The United States secretary of veterans affairs is the head of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs,the department concerned with veterans' benefits,health care,and national veterans' memorials and cemeteries. The secretary is a member of the Cabinet and second to last at sixteenth in the line of succession to the presidency. Until the appointment of David Shulkin in 2017,all appointees and acting appointees to the post were United States military veterans,but that is not a requirement to fill the position.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing lifelong healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country. Non-healthcare benefits include disability compensation,vocational rehabilitation,education assistance,home loans,and life insurance. The VA also provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members at 135 national cemeteries.
The Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs is a senior position within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that directs the National Cemetery Administration,which maintains 150 national cemeteries and provides burial services for veterans of the United States military and eligible family members.
The Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health is a sub-cabinet position in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Formerly known as the Chief Medical Director of Veterans Health,the Undersecretary is the highest official directly responsible to the Secretary for the Veterans Health Administration,which is the largest agency within the department. Although the position is no longer required to be held by a licensed physician,senior medical professionals such as hospital administrators are typically the preferred selectee for nomination,based on both demonstrated ability in the medical profession or health care administration,and with substantial experience in Veterans healthcare or similar programs.
The Under Secretary for Benefits (USB),in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs,directs the Veterans Benefits Administration through regional offices in 50 states,the District of Columbia,Puerto Rico,and the Philippines. The Under Secretary is responsible for the administration of benefits provided by the Department to veterans and dependents,including compensation,pension,education,home loan guaranty,vocational rehabilitation,and life insurance.
Robert Leon Wilkie Jr. is an American lawyer and government official who served as the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2018 to 2021,during the Trump administration. He was previously Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness during the Trump administration,from November 2017 to July 2018. A Naval intelligence officer in the Reserve,he was Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs in the administration of President George W. Bush.
Robert Alan McDonald served as the eighth United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He is the retired chairman,president,and CEO of Procter &Gamble. In 2014 he became Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Each state in the United States has a senior military officer,as the state adjutant general,who is the de facto commander of a state's military forces,including the National Guard residing within the state,the state's naval militia,and any state defense forces. This officer is known as TAG,and is subordinated to the chief executive. They do not have authority over police forces,only military forces.
Randy C. Reeves is an American military officer and government official who served as the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs from 2017 to 2021. He served in the military for 27 years and is a veteran of the Gulf War,Iraq War,and Operation Enduring Freedom. Prior to assuming his current role,he was the executive director of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board and president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs. He left office on January 20,2021.
John Kai Tien Jr. is an American government official and retired United States Army officer who served as the United States deputy secretary of homeland security in the Biden administration from 2021 to 2023.
Donald Michael Remy is an American attorney,former military officer,and athletic administrator who served in the Biden administration as the 9th United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs between July 2021 and April 2023.
United States Army 
