Historical Office

Office of the Secretary of Defense

Department

of

Defense

Key Officials

September 1947–April 2020

DoD Key Officials 1

Introductory Note

This compilation, prepared by the Historical Office of the Office of the Secretary 

of Defense (OSD), presents information about the Department of Defense (DoD) 

organization and its key officials since its establishment in 1947.

The scope of the work is a Department-wide listing of senior officials, but it does not 

purport to be comprehensive. “Key Officials” is not official terminology, nor is this 

a top-down listing of officials in order of precedence or reporting authority. It lists 

both presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed (PAS) as well as non-PAS officials. 

It includes civilian officials in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the military 

departments as well as the top leadership of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the 

Combatant Commands, and certain DoD field activities and Defense agencies.

This compilation includes titles of some official positions that have been superseded 

by new titles or organizational changes. The text indicates all instances where this has 

occurred. Where an official position has a direct lineal predecessor with a similar scope 

of functions, the prior position is either included with the current position or the text 

indicates where the prior position can be found elsewhere in the publication.

In most entries, the effective date of incumbency is either the swearing-in date or initial 

appointment date. Officials assume office after being appointed to the positions, usually 

followed by a ceremonial swearing in days or weeks later. Dates of DoD directives 

establishing the responsibilities of positions and prescribing functions may appear 

months or sometimes years later. Human resources personnel records, especially for 

the first several decades of the Department, are imperfect. Offices are often without 

a permanent appointee for periods ranging from days to years. During many of these 

periods, there are officials in an “acting” or a “performing the duties of ” capacity. In 

other instances, there is no indication of an acting official, and a time gap is evident. 

Since the enactment of the Federal Vacancies Act of 1998, as amended, designation of 

acting officials and the statutory limitations on how long they are authorized to use the 

designation of “acting” is more closely managed. 

This edition corrects errors that appeared in the 2004 edition and brings the information 

up to date (as of April 2020). Please call any errors that appear in this publication to 

the attention of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Historical Office. Updates to this 

compilation are available at history.defense.gov.
2 DoD Key Officials
DoD Key Officials 3

Contents

Introductory Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

I. Current Department of Defense Key Officials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

II. Secretaries of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

III. Deputy Secretaries of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

IV. Chief Management Officers of the Department of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

V. Secretaries of the Military Departments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

A. Army

B. Navy

C. Air Force

VI. Joint Chiefs of Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

A. Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

B. Vice Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

C. Chiefs of Staff of the Army

D. Chiefs of Naval Operations

E. Chiefs of Staff of the Air Force

F. Commandants of the Marine Corps

G. Chiefs of the National Guard Bureau

H. Directors of the Joint Staff

VII. Under Secretaries of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

A. Research and Engineering

B. Acquisition and Sustainment

C. Policy

D. Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer

E. Personnel and Readiness

F. Intelligence

VIII. Specified Officials* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

A. Directors of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation
4 DoD Key Officials

B. Directors of Operational Test and Evaluation

C. General Counsels of the Department of Defense

D. Inspectors General of the Department of Defense 

IX. Deputy Under Secretaries of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

A. Research and Engineering

B. Acquisition and Sustainment

C. Policy

D. Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer

E. Personnel and Readiness

F. Intelligence

X. Assistant Secretaries of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

A. Current Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions

1. Acquisition

2. Asian and Pacific Security Affairs

3. Energy, Installations, and Environment

4. Health Affairs

5. Homeland Defense and Global Security

6. International Security Affairs

7. Legislative Affairs

8. Sustainment

9. Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs

10. Readiness

11. Manpower and Reserve Affairs

12. Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict

13. Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities

B. Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions

1. Administration 

2. Civil Defense 

3. Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence 

4. Comptroller

5. Public Affairs

6. Manpower

7. Research and Engineering

8. Security Policy

9. Supply, Logistics, and Installations 
DoD Key Officials 5

XI. Other OSD Principal Staff Assistants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

A. Assistants to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs

B. Chief Information Officer

C. Directors of Net Assessment

XII. Combatant Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

A. Current Commands

U.S. Africa Command (Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany)

U.S. Central Command (MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL)

U.S. European Command (Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany)

U.S. Northern Command (Peterson AFB, CO)

U.S. Pacific Command (Camp H. M. Smith, HI)

U.S. Southern Command (Miami, FL)

U.S. Special Operations Command (MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL)

U.S. Strategic Command (Offutt AFB, NE)

U.S. Transportation Command (Scott AFB, IL)

U.S. Cyber Command (Fort Meade, MD)

B. Disestablished Commands

U.S. Aerospace Defense Command: Disestablished 19 December 1986

U.S. Alaskan Command: Disestablished 30 June 1975

U.S. Atlantic Command: Redesignated U.S. Joint Forces Command 1 October 1999

U.S. Continental Air Defense Command: Disestablished 30 June 1975 

U.S. Far East Command: Disestablished 1 July 1957

U.S. Joint Forces Command: Disestablished 4 August 2011

U.S. Forces Command: Terminated as a Specified Command 1 October 1993;

 became an Army Command

U.S. Military Airlift Command: Terminated as a Specified Command 1 October 1988

U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean: Disestablished 1 December 1963

U.S. Northeast Command: Disestablished 1 September 1956

U.S. Readiness Command: Disestablished 30 September 1987

U.S. Space Command: Merged with U.S. Strategic Command 1 October 2002

U.S. Strategic Air Command: Disestablished 1 June 1992

U.S. Strike Command: Disestablished 31 December 1971

XIII. Defense Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

A. Current Defense Agencies

1. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 

2. Defense Commissary Agency
6 DoD Key Officials

3. Defense Contract Audit Agency

4. Defense Contract Management Agency 

5. Defense Finance and Accounting Service 

6. Defense Health Agency

7. Defense Information Systems Agency 

8. Defense Intelligence Agency

9. Defense Legal Services Agency

10. Defense Logistics Agency

11. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

12. Defense Security Cooperation Agency

13. Defense Security Service

14. Defense Threat Reduction Agency

15. Missile Defense Agency

16. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

17. National Reconnaissance Office

18. National Security Agency/Central Security Service

19. Pentagon Force Protection Agency

B. Disestablished Defense Agencies

1. Ballistic Missile Defense Organization

2. Central Imagery Office

3. Defense Audiovisual Agency

4. Defense Audit Service

5. Defense Business Transformation Agency

6. Defense Civil Preparedness Agency

7. Defense Communications Agency

8. Defense Investigative Service

9. Defense Mapping Agency

10. Defense Nuclear Agency

11. Defense Security Assistance Agency

12. Defense Special Weapons Agency

13. Defense Supply Agency

14. National Imagery and Mapping Agency

15. On-Site Inspection Agency

16. Strategic Defense Initiative Organization

XIV. Department of Defense Field Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

A. Defense Media Activity

B. Defense Technical Information Center 
DoD Key Officials 7

C. Defense Technology Security Administration 

D. Department of Defense Education Activity 

E. Department of Defense Human Resources Activity 

F. Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center 

G. Office of Economic Adjustment 

H. Washington Headquarters Services
8 DoD Key Officials
DoD Key Officials 9

I. Current Department of Defense

Key Officials

(not in order of succession or order of precedence)

Secretary of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark T. Esper

Deputy Secretary of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David L. Norquist

Chief Management Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa W. Hershman 

Secretary of the Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan McCarthy

Secretary of the Navy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James McPherson (Acting)

Secretary of the Air Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara M. Barrett

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General Mark A. Milley, USA

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellen M. Lord

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan R. Shaffer

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin M. Fahey

Assistant Secretary of Defense for 

Energy, Installations, and Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucian L. Niemeyer 

Assistant Secretary of Defense for 

Sustainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Jordan Gillis 

Assistant Secretary of Defense for 

Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological 

Defense Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan R. Shaffer (Performing the Duties Of)

Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael D. Griffin

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa J. Porter

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James H. Anderson (Performing the Duties Of)

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy . . . . . . . . . . James H. Anderson (Performing the Duties Of)

Assistant Secretary of Defense for 

Indo-Pacific Security Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Helvey (Acting)

Assistant Secretary of Defense for 

Homeland Defense and Global Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth P. Rapuano

Assistant Secretary of Defense for 

International Security Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathryn Wheelbarger (Performing the Duties Of)

Assistant Secretary of Defense for 

Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict . . . . . . . Thomas Alexander (Performing the Duties Of)

Assistant Secretary of Defense 

for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James H. Anderson
10 DoD Key Officials

Current DoD Key Officials

Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/

Chief Financial Officer, Department of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elaine A. McCusker (Acting)

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elaine A. McCusker

Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew P. Donovan

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense 

for Personnel and Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William G. Bushman (Performing the Duties Of)

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas A. Constable (Acting)

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas P. McCaffery

Assistant Secretary of Defense 

for Manpower and Reserve Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia Penrod (Acting)

Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph D. Kernan

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant

Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation . . . . John E. Whitley (Performing the Duties Of)

Director of Operational Test and Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert F. Behler

General Counsel of the Department of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul C. Ney Jr.

