submitted with the budget of the President for a fiscal year under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code) that is separate from any other military service or component of the Department.

"(2) Responsibilities not delegated.—The responsibilities assigned to the Commander of United States Cyber Command pursuant to subsection (a)(1) shall not include the following:

"(1) In general.—Not later than the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the Department of Defense and the Commander of United States Cyber Command, in coordination with Chief Information Officer of the Department, the Principal Cyber Advisor, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, and the Secretaries of the military departments, shall jointly develop an implementation plan for the transition of responsibilities assigned to the Commander of United States Cyber Command pursuant to subsection (a)(1).

"(2) Elements.—The implementation plan developed under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

"(A) A budgetary review to identify appropriate resources for transfer to the Commander of United States Cyber Command for carrying out responsibilities assigned pursuant to subsection (a)(1).

"(C) Specification of all program elements and sub-elements, and the training, equipment, Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture capabilities, other enabling capabilities and infrastructure, intelligence support, operations, and sustainment investments in each such program element and sub-element for which the Commander of United States Cyber Command is responsible.

"(D) Specification of all program elements and sub-elements, and the training, equipment, Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture capabilities, other enabling capabilities and infrastructure, intelligence support, operations, and sustainment investments in each such program element and sub-element relevant to or that support the Cyber Mission Force for which the Secretaries of the military departments are responsible.

"(E) Required levels of civilian and military staffing within United States Cyber Command to carry out subsection (a)(1), and an estimate of when such levels of staffing will be achieved.

"(1) In general.—Not later than the earlier of the date on which the implementation plan under subsection (c) is developed or the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a briefing on the implementation plan.

"(2) Elements.—The briefing required by paragraph (1) shall address any recommendations for when and how the Secretary of Defense should delegate to the Commander of United States Cyber Command budget authority for the Cyber Operations Forces (as such term is defined in the memorandum issued by the Secretary of Defense on December 12, 2019, relating to the definition of 'Department of Defense Cyberspace Operations Forces (DoD COF)'), after successful implementation of the responsibilities described in subsection (a) relating to the Cyber Mission Forces."

Executive Documents

Elevation of U.S. Cyber Command to a Unified Combatant Command

Memorandum of President of the United States, Aug. 15, 2017, 82 F.R. 39953, provided:

Pursuant to my authority as the Commander in Chief and under sections 161 and 167b of title 10, United States Code, and in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I direct that U.S. Cyber Command be established as a Unified Combatant Command. I also direct the Secretary of Defense to recommend an officer for my nomination and Senate confirmation as commander in order to establish U.S. Cyber Command as a Unified Combatant Command.

I assign to U.S. Cyber Command: (1) all the general responsibilities of a Unified Combatant Command; (2) the cyberspace-related responsibilities previously assigned to the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command; (3) the responsibilities of Joint Force Provider and Joint Force Trainer; and (4) all other responsibilities identified in section 167b of title 10, United States Code. The comprehensive list of authorities and responsibilities for U.S. Cyber Command will be included in the next update to the Unified Command Plan.

I further direct that the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, provide a recommendation and, as appropriate, a plan to me regarding the future command relationship between the U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency.

Consistent with section 161(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code, and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, you are directed to notify the Congress on my behalf.

You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

[§168. Repealed. Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, §1253(a)(1)(A), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2532]

Section, added Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XIII, §1316(a)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2898; amended Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title IV, §416, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 289; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title IV, §416(e), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1868; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title XII, §1201, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 363; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title XII, §1202(a), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4622, related to military-to-military contacts and comparable activities.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Update of Policy Guidance on Authority for Assignment of Civilian Employees of the Department of Defense as Advisors to Foreign Ministries of Defense and Regional Organizations

Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, §1047(b), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3495, required the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy to issue an update of the policy of the Department of Defense for assignment of civilian employees of the Department as advisors to foreign ministries of defense and regional organizations under the authority in section 1081 of Pub. L. 112–81, formerly set out as a note under this section.

Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title X, §1094(a)(2), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 878, required the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy to issue an update of the policy of the Department of Defense for assignment of civilian employees of the Department as advisors to foreign ministries of defense under the authority in section 1081 of Pub. L. 112–81, formerly set out as a note under this section.

Defense Institution Capacity Building Program

Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title X, §1081, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1599, as amended by Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title X, §1094(a)(1), (3)–(5), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 878; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, §1047(a), (c), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3494, 3495; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title X, §1055(a)–(d)(1), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 982, 983, which related to the Defense Institution Capacity Building Program, was repealed by Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, §1241(c)(3), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2500.

Authority for Non-Reciprocal Exchanges of Defense Personnel Between the United States and Foreign Countries

Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title XII, §1207, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2514, as amended by Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title XII, §1202, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1980; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title XII, §1204, Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 1039, which related to authority for non-reciprocal exchanges of defense personnel between the United States and foreign countries, was repealed by Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, §1242(c)(2), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2513.

Agreements for Exchange of Defense Personnel Between United States and Foreign Countries

Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title X, §1082, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2672, which related to agreements for exchange of defense personnel between the United States and foreign countries, was repealed by Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, §1242(c)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2513. See section 311 of this title.

[§169. Repealed. Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVI, §1601(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1722]

Section, added Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XVI, §1601(a)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2101, related to United States Space Command for carrying out joint space warfighting operations. See chapter 908 of this title.

CHAPTER 6—COMBATANT COMMANDS

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Amendments

§161. Combatant commands: establishment

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Matters To Be Considered in Next Assessment of Current Missions, Responsibilities, and Force Structure of Unified Combatant Commands

Initial Review of Combatant Commands

Executive Documents

Disestablishment of United States Joint Forces Command

Revisions to Unified Command Plan

Establishment of United States Space Command as a Unified Combatant Command

§162. Combatant commands: assigned forces; chain of command

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Implementation of Assignment of Forces to Combatant Commands

§163. Role of Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

§164. Commanders of combatant commands: assignment; powers and duties

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Consideration of Reserve Component Officers for Appointment to Certain Command Positions

Sense of Congress

Waiver of Qualifications for Assignment as Combatant Commander

§165. Combatant commands: administration and support

§166. Combatant commands: budget proposals

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

§166a. Combatant commands: funding through the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Redesignation of CINC Initiative Fund

§166b. Combatant commands: funding for combating terrorism readiness initiatives

§167. Unified combatant command for special operations forces

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Codification

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Processes and Procedures for Notifications Regarding Special Operations Forces

Memoranda of Agreement on Identification and Dedication of Enabling Capabilities of General Purpose Forces to Fulfill Certain Requirements of Special Operations Forces

Counterterrorism Operational Briefing Requirement

Annual Reports on Use of Combat Mission Requirements Funds

Resources for CINCSOF

Major Force Program Category; Program and Budget Execution; Grade for Commanders of Certain Area Special Operations Commands

Report on Capabilities of United States To Conduct Special Operations and Engage in Low Intensity Conflicts

[§167a. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §812(a)(1)(A), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1846]

§167b. Unified combatant command for cyber operations

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Assignment of Certain Budget Control Responsibilities to Commander of United States Cyber Command

Executive Documents

Elevation of U.S. Cyber Command to a Unified Combatant Command

[§168. Repealed. Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, §1253(a)(1)(A), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2532]

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Update of Policy Guidance on Authority for Assignment of Civilian Employees of the Department of Defense as Advisors to Foreign Ministries of Defense and Regional Organizations

Defense Institution Capacity Building Program

Authority for Non-Reciprocal Exchanges of Defense Personnel Between the United States and Foreign Countries

Agreements for Exchange of Defense Personnel Between United States and Foreign Countries

[§169. Repealed. Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVI, §1601(a), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1722]