The United States secretary of defense (SecDef) is the head of the United States Department of Defense,the executive department of the U.S. Armed Forces,and is a high ranking member of the federal cabinet. The secretary of defense's position of command and authority over the military is second only to that of the president of the United States,who is the commander-in-chief. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a defense minister in many other countries. The secretary of defense is appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate,and is by custom a member of the Cabinet and by law a member of the National Security Council.
The secretary of the Army is a senior civilian official within the United States Department of Defense,with statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the United States Army:manpower,personnel,reserve affairs,installations,environmental issues,weapons systems and equipment acquisition,communications and financial management.
Robert Burns Pirie Jr. is a retired United States Navy officer and politician. Early in 2001,Pirie served as Acting Secretary of the Navy until the nomination and confirmation of an appointee by President George W. Bush.
The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (SAF/AQ) is a civilian position in the Department of the Air Force that is appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. This position is established under Title 10 US Code Section 9016 and is one of five Assistant Secretary positions under the Secretary of the Air Force. The Assistant Secretary reports to the Secretary of the Air Force.
The United States under secretary of the Army is the second-highest-ranking civilian official of the United States Department of the Army,serving directly under the United States Secretary of the Army. The Secretary and Under Secretary,together with two military officers,the Chief of Staff of the United States Army and the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army,constitute the senior leaders of the United States Army.
Bernard Daniel Rostker was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1977 to 1979;Director of the United States Selective Service System from 1979 to 1981;Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1994 to 1998;Under Secretary of the Army from 1998 to 2000;and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness in 2000-2001. From 1996 to 2001,he also served as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses.
Patrick Timothy Henry was United States Assistant Secretary of the Army from 1998 to 2001.
Gary Kim Wincup was United States Assistant Secretary of the Army from 1989 to 1992 and Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition) in 1992.
In the United States military,the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs(ASD ),formerly Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs(ASD ) serves as Principal Staff Assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense,Deputy Secretary of Defense and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness,with responsibility for "overall policies and procedures of [U.S.] Total Force manpower,personnel and reserve affairs," including the Army National Guard,Army Reserve,Navy Reserve,Marine Corps Reserve,Air National Guard,Air Force Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve. The ASD (M&RA) reports directly to the Under Secretary of Defense (P&R) and exercises authority,direction,and control over the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. On April 23,2021,President Biden announced his intent to nominate Brenda Sue Fulton,an openly lesbian veteran and West Point alumna,to the position.
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness and Force Management,or ASD(R&FM),is a Defense Department position responsible for civilian and military personnel policy,readiness of the force,military community and family policy and diversity management and equal opportunity.
John Francis Kirby is a retired rear admiral in the United States Navy serving as Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House since late May 2022. He previously served as Pentagon Press Secretary for the first year and a half of the Biden Administration,and worked as a military and diplomatic analyst for CNN from 2017 to 2021. He served in the Obama administration as the spokesperson for the United States Department of State from 2015 to 2017.
Jon Christopher Kreitz is a retired United States Navy Rear Admiral and former Deputy Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. He is an Independent Director on the Board of Directors of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Surface Navy Association (SNA).
Donald Michael Remy is an American attorney,former military officer,and athletic administrator who currently serves in the Biden administration as the 9th United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The Senate voted on July 15,2021,to confirm his nomination in a 91–8 vote.
Carlos Alberto Monje Jr. is an American government official and senior advisor to Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He has served as the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy within the Biden administration since July 2021.
Gabriel Omar Camarillo is an American attorney who has served as the 35th under secretary of the Army in the Biden administration since February 8,2022. He previously served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force from 2015 to 2017 during the Obama administration.
Russell Rumbaugh is an American defense policy advisor and former military officer who has served as assistant secretary of the Navy since January 2023.
Victoria Marie Baecher Wassmer is an American government official who serves as the Chief Financial Officer and an assistant secretary of transportation for budget and programs within the Department of Transportation. She previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Finance and Budget within the department as well as in various roles at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