Inspector General of the Department of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sean W. O’Donnell (Acting)

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert R. Hood

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan Hoffman

Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dana Deasy

Director, Net Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James H. Baker
DoD Key Officials 11

II. Secretaries of Defense

JAMES V. FORRESTAL . . . . . 17 SEPTEMBER 1947–28 MARCH 1949

• Born 15 February 1892; died 22 May 1949 

• Served in U.S. Navy during World War I

• Dillon, Read, and Company, 1916–1940

• Under Secretary of the Navy, 1940–1944

• Secretary of the Navy, 1944–1947 

LOUIS A. JOHNSON . . . . . . . . 28 MARCH 1949–19 SEPTEMBER 1950

• Born 10 January 1891; died 24 April 1966

• Served in U.S. Army in France during World War I

• Practicing lawyer

• Helped found American Legion (National Commander, 1932–1933) 

• Assistant Secretary of War, June 1937–July 1940

GEORGE C. MARSHALL . . . 21 SEPTEMBER 1950–12 SEPTEMBER 1951

• Born 31 December 1880; died 16 October 1959

• Commissioned in U.S. Army in 1902

• Became U.S. Army Chief of Staff in September 1939, serving throughout World 

War II until November 1945

• Secretary of State, 1947–1949

• President of American Red Cross, 1949–1950 

• Appointment as Secretary of Defense required a special congressional waiver 

because the National Security Act prohibited a military officer from serving as 

Secretary if he had been on Active duty within the previous 10 years. 

ROBERT A. LOVETT . . . . . . . 17 SEPTEMBER 1951–20 JANUARY 1953

• Born 14 September 1895; died 7 May 1986

• Served in U.S. Navy as a pilot in World War I 

• Brown Brothers Harriman and Company, 1926–1940; 1946–1947; 1949–1950

• Special Assistant to the Secretary of War beginning in December 1940; Assistant 

Secretary of War for Air, April 1941–December 1945 

• Under Secretary of State, 1947–1949

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 4 October 1950–16 September 1951

CHARLES E. WILSON . . . . . 28 JANUARY 1953–8 OCTOBER 1957

• Born 18 July 1890; died 26 September 1961

• Westinghouse Electric Company, 1909–1919

• General Motors Corporation, 1919–1952 (president, 1941–1952)

NEIL H. McELROY . . . . . . . . . 9 OCTOBER 1957–1 DECEMBER 1959

• Born 30 October 1904; died 30 November 1972

• Procter and Gamble, 1925–1957 (president, 1948–1957)

THOMAS S. GATES JR. . . . . . 2 DECEMBER 1959–20 JANUARY 1961

• Born 10 April 1906; died 25 March 1983

• Served in U.S. Navy during World War II

• Drexel and Company, 1928–1953

• Under Secretary of the Navy, 1953–1957 

• Secretary of the Navy, 1957–1959 

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 8 June 1959—1 December 1959 
12 DoD Key Officials

Secretaries of Defense

ROBERT S. McNAMARA . . . . 21 JANUARY 1961–29 FEBRUARY 1968

• Born 9 June 1916; died 6 July 2009

• Served in U.S. Army Air Forces, 1943–1946

• With Ford Motor Company, including as president and director, 1946–1961

• President of the World Bank, 1968–1981 

CLARK M. CLIFFORD . . . . . 1 MARCH 1968–20 JANUARY 1969

• Born 25 December 1906; died 10 October 1998 

• Served in U.S. Navy during World War II; naval aide to the President, 1944–1946 

• Special counsel to the President, 1946–1950 

• Practicing lawyer, 1950–1968 

MELVIN R. LAIRD . . . . . . . . . 22 JANUARY 1969–29 JANUARY 1973

• Born 1 September 1922; died 16 November 2016

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1942–1946

• Member of U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin, 1953–1969

ELLIOT L. RICHARDSON . . . 30 JANUARY 1973–24 MAY 1973

• Born 20 July 1920; died 31 December 1999

• Served in U.S. Army, 1942–1945

• Assistant Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), 1957–1959

• Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, 1965–1967

• Under Secretary of State, 1969–1970

• Secretary of HEW, 1970–1973

• U.S. Attorney General, 1973–1973

JAMES R. SCHLESINGER . . . 2 JULY 1973–19 NOVEMBER 1975

• Born 15 February 1929; died 27 March 2014

• RAND Corporation, 1963–1967

• Assistant Director of the Bureau of the Budget, 1969

• Assistant Director of the Office of Management and Budget, 1970–1971

• Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, 1971–1973

• Director of Central Intelligence, 1973

• First Secretary of the new Department of Energy, 1977–1979

DONALD H. RUMSFELD . . . 20 NOVEMBER 1975–20 JANUARY 1977

• Born 9 July 1932

• Served in U.S. Navy as a pilot in the 1950s

• Member of Congress from Illinois, 1963–1969

• Assistant and counselor to President Richard Nixon, 1969

• Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity and Director of the Cost of 

Living Council

• U.S. Ambassador to NATO, 1973–1974

• Assistant to President Gerald Ford serving as Director of the White House Office 

of Operations, 1974–1975

• Chief executive officer of G.D. Searle and Company, 1977–1985

• In private business, 1985–1990 

• Chairman and chief executive officer, General Instrument Corporation, 1990–

1993 

• In private business, 1993–2001

HAROLD BROWN . . . . . . . . . 21 JANUARY 1977–20 JANUARY 1981

• Born 19 September 1927; died 4 January 2019

• Staff member, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, 1952–1960; president, 1960–

1961
DoD Key Officials 13

Secretaries of Defense

• Director of Defense Research and Engineering, 1961–1965

• Secretary of the Air Force, 1965–1969

• President, California Institute of Technology, 1969–1977

CASPAR W. WEINBERGER . . 21 JANUARY 1981–23 NOVEMBER 1987

• Born 18 August 1917; died 28 March 2006

• Served in U.S. Army during World War II, member of General Douglas 

MacArthur’s intelligence staff

• Director of the Office of Management and Budget, 1972–1973

• Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1973–1975

• General counsel, vice president, and director of the Bechtel Corporation, 1975–

1981

FRANK C. CARLUCCI . . . . . . 23 NOVEMBER 1987–20 JANUARY 1989*

• Born 18 October 1930; died 3 June 2018

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1952–1954 Director of the Office of Economic 

Opportunity, 1970–1972 

• Under Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1972–1974 

• Ambassador to Portugal, 1975–1978

• Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, 1978–1981

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 4 February 1981–31 December 1982 

• National Security Advisor, 1986–1987

*Deputy Secretary of Defense William H. Taft served as acting Secretary of Defense from 20 January 1989 until 21 March 1989.

RICHARD B. CHENEY . . . . . . 21 MARCH 1989–20 JANUARY 1993

• Born 30 January 1941

• Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, 1969–

1970

• Deputy to the Presidential Counselor, 1970–1971

• Assistant Director of Operations of the Cost of Living Council, 1971–1973

• Assistant to the President, 1975–1977

• Member of U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming, 1978–1989

LESLIE (LES) ASPIN . . . . . . . 20 JANUARY 1993–3 FEBRUARY 1994

• Born 21 July 1938; died 21 May 1995

• Served in U.S. Army, 1966–1968

• Taught economics at Marquette University, 1968–1970 

• Member of U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin, 1971–1993 

(Chairman, House Armed Services Committee, 1985–1993)

WILLIAM J. PERRY . . . . . . . . 3 FEBRUARY 1994–24 JANUARY 1997

• Born 11 October 1927 

• Served in U.S. Army, 1946–1947

• Director of Sylvania/GTE Defense Electronic Laboratories, 1954–1964

• President of ESL Inc., 1964–1977

• Director of Defense Research and Engineering, April–October 1977

• Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, 1977–1981

• Director of Stanford University Center for International Security and Arms 

Control, 1989–1993

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, March 1993–February 1994

WILLIAM S. COHEN . . . . . . . 24 JANUARY 1997–20 JANUARY 2001

• Born 28 August 1940

• Practicing lawyer

• Mayor of Bangor, Maine, 1971–1972
14 DoD Key Officials

Secretaries of Defense

• Member of U.S. House of Representatives from Maine, 1973–1979

• U.S. Senator from Maine, 1979–1997 

DONALD H. RUMSFELD . . . 20 JANUARY 2001–18 DECEMBER 2006

• See previous entry 

ROBERT M. GATES . . . . . . . . 18 DECEMBER 2006–1 JULY 2011

• Born 25 September 1943

• Served in U.S. Air Force intelligence, 1967–1969

• Central Intelligence Agency, 1966–1974

• National Security Council staff, 1974–1979

• Central Intelligence Agency, 1979–1989

• Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Deputy National 

Security Advisor, 1989–1991

• Director of Central Intelligence, 1991–1993

• Interim Dean, George Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas 

A&M University, 1999–2001

• President, Texas A&M University, 2002–2006

LEON E. PANETTA . . . . . . . . . 1 JULY 2011–26 FEBRUARY 2013

• Born 28 June 1938

• Served in U.S. Army intelligence, 1964–1966

• Member of U.S. House of Representatives from California, 1977–1993 

(Chairman, House Budget Committee, 1989–1993)

• Director, Office of Management and Budget, 1993–1994

• White House Chief of Staff, 1994–1997

• Director of Central Intelligence, 2009–2011

CHARLES T. HAGEL . . . . . . . 27 FEBRUARY 2013–17 FEBRUARY 2015

• Born 4 October 1946

• Served in U.S. Army, Infantry, 1967–1968

• Deputy Administrator, U.S. Veterans Administration, 1981–1982

• President and chief executive officer of the Private Sector Council, 1990–1992

• President, McCarthy & Co., 1992–1996

• Member of U.S. Senate from Nebraska, 1996–2009

ASHTON B. CARTER . . . . . . . 17 FEBRUARY 2015–19 JANUARY 2017

• Born 24 September 1954

• Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, 1993–1996

• Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, 2009–

2011

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 6 October 2011–3 December 2013

• Senior Executive, John and Mary R. Markle Foundation, Inc., 2014

• Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution

• Board of Directors, Atlantic Council of the United States

JAMES N. MATTIS . . . . . . . . 20 JANUARY 2017–31 DECEMBER 2018

• Born 8 September 1950

• Commissioned in U.S. Marine Corps, 1971

• NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation, 2007-2010

• Commander, USCENTCOM, 2010-2013

• Davies Family Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution, 2014–2017

PATRICK M. SHANAHAN . . . 1 JANUARY 2019–23 JUNE 2019 (Acting)

• See profile in part III, Deputy Secretaries of Defense
DoD Key Officials 15

MARK T. ESPER . . . . . . . . . . . 24 JUNE 2019–15 JULY 2019 (Acting)

• See Profile in part V, Secretaries of the Military Departments

RICHARD V. SPENCER . . . . . 15 JULY 2019–23 JULY 2019 (Acting)

• See Profile in part V, Secretaries of the Military Departments

MARK T. ESPER . . . . . . . . . . . 23 JULY 2019–PRESENT

• Executive Vice President, Global Intellectual Property Center, U.S. Chamber of 

Commerce, 2008–2010

• Vice President, Raytheon Company, 2010–2017

• Secretary of the Army, 2017–2019

• Acting Secretary of Defense, 24 June 2019–15 July 2019
16 DoD Key Officials

Deputy Secretaries of Defense

III. Deputy Secretaries of Defense

PL 81-36, 2 April 1949, originally established this position as Under Secretary of Defense. PL 81-216, 10 

August 1949, the 1949 Amendments to the National Security Act of 1947, changed the title to Deputy Secretary 

of Defense. 

PL 92-596, 27 October 1972, established a second Deputy position, with both Deputies performing duties as 

prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. The second deputy position was not filled until December 1975. PL 

95-140, 21 October 1977, the law establishing two Under Secretaries of Defense, abolished the second Deputy 

position.

By delegation, the Deputy Secretary of Defense has full power and authority to act for the Secretary of Defense 

and to exercise the powers of the Secretary on any and all matters for which the Secretary is authorized to act 

pursuant to the law. 

STEPHEN T. EARLY . . . . . . . 10 AUGUST 1949–30 SEPTEMBER 1950

• Born 27 August 1889; died 11 August 1951

• Served in U.S. Army in France, World War I

• Journalist

• Assistant to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933–1945

• Under Secretary of Defense, 2 May 1949–9 August 1949, when the position title 

changed. 

ROBERT A. LOVETT . . . . . . 4 OCTOBER 1950–16 SEPTEMBER 1951

• Secretary of Defense, 17 September 1951—20 January 1953 (see profile in part 

II, Secretaries of Defense)

WILLIAM C. FOSTER . . . . . 24 SEPTEMBER 1951–20 JANUARY 1953

• Born 27 April 1897; died 16 October 1984

• Served in U.S. Army in World War I

• Under Secretary of Commerce, 1946–1948 

• Administrator of the Economic Cooperation Administration, 1948–1951

ROGER M. KYES . . . . . . . . . 2 FEBRUARY 1953–1 MAY 1954 

• Born 6 March 1906; died 13 February 1971

• General Motors Corporation, 1950–1953; 1959–1970

ROBERT B. ANDERSON . . . 3 MAY 1954–4 AUGUST 1955

• Born 4 June 1910; died 14 August 1989

• Practicing lawyer; various local government offices in Texas

• Secretary of the Navy, 1953–1954

• Secretary of the Treasury, 1957–1961

REUBEN B. ROBERTSON JR. 5 AUGUST 1955–25 APRIL 1957

• Born 27 June 1908; died 13 March 1960

• Served in U.S. Army in World War II

• Champion Paper and Fibre Company, 1930–1955 and 1957–1960 (president, 

1950–1955 and 1957–1960)

• Vice chairman of the Committee on Business Organization of the Department of 

Defense, a task force of the Hoover Commission

DONALD A. QUARLES . . . . 1 MAY 1957–8 MAY 1959

• Born 30 July 1894; died 8 May 1959

• Served in U.S. Army in World War I
DoD Key Officials 17

Deputy Secretaries of Defense

• Engineer with Bell Telephone Laboratories from 1919

• President of Sandia Corporation, 1952

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research and Development), 1953–1955

• Secretary of the Air Force, 1955–1957 

THOMAS S. GATES JR. . . . . 8 JUNE 1959–1 DECEMBER 1959

• Secretary of Defense, 2 December 1959–20 January 1961 (see profile in part II, 

Secretaries of Defense)

JAMES H. DOUGLAS JR. . . 11 DECEMBER 1959–24 JANUARY 1961

• Born 11 March 1899; died 24 February 1988

• Served in U.S. Army, 1918, and U.S. Army Air Forces, 1942–1945

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 1953–1957

• Secretary of the Air Force, 1957–1959

ROSWELL L. GILPATRIC . . 24 JANUARY 1961–20 JANUARY 1964

• Born 4 November 1906; died 15 March 1996

• Practicing lawyer, 1931–1951

• Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, 5 May 1951–29 October 1951

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 1951–1953

CYRUS R. VANCE . . . . . . . . 28 JANUARY 1964–30 JUNE 1967

• Born 27 March 1917; died 12 January 2002

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1942–1946

• Special counsel of the Senate Armed Services Preparedness Investigating 

Subcommittee

• General Counsel of the Department of Defense, 1961–1962

• Secretary of the Army, 1962–1964

PAUL H. NITZE . . . . . . . . . . . 1 JULY 1967–20 JANUARY 1969

• Born 27 March 1917; died 12 January 2002

• Dillon, Read, and Company, 1929–1937

• Served in various capacities with the U.S. Government during World War II 

before becoming director, then vice chairman, of the U.S. Strategic Bombing 

Survey, 1944–1946

• U.S. Department of State, 1946–1953

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs), 1961–1963

• Secretary of the Navy, 1963–1967 

DAVID PACKARD . . . . . . . . 24 JANUARY 1969–13 DECEMBER 1971

• 7 September 1912; died 26 March 1996

• Hewlett-Packard Company, 1939–1969 (president, 1947–1964, and chief 

executive officer, 1964–1969) 

KENNETH RUSH . . . . . . . . . 23 FEBRUARY 1972–29 JANUARY 1973

• Born 17 January 1910; died 11 December 1994

• Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, 1969–1972

• Became Deputy Secretary of State after his tenure as Deputy Secretary of 

Defense

WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS JR. 30 JANUARY 1973–20 JANUARY 1977

• Born 13 April 1917; died 29 May 2011

• Member of the Department of Defense Blue Ribbon Defense Panel, 1969–1970

• Governor of Texas, 1979–1983, 1987–1991
18 DoD Key Officials

Deputy Secretaries of Defense

ROBERT F. ELLSWORTH . . 23 DECEMBER 1975–10 JANUARY 1977*

• Born 11 June 1926; died 9 May 2011

• Member of Congress from Kansas, 1961–1967

*Filled the position of Second Deputy Secretary of Defense, created by PL 92-956 in 1972 but not previously filled. Position was 

abolished by PL 95-140, 21 October 1977.

CHARLES W. DUNCAN JR. 31 JANUARY 1977–26 JULY 1979

• Born 9 September 1926

• Served in U.S. Army Air Forces, 1944–1946

• Coca-Cola Company, 1964–1974 (president, 1971–1974)

• Became Secretary of Energy upon completion of tenure as Deputy Secretary of 

Defense

W. GRAHAM CLAYTOR JR. 24 AUGUST 1979–16 JANUARY 1981

• Born 14 March 1912; died 14 May 1994

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1941–1946

• Practicing lawyer

• President and chairman of the Southern Railway Company, 1967–1977

• Secretary of the Navy, 1977–1979

• Acting Secretary of Transportation, 1979

FRANK C. CARLUCCI . . . . . 4 FEBRUARY 1981–31 DECEMBER 1982

• Secretary of Defense, 23 November 1987–20 January 1989 (see profile in part II, 

Secretaries of Defense)

W. PAUL THAYER . . . . . . . . 12 JANUARY 1983–4 JANUARY 1984

• Born 23 November 1919; died 6 May 2010

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1941–1945

• Chance Vought (later LTV Aerospace Corporation) 

WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT IV 3 FEBRUARY 1984–22 APRIL 1989

• Born 13 September 1945

• Office of Management and Budget, 1970–1973

• Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1973–1977

• General Counsel of the Department of Defense, 1981–1984

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 1984–1989

• Acting Secretary of Defense from Secretary Frank Carlucci’s departure on 20 

January 1989 until the swearing in of Secretary Richard B. Cheney on 21 March 

1989

• Permanent Representative of the United States to the North Atlantic Council after 

his tenure as Deputy Secretary of Defense

DONALD J. ATWOOD JR. . . 24 APRIL 1989–20 JANUARY 1993

• Born 25 May 1924; died 24 April 1994

• Served in U.S. Army, 1943–1945

• General Motors Corporation, 1959–1985 

WILLIAM J. PERRY . . . . . . . 5 MARCH 1993–3 FEBRUARY 1994

• Secretary of Defense, 3 February 1994–24 January 1997 (see profile in part II, 

Secretaries of Defense)

JOHN M. DEUTCH . . . . . . . . 11 MARCH 1994–10 MAY 1995

• Born 27 July 1938

• Systems analyst, Office of Secretary of Defense, 1961–1965

• Professor, Princeton, 1967–1970, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
DoD Key Officials 19

(MIT), 1970–1982

• Provost, MIT, 1985–1990

• Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology), 1993–1994

JOHN P. WHITE . . . . . . . . . . . 22 JUNE 1995–15 JULY 1997

• Born 27 February 1937; died 3 September 2017

• Economist with RAND Corporation, 1968–1977

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs, and Logistics), 

1977–1978

• Deputy Director, Office of Management and Budget, 1978–1981

• Chairman, Commission on Roles and Missions of the Armed Forces, 1994–1995

JOHN J. HAMRE . . . . . . . . . . 29 JULY 1997–31 MARCH 2000

• Born 3 July 1950

• Congressional Budget Office, 1978–1984

• Staff member, Senate Armed Services Committee, 1984–1993

• Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), 1993– 1997

RUDY deLEON . . . . . . . . . . . 31 MARCH 2000–1 MARCH 2001

• Born 28 August 1952

• Legislative assistant, U.S. Senate, 1974–1977

• Staff member, House Armed Services Committee, 1985–1989

• Staff director, House Armed Services Committee, 1989–1993

• Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, 1993–1994

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 1994–1997

• Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness), 1997–2000

PAUL D. WOLFOWITZ . . . . . 2 MARCH 2001–13 MAY 2005

• Born 22 December 1943

• U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, 1973–1977

• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Regional Programs, 1977–1980

• State Department, 1981–1986

• Ambassador to Indonesia, 1986–1989

• Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), 1989–1993

• Dean, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, 1993–2001

GORDON R. ENGLAND . . . 4 JANUARY 2006–11 FEBRUARY 2009 

• 15 September 1937

• Honeywell, Litton Industries, and General Dynamics 

• Secretary of the Navy, 24 May 2001–24 January 2003; 1 October 2003–29 

December 2005 

• Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, 24 January 2003–30 

September 2003 

• Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense, 13 May 2005–3 January 2006

WILLIAM J. LYNN III . . . . . 12 FEBRUARY 2009–5 OCTOBER 2011

• Born 1 January 1954

• Liaison to Senate Armed Services Committee for Senator Edward Kennedy, 

1987–1993

• Director, Program Analysis and Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of 

Defense, 1993–1997

• Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), 1997–2001

• Senior vice president, government operations and strategy, Raytheon Company, 

2002–2009
20 DoD Key Officials

Secretaries of the Military Departments

ASHTON B. CARTER . . . . . . 6 OCTOBER 2011–4 DECEMBER 2013

• (see profile in part II, Secretaries of Defense)

CHRISTINE H. FOX (Acting) 5 DECEMBER 2013–30 APRIL 2014

• Born 26 May 1955

• President of the Center for Naval Analyses, 2004–2009

• Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, 2009–2013

• Senior Advisor, National Security Analysis Department at The Johns Hopkins 

University, 2013

ROBERT O. WORK . . . . . . . 5 MAY 2014–19 JUNE 2017

• Born 17 January 1953

• Served in U.S. Marine Corps, 1974–2001

• Vice President, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, 2002-2009

• Under Secretary of the Navy, 2009–2013

• President, Center for New American Security, 2013-2014

PATRICK M. SHANAHAN . 19 JUNE 2017–23 JUNE 2019

• Born 27 June 1962

• Vice President and General Manager, Missile Defense Systems, The Boeing 

Company, 2004-2007

• Vice President and General Manager, 787 Dreamliner Program, The Boeing 

Company, 2007-2009

• Senior Vice President & General Manager, Airplane Programs, Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, The Boeing Company, 2009-2016 

• Senior Vice President, Supply Chain & Operations, The Boeing Company, 2016-2017

• Acting Secretary of Defense, 1 January 2019–

DAVID L. NORQUIST . . . . . . . . 1 JANUARY 2019–23 JULY 2019

(Performing the Duties Of)

RICHARD V. SPENCER . . . . . 23 JULY 2019-30 JULY 2019

(Performing the Duties Of) • See Profile in part V, Secretaries of the Military Departments

DAVID L. NORQUIST . . . . . . . 31 JULY-PRESENT

• Born 24 November 1966

• Presidential Fellow, CCP Program/Budget Analyst, Department of the Army, 

1989-1995

• Director, Resource Management, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, 

1995-1997

• Professional staffer, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, 1997-2002

• Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller), 2002-2006

• Chief Financial Officer, Department of Homeland Security, 2006-2008

• Partner, Kearney and Company, 2008-2017

• Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), 2017-2019

• Performed the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Defense, 1 January 2019-23 July 

2019
DoD Key Officials 21

Secretaries of the Military Departments

IV. Chief Management Officers of the 

Department of Defense

The Chief Management Office (CMO) was created under Public Law 114–328 in the National Defense 

Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2017, amended in NDAA 2018. The CMO is responsible for managing the 

business operations of the Department, establishing policies on, and supervising, all business operations of the 

Department, including business transformation, business planning and processes, performance management, and 

business information technology management and improvement activities and programs, including the allocation 

of resources for business operations, and unifying business management efforts across the Department. The 

CMO will also serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary on all business operations activities and programs 

in the Department; and has the authority to direct the Secretaries of the military departments and the heads 

of all other elements of the Department with regard to matters for which the Chief Management Officer has 

responsibility.

John H. Gibson II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 February 2018–30 November 2018

Lisa W. Hershman (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 December 2018–5 July 2019

Lisa W. Hershman (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 July 2019–30 December 2019

Lisa W. Hershman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 December 2019–Present
22 DoD Key Officials

Secretaries of the Military Departments

V. Secretaries of the Military Departments

The National Security Act of 1947 established three military departments—the Department of the Army (renaming 

of the former War Department), the Department of the Navy (comprised of the Navy and Marine Corps), and the 

newly created Department of the Air Force. All three were executive departments, each headed by a Secretary. 

The amendments of 1949 (PL 81-216, 10 August 1949) changed the status of the departments from “executive” 

to “military,” the Secretaries thus giving up their seats in the Cabinet and the National Security Council. On 31 

December 1958, the Secretary of Defense issued DoD Directive 5100.1 establishing two command lines, one for 

operational direction of the armed forces through the JCS to unified and specified commands and the second for the 

direction of support activities through the Secretaries of the military departments.

A. Army

KENNETH C. ROYALL . . . . . 18 SEPTEMBER 1947–27 APRIL 1949

• Served in U.S. Army in World Wars I and II

• Practicing lawyer, 1919–1942

• Under Secretary of War, 9 November 1945–18 July 1947

• Secretary of War, 19 July 1947–17 September 1947

GORDON GRAY . . . . . . . . . . . 20 JUNE 1949–12 APRIL 1950

• Served in U.S. Army, 1942–1945

• Publishing and radio, 1935–1947

• Assistant Secretary of the Army, 1947–1949

• Special Assistant to the President, 1950

FRANK PACE JR. . . . . . . . . . 12 APRIL 1950–20 JANUARY 1953

• Served in U.S. Army Air Forces, 1942–1946

• Assistant Director and then Director of the Bureau of the Budget, 1948–1950

ROBERT T. STEVENS . . . . . . 4 FEBRUARY 1953–20 JULY 1955

• Served in U.S. Army in World Wars I and II

• J.P. Stevens and Company, Inc., 1921–1942, 1945–1953 

WILBER M. BRUCKER . . . . . 21 JULY 1955–20 JANUARY 1961 

• Served with National Guard on Mexican border in 1916 and with U.S. Army in 

World War I

• Practicing lawyer 

• Governor of Michigan, 1930–1932

• Counsel of the Department of Defense, 1954–1955

ELVIS J. STAHR JR. . . . . . . . 24 JANUARY 1961–30 JUNE 1962

• Served in U.S. Army in World War II 

• Practicing lawyer 

• Special Assistant to Secretary of the Army, 1951–1952 

• President, University of West Virginia, 1959–1961 

CYRUS R. VANCE . . . . . . . . . 5 JULY 1962–27 JANUARY 1964 

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 28 January 1964–30 June 1967 (see profile in part 

III, Deputy Secretaries of Defense)

STEPHEN AILES . . . . . . . . . . . 28 JANUARY 1964–1 JULY 1965

• Practicing lawyer

• Counsel to U.S. Economic Mission to Greece, 1947

• Under Secretary of the Army, 1961–1964
DoD Key Officials 23

Secretaries of the Military Departments

STANLEY R. RESOR . . . . . . . 5 JULY 1965–30 JUNE 1971 

• Served in U.S. Army, 1942–1945

• Practicing lawyer

• Under Secretary of the Army, April–July 1965

• Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), 1978–1979

ROBERT F. FROEHLKE . . . . . 1 JULY 1971–14 MAY 1973

• Served in U.S. Army, 1943–1946

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Administration), 1969–1971

HOWARD H. CALLAWAY . . . 15 MAY 1973–3 JULY 1975

• Served in U.S. Army in Korea, 1949–1952

• Member of Congress from Georgia, 1965–1967

MARTIN R. HOFFMANN . . . . 5 AUGUST 1975–13 FEBRUARY 1977

• Served in U.S. Army, 1954–1956 

• General Counsel of the Department of Defense, 1974–1975 

CLIFFORD L. ALEXANDER JR. . 14 FEBRUARY 1977–20 JANUARY 1981

• Practicing lawyer

• Special Assistant to the President, 1964–1965

• Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 1967–1969

PERCY A. PIERRE (Acting) . . 21–30 JANUARY 1981 

JOHN O. MARSH JR. . . . . . . . 30 JANUARY 1981–13 AUGUST 1989

• Served in U.S. Army, 1944–1947

• Member of U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia, 1963–1971

• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, 1973–1974

• Assistant to the Vice President, 1974

• Counselor to the President, 1974–1977

MICHAEL P.W. STONE . . . . . 14 AUGUST 1989–20 JANUARY 1993

• Sterling Vineyards, 1968–1982

• Director of U.S. Mission in Cairo, 1982–1984

• Under Secretary of the Army, 1988–1989

JOHN W. SHANNON (Acting) 20 JANUARY 1993–26 AUGUST 1993

• Concurrently Under Secretary of the Army and Acting Secretary of the Army

GORDON R. SULLIVAN (Acting) 28 AUGUST 1993–21 NOVEMBER 1993

• Concurrently Chief of Staff of the Army and Acting Secretary of the Army

TOGO D. WEST JR. . . . . . . . . 22 NOVEMBER 1993–4 MAY 1997

• Served in U.S. Army, 1969–1973

• Associate Deputy Attorney, Department of Justice, 1975–1976

• General Counsel of the Department of the Navy, 1977–1979

• Special Assistant to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, 1979–1980

• DoD General Counsel, 1980–1981

ROBERT M. WALKER (Acting) 2 JANUARY 1998–2 JULY 1998 

• Concurrently Under Secretary of the Army and Acting Secretary of the Army

LOUIS CALDERA . . . . . . . . . . 2 JULY 1998–20 JANUARY 2001

• Served in U.S. Army, 1978–1983

• Practicing lawyer
24 DoD Key Officials

Secretaries of the Military Departments

• California State Assemblyman, 1992–1997 

• Managing director and chief operating officer, Corporation for National Service, 

1997–1998 

GREGORY R. DAHLBERG (Acting) 20 JANUARY 2001–4 MARCH 2001

• Concurrently Under Secretary of the Army and Acting Secretary of the Army

JOSEPH W. WESTPHAL (Acting) 5 MARCH 2001–31 MAY 2001

• Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), 1998–2001

THOMAS E. WHITE . . . . . . . . 31 MAY 2001–9 MAY 2003

• Served in U.S. Army, 1967–1990 

• Enron Corporation, 1990–2001 

R. LES BROWNLEE (Acting) 10 MAY 2003–18 NOVEMBER 2004

• Served in U.S. Army, 1962–1984

• Staff, Senate Armed Services Committee, 1987–2001 

• Under Secretary of the Army, 2001–2004

FRANCIS J. HARVEY . . . . . . . 19 NOVEMBER 2004–9 MARCH 2007

• Westinghouse Corporation, 1969–1997 

PRESTON M. GEREN . . . . . . 16 JULY 2007–21 SEPTEMBER 2009

• Practicing lawyer

• Member of U.S. House of Representatives from Texas, 1989–1997

• Special Assistant to Secretary of Defense, 2001–2005

• Acting Secretary of the Air Force, 29 July 2005–November 2005

• Under Secretary of the Army, 2006–2007

• Acting Secretary of the Army, March 2007–16 July 2007 

JOHN M. McHUGH . . . . . . . . . 21 SEPTEMBER 2009–14 AUGUST 2015

• Member of U.S. House of Representatives from New York, 1992–2009

ERIC K. FANNING . . . . . . . . . 18 MAY 2016–20 JANUARY 2017

• Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy/Deputy Chief Management Officer, 2009-2013

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 2013-2015

ROBERT M. SPEER . . . . . . . . 20 JANUARY 2017–2 AUGUST 2017

RYAN MCCARTHY . . . . . . . . . 2 AUGUST 2017–16 NOVEMBER 2017

(Performing the Duties Of)

MARK T. ESPER . . . . . . . . . . . 15 NOVEMBER 2017–24 JUNE 2019

• Executive Vice President, Global Intellectual Property Center, U.S. Chamber of 

Commerce, 2008-2010

• Vice President, Raytheon Company, 2010-2017

RYAN MCCARTHY . . . . . . . . 24 JUNE 2019-15 JULY 2019

(Performing the Duties Of)

MARK T. ESPER . . . . . . . . . . . 15 JULY 2019-23 JULY 2019

RYAN MCCARTHY (Acting) . 23 JULY 2019-29 SEPTEMBER 2019

RYAN MCCARTHY . . . . . . . . . 30 SEPTEMBER 2019–PRESENT
DoD Key Officials 25

Secretaries of the Military Departments

B. Navy

JOHN L. SULLIVAN . . . . . . . . 18 SEPTEMBER 1947–24 MAY 1949

• Served in U.S. Navy in World War I

• Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, 1940–1944

• Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air, 1945–1946

• Under Secretary of the Navy, 1946–1947 

FRANCIS P. MATTHEWS . . . . 25 MAY 1949–30 JULY 1951

• Practicing lawyer and business executive

• Ambassador to Ireland

DAN A. KIMBALL . . . . . . . . . 31 JULY 1951–3 FEBRUARY 1953

• U.S. Army Air Service in World War I

• Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air, 9 March 1949–24 March 1949

• Under Secretary of the Navy, 1949–1951 

ROBERT B. ANDERSON . . . . 4 FEBRUARY 1953–2 MAY 1954

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 3 May 1954–4 August 1955 (see profile in part III, 

Deputy Secretaries of Defense)

CHARLES S. THOMAS . . . . . 3 MAY 1954–31 MARCH 1957

• Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy, 1942–1945

• Under Secretary of the Navy, 9 February 1953–5 August 1953

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Supply and Logistics), 1953–1954 

THOMAS S. GATES JR. . . . . . 1 APRIL 1957–7 JUNE 1959

• Secretary of Defense, 2 December 1959–20 January 1961(see profile in part II, 

Secretaries of Defense)

WILLIAM B. FRANKE . . . . . 8 JUNE 1959–20 JANUARY 1961

• Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, 1951–1952

• Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management), 1954–1957

• Under Secretary of the Navy, 1957–1959 

JOHN B. CONNALLY . . . . . . 25 JANUARY 1961–20 DECEMBER 1961

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1942–1946

• Governor of Texas, 1963–1969

FRED H. KORTH . . . . . . . . . . . 4 JANUARY 1962–1 NOVEMBER 1963

• Served in U.S. Army, 1942–1946

• Assistant Secretary of the Army, 1952–1953

• Consultant to the Secretary of the Army, 1953–1960

PAUL H. NITZE . . . . . . . . . . . 29 NOVEMBER 1963–30 JUNE 1967

• Deputy Secretary of Defense,1 July 1967–20 January 1969 (see profile in part III, 

Deputy Secretaries of Defense)

CHARLES F. BAIRD (Acting) 1 JULY 1967–31 AUGUST 1967

• Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller), 

1966–1967

• Under Secretary of the Navy, 1967–1969 

PAUL R. IGNATIUS . . . . . . . . 1 SEPTEMBER 1967–24 JANUARY 1969

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1943–1946

• Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations and Logistics), 1961–1964
26 DoD Key Officials

Secretaries of the Military Departments

• Under Secretary of the Army, 1964

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Installations and Logistics), 1964–1967

JOHN H. CHAFEE . . . . . . . . . 31 JANUARY 1969–4 MAY 1972

• Served in U.S. Marine Corps, 1942–1945, 1951–1952 

• Governor of Rhode Island, 1963–1969

JOHN W. WARNER . . . . . . . . . 4 MAY 1972–8 APRIL 1974

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1944–1946, and U.S. Marine Corps, 1950–1952

• Under Secretary of the Navy, 1969–1972

• Administrator of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, 1974–

1976

J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II 10 JUNE 1974–20 JANUARY 1977

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1945–1946

• Ambassador to the Netherlands, 1969–1973 

W. GRAHAM CLAYTOR JR. 14 FEBRUARY 1977–26 JULY 1979

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 24 August 1979–16 January 1981 (see profile in 

part III, Deputy Secretaries of Defense)

EDWARD HIDALGO . . . . . . . 27 JULY 1979–29 JANUARY 1981

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1942–1946

• Special Assistant to Secretary of the Navy, 1945–1946, 1965–1966

• Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower, Reserve Affairs, and Logistics, 

1977–1979

JOHN F. LEHMAN JR. . . . . . . 5 FEBRUARY 1981–10 APRIL 1987

• Special counsel and senior staff member, National Security Council, 1969–1974, 

and counsel, National Security Council, 1974–1975 

• Deputy Director, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, 1975–1977

JAMES H. WEBB JR. . . . . . . . 10 APRIL 1987–23 FEBRUARY 1988

• Served in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1968–1972

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs), 1984–1987

WILLIAM L. BALL III . . . . . . 24 MARCH 1988–15 MAY 1989

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1969–1975

• Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, 1985–1986

• Assistant to the President, 1986–1988 

H. LAWRENCE GARRETT III 15 MAY 1989–26 JUNE 1992

• Enlisted in U.S. Navy, 1961; retired as commander, 1981 

• Assistant Counsel to the President, 1981, and Associate Counsel, 

1983–1986

• General Counsel of the Department of Defense, 1986–1987

• Under Secretary of the Navy, 1987–1989 

SEAN O’KEEFE . . . . . . . . . . . 16 DECEMBER 1992–20 JANUARY 1993

• Department of Defense Comptroller, 1989–1992

• Acting Secretary of the Navy, 7 July 1992–16 December 1992

JOHN H. DALTON . . . . . . . . . 22 JULY 1993–16 NOVEMBER 1998

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1964–1969

• Federal Home Loan Bank Board, 1979–1981 
DoD Key Officials 27

Secretaries of the Military Departments

RICHARD DANZIG . . . . . . . . 16 NOVEMBER 1998–20 JANUARY 2001

• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs, and 

Logistics), 1978–1979

• Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs, and 

Logistics), 1979–1981

• Under Secretary of the Navy, 1993–1997 

GORDON R. ENGLAND . . . . 24 MAY 2001–24 JANUARY 2003 

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 13 May 2005–20 January 2009 (see profile in part 

III, Deputy Secretaries of Defense)

HANSFORD T. JOHNSON . . . 7 FEBRUARY 2003–1 OCTOBER 2003

(Acting)

GORDON R.ENGLAND . . . . . 1 OCTOBER 2003–29 DECEMBER 2005

• See profile above

DIONEL M. AVILES (Acting) 29 DECEMBER 2005–3 JANUARY 2006

DONALD C. WINTER . . . . . . 3 JANUARY 2006–13 MARCH 2009

• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, 1980–1983

• President and chief executive officer of TRW Systems, 2000–2002 

B. J. PENN (Acting) . . . . . . . . . 13 MARCH 2009–19 MAY 2009

• Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations, and Environment), 

2005–2009

RAYMOND E. MABUS . . . . . . 18 JUNE 2009–19 JANUARY 2017

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1970–1972

• Governor of Mississippi, 1998–2002

• Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 1994–1996

RICHARD V. SPENCER . . . . . 3 AUGUST 2017–15 July 2019

• Served in U.S. Marine Corps, 1976-1981

• Governor of Mississippi, 1998–2002

• Managing Director, Fall Creek Management, LLC, 2007-2017

THOMAS B. MODLY . . . . . . . 15 JULY 2019–30 JULY 2019

(Performing the Duties Of)

RICHARD V. SPENCER . . . . . 31 JULY 2019–24 NOVEMBER 2019

THOMAS B. MODLY (Acting) 24 NOVEMBER 2019–7 APRIL 2020

JAMES McPHERSON (Acting) 8 APRIL 2020–PRESENT

C. Air Force

W. STUART SYMINGTON . . . 18 SEPTEMBER 1947–24 APRIL 1950

• Served in U.S. Army, 1918

• Surplus property administrator, 1945–1946

• Assistant Secretary of War for Air, 1946–1947

THOMAS K. FINLETTER . . . 24 APRIL 1950–20 JANUARY 1953

• Served in U.S. Army, 1917–1919

• Special Assistant to the Secretary of State, 1941–1944
28 DoD Key Officials

Secretaries of the Military Departments

• Consultant to the U.S. delegation at the United Nations Conference in 1945 

• Chairman of the President’s Air Policy Commission, 1947–1948

• U.S. Ambassador to NATO, 1961–1965

HAROLD E. TALBOTT . . . . . 4 FEBRUARY 1953–13 AUGUST 1955

• Served in U.S. Army, 1918

• Aviation industry executive, 1911–1942 

DONALD A. QUARLES . . . . . 15 AUGUST 1955–30 APRIL 1957

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 1 May 1957–8 May 1959 (see profile in part III, 

Deputy Secretaries of Defense)

JAMES H. DOUGLAS JR. . . 1 MAY 1957–11 DECEMBER 1959

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 11 December 1959–24 January 1961 (see profile in 

part III, Deputy Secretaries of Defense)

DUDLEY C. SHARP . . . . . . . . 11 DECEMBER 1959–20 JANUARY 1961

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1942–1945

• Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, 1955–1959

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 3 August 1959–10 December 1959

EUGENE M. ZUCKERT . . . . . 24 JANUARY 1961–30 SEPTEMBER 1965

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1944–1946

• Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of War for Air, 1946–1947

• Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, 1947–1952

• Member of the Atomic Energy Commission, 1952–1954

HAROLD BROWN . . . . . . . . . 1 OCTOBER 1965–15 FEBRUARY 1969

• Secretary of Defense, 21 January 1977–20 January 1981 (see profile in part II, 

Secretaries of Defense) 

ROBERT C. SEAMANS JR. . . 15 FEBRUARY 1969–14 MAY 1973

• Professor and engineer, MIT, 1941–1955, and RCA, 1955–1958

• Associate and deputy administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration, 1969

JOHN L. McLUCAS . . . . . . . . 19 JULY 1973–12 NOVEMBER 1975

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1943–1946

• Deputy Director of Defense Research and Engineering, 1962–1964

• Assistant Secretary General for Scientific Affairs for NATO, 1964–1966

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 1969–1973

THOMAS C. REED . . . . . . . . . 2 JANUARY 1976–6 APRIL 1977

• Served in U.S. Air Force, 1956–1959 

• Director of telecommunications and command and control systems in Office of 

the Secretary of Defense, 1974–1975 

JOHN C. STETSON . . . . . . . . . 6 APRIL 1977–18 MAY 1979

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1945–1946

• Engineer and publisher

HANS M. MARK . . . . . . . . . . . 26 JULY 1979–9 FEBRUARY 1981

• Physicist at MIT, the Radiation Laboratory at Livermore, the University of 

California, and Stanford University

• Director, Ames Research Center, NASA, 1969–1977

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 1977–1979 
DoD Key Officials 29

• Deputy Administrator of NASA, 1981–1984 

• Director, Defense Research and Engineering, 1998– 2001

VERNE ORR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 FEBRUARY 1981–30 NOVEMBER 1985

• Director of the California Department of Finance, 1970–1975

• Professor, University of California, 1975–1980

RUSSELL A. ROURKE . . . . . . 8 DECEMBER 1985–7 APRIL 1986

• Administrative assistant on Capitol Hill, 1960–1974, 1977–1981

• Deputy to the Presidential Counselor, 1974–1976

• Special Assistant to the President (Legislative Affairs), 1976–1977

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs), 1981–1985

EDWARD C. ALDRIDGE JR. 8 APRIL 1986–8 JUNE 1986

(Acting)

EDWARD C. ALDRIDGE JR. 9 JUNE 1986–15 DECEMBER 1988

• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategic Programs, 1974–1976

• Director, Planning and Evaluation, 1976–1977

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 1981–1986

DONALD B. RICE . . . . . . . . . . 22 MAY 1989–20 JANUARY 1993

• Served in U.S. Army, 1965–1967

• Assistant Director, Office of Management and Budget, 1970–1972

• President and chief executive officer, RAND Corporation, 1972–1989

• Member, Defense Science Board, 1977–1983

MICHAEL B. DONLEY . . . . . JANUARY 1993–JULY 1993

(Acting)

SHEILA E. WIDNALL . . . . . . . 6 AUGUST 1993–31 OCTOBER 1997

• Professor, MIT, 1970–1981, and associate provost, 1992

F. WHITTEN PETERS . . . . . . . 1 NOVEMBER 1997–1 AUGUST 1999

(Acting)

F. WHITTEN PETERS . . . . . . 2 AUGUST 1999–20 JANUARY 2001

• Served in the U.S. Navy, 1969–1972

• Principal Deputy General Counsel, OSD, 1995–1997

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 1997–1999

JAMES G. ROCHE . . . . . . . . . 1 JUNE 2001–20 JANUARY 2005

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1960–1983

• Northrop Grumman Corporation, 1984–2001

PETER B. TEETS (Acting) . . . 20 JANUARY 2005–25 MARCH 2005 

• Director, National Reconnaissance Office, 2001–2005

MICHAEL MONTELONGO (Acting) 25 MARCH 2005–28 MARCH 2005

• Served in U.S. Army, 1977–1996

• Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management and Comptroller), 

2001–2005

MICHAEL L. DOMINGUEZ (Acting) 28 MARCH 2005–29 JULY 2005

• Served in U.S. Army, 1975–1980

• Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), 2001–2006
30 DoD Key Officials

Joint Chiefs of Staff

PRESTON M. GEREN (Acting) 29 JULY 2005–4 NOVEMBER 2005

• Secretary of the Army, 16 July 2007–21 September 2009 (see profile in part IV.A, 

Secretaries of the Military Departments, Army)

MICHAEL W. WYNNE . . . . . . 4 NOVEMBER 2005–5 JUNE 2008

• Served in U.S. Air Force, 1966–1973 

• Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and 

Logistics), 2001–2003 

• Acting Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics), 

2003–2005

MICHAEL B. DONLEY . . . . . 9 JUNE 2008–1 OCTOBER 2008

(Acting)

MICHAEL B. DONLEY . . . . . 2 OCTOBER 2008–21 JUNE 2013

• Staff member, Senate Armed Services Committee, 1981–1984

• National Security Council, 1984–1989

• Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management and Comptroller), 

1989–1993

• Acting Secretary of the Air Force, January 1993–July 1993

• Director of Administration and Management, OSD, 2005–2008

ERIC FANNING (Acting) . . . . 24 JUNE 2013–19 DECEMBER 2013

• Special Assistant, Office of the Secretary of Defense, 1993–1996

• Senior Vice President, Strategic Development at Business Executives for National 

Security, 2001–2007

• Deputy Director, Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction 

Proliferation and Terrorism, 2008–2009

• Deputy Under Secretary and Deputy Chief Management Officer, Department of 

the Navy, 2009–2013

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 18 April 2013–Present

DEBORAH LEE JAMES . . . . . 20 DECEMBER 2013–20 JANUARY 2017

• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, 1993–1998

• Senior Vice President, C4IT Business Unit General Manager, 2004–2010

• Executive Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs, SAIC, 

2010–2013

LISA DISBROW (Acting) . . . . 20 JANUARY 2017–16 MAY 2017

HEATHER A. WILSON . . . . . . 16 May 2017–31 May 2019

• Office of Defense Plans, U.S. Mission to NATO, 1987–1989

• Director, Defense Policy and Arms Control, NSC, 1989–1991

• Member of Congress, First District of New Mexico, 1998–2009

• President, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, 2013–2017

MATTHEW P. DONOVAN . . . 1 JUNE 2019–2 NOVEMBER 2019

(Acting) • Professional Staff Member, Senate Armed Services Committee, 2015–2017

• Majority Policy Director, Senate Armed Services Committee, 2017

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 2017–2019

• Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel & Readiness), 26 March 2020–

BARBARA M. BARRETT . . . . 2 NOVEMBER 2019–PRESENT

• Senior Adviser, U.S. Mission to the United Nations, 2006

• U.S. Ambassador to Finland, 2008–2009

• Chairman of the Board, the Aerospace Corporation, 2013–2018
DoD Key Officials 31

Joint Chiefs of Staff
32 DoD Key Officials

Joint Chiefs of Staff

VI. Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), in existence since 1942, gained statutory sanction in the National Security 

Act of 1947. Under this law the JCS initially consisted of the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army; the Chief of Naval 

Operations; the Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force; and the Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief, if there should 

be such a position. The act also established a Joint Staff under the JCS, limiting it to 100 officers, to be headed 

by a director appointed by the Joint Chiefs.

The 1949 amendments to the National Security Act of 1947 established the position of Chairman of the Joint 

Chiefs of Staff, to be appointed from the regular officers of the Armed Services for a term of 2 years with 

eligibility for a second 2-year term. The Chairman presided over the meetings of the JCS but did not have a vote. 

Moreover, he was not authorized to exercise military command over the JCS or any of the military services. The 

amendments also increased the size of the Joint Staff to 210 officers.

In 1952, PL 82-416 authorized the Commandant of the Marine Corps to meet with the JCS as a coequal 

whenever any matter of concern to the Marine Corps was under consideration. Subsequently, PL 95-485 (20 

October 1978) made the Commandant a permanent and fully participating member of the JCS.

Reorganization Plan No. 6 of 1953 made the selection and tenure of members of the Joint Staff subject to the 

approval of the Chairman and gave him management control of the Joint Staff. The Department of Defense 

Reorganization Act of 1958 increased the Joint Staff to 400 officers and limited their tours of duty to 3 years 

except in time of war. The act specified that the Joint Staff “shall not operate or be organized as an overall 

Armed Forces General Staff and shall have no executive authority.” The 1958 act also gave the Chairman a vote 

in JCS meetings.

Congress in PL 90-22 (5 June 1967) set the terms of the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps 

at 4 years, with provision for possible reappointment for 4 years in time of war or emergency.

The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 prescribed the most important 

changes in the JCS organization since 1947. It increased the responsibilities of the Chairman, naming him 

the principal military adviser to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense 

and prescribing a 2-year term with possibility of two additional terms (other than during wartime, when there 

would be no limitation). The Chairman’s responsibilities included assisting the President in providing strategic 

direction of the Armed Forces, preparing strategic plans and joint logistic and mobility plans, and advising the 

Secretary of Defense on requirements, programs, and budgets, particularly a budget proposal for activities of 

each unified and specified combatant command.

The act created the position of Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to rank after the Chairman and ahead 

of all other officers of the Armed Forces and to come from a service other than that of the Chairman. The Vice 

Chairman could participate in meetings of the JCS, although he was not a member. In the absence or disability 

of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman would replace him. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 

1993, PL 102-484 (23 October 1992) made the Vice Chairman a full member of the JCS. The National Defense 

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, P.L. 112-81 (31 December 2011) made the Chief of the National Guard 

Bureau a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

A. Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

General Omar N. Bradley, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 August 1949–15 August 1953

Admiral Arthur W. Radford, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 August 1953–15 August 1957

General Nathan F. Twining, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 August 1957–30 September 1960

General Lyman L. Lemnitzer, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1960–30 September 1962
DoD Key Officials 33

Joint Chiefs of Staff

General Maxwell D. Taylor, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1962–1 July 1964

General Earle G. Wheeler, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 July 1964–2 July 1970

Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 July 1970–1 July 1974

General George S. Brown, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 July 1974–20 June 1978

General David C. Jones, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 June 1978–18 June 1982

General John W. Vessey Jr., USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 June 1982–30 September 1985

Admiral William J. Crowe Jr., USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1985–30 September 1989

General Colin L. Powell, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1989–30 September 1993

Admiral David E. Jeremiah, USN (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1993–24 October 1993

General John M.D. Shalikashvili, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 October 1993–30 September 1997

General Henry H. Shelton, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1997–30 September 2001

General Richard B. Myers, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 2001–30 September 2005

General Peter Pace, USMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 2005–30 September 2007

Admiral Michael G. Mullen, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 2007–30 September 2011

General Martin E. Dempsey, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 2011–25 September 2015

General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., USMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 September 2015–30 September 2019

General Mark A. Milley, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 September 2019–Present

B. Vice Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

General Robert T. Herres, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 February 1987–28 February 1990

Admiral David E. Jeremiah, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 March 1990–28 February 1994

Admiral William A. Owens, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 March 1994–29 February 1996

General Joseph W. Ralston, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 March 1996–1 March 2000

General Richard B. Myers, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 March 2000–1 October 2001

General Peter Pace, USMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 October 2001–12 August 2005

Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 August 2005– 27 July 2007

General James E. Cartwright, USMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 September 2007–3 August 2011

Admiral James A. Winnefeld Jr., USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 August 2011–31 July 2015

General Paul J. Selva, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 July 2015–31 July 2019

Gen. John E. Hyten, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 November 2019–Present

C. Chiefs of Staff of the Army

General Dwight D. Eisenhower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 November 1945–6 February 1948

General Omar N. Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 February 1948–15 August 1949

General J. Lawton Collins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 August 1949–14 August 1953

General Matthew B. Ridgway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 August 1953–29 June 1955

General Maxwell D. Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 June 1955–30 June 1959

General Lyman L. Lemnitzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1959–30 September 1960
34 DoD Key Officials

Joint Chiefs of Staff

General George H. Decker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1960–30 September 1962

General Earle G. Wheeler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1962–2 July 1964

General Harold K. Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 July 1964–2 July 1968

General William C. Westmoreland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 July 1968–30 June 1972

General Bruce Palmer Jr. (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1972–11 October 1972

General Creighton W. Abrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 October 1972–4 September 1974

General Fred C. Weyand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 October 1974–30 September 1976

General Bernard W. Rogers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1976–21 June 1979

General Edward C. Meyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 June 1979–21 June 1983

General John A. Wickham Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 June 1983–22 June 1987

General Carl E. Vuono . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 June 1987–21 June 1991

General Gordon R. Sullivan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 June 1991–19 June 1995

General Dennis J. Reimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 June 1995–20 June 1999

General Eric K. Shinseki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 June 1999–11 June 2003

General Peter J. Schoomaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 August 2003–10 April 2007

General George W. Casey Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 April 2007–6 September 2011

General Raymond T. Odierno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 September 2011–14 August 2015

General Mark A. Milley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 August 2015–9 August 2019

General James C. McConville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 August 2019–Present 

D. Chiefs of Naval Operations

Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 December 1945–15 December 1947

Admiral Louis Denfeld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 December 1947–2 November 1949

Admiral Forrest P. Sherman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 November 1949–22 July 1951

Admiral William M. Fechteler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 August 1951–16 August 1953

Admiral Robert B. Carney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 August 1953–17 August 1955

Admiral Arleigh A. Burke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 August 1955–1 August 1961

Admiral George W. Anderson Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 August 1961–1 August 1963

Admiral David L. McDonald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 August 1963–1 August 1967

Admiral Thomas H. Moorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 August 1967–1 July 1970

Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 July 1970–1 July 1974

Admiral James L. Holloway III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 July 1974–1 July 1978

Admiral Thomas B. Hayward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 July 1978–30 June 1982

Admiral James D. Watkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1982–30 June 1986

Admiral Carlisle A.H. Trost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1986–29 June 1990

Admiral Frank B. Kelso II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1990–23 April 1994

Admiral Jeremy M. Boorda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 April 1994–16 May 1996

Admiral Jay L. Johnson (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 May 1996–4 August 1996

Admiral Jay L. Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 August 1996–21 July 2000
DoD Key Officials 35

Admiral Vernon E. Clark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 July 2000–22 July 2005

Admiral Michael G. Mullen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 July 2005–29 September 2007

Admiral Gary Roughead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 September 2007–23 September 2011

Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 September 2011–18 September 2015

Admiral John M. Richardson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 September 2015–22 August 2019

Admiral Michael M. Gilday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 August 2019–Present

E. Chiefs of Staff of the Air Force

General Carl Spaatz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 September 1947–29 April 1948

General Hoyt S. Vandenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 April 1948–29 June 1953

General Nathan F. Twining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 June 1953–30 June 1957

General Thomas D. White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1957–30 June 1961

General Curtis E. LeMay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 June 1961–31 January 1965

General John P. McConnell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 February 1965–31 July 1969

General John D. Ryan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 August 1969–31 July 1973

General George S. Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 August 1973–30 June 1974

General David C. Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1974–20 June 1978

General Lew Allen Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1978–30 June 1982

General Charles A. Gabriel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1982–30 June 1986

General Larry D. Welch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1986–30 June 1990

General Michael J. Dugan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1990–17 September 1990

General John M. Loh (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 September 1990–27 October 1990

General Merrill A. McPeak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 October 1990–25 October 1994

General Ronald R. Fogleman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 October 1994–2 October 1997

General Michael E. Ryan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 October 1997–6 September 2001

General John J. Jumper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 September 2001–2 September 2005

General T. Michael Moseley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 September 2005–1 August 2008

General Norton A. Schwartz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 August 2008–10 August 2012

General Mark A. Welsh III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 August 2012–24 June 2016

General David Goldfein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 2016- Present

F. Commandants of the Marine Corps

General Alexander A. Vandegrift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 1944–31 December 1947

General Clifton B. Cates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 1948–31 December 1951

General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 1952–31 December 1955

General Randolph McCall Pate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 1956–31 December 1959

General David M. Shoup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 1960–31 December 1963

General Wallace M. Greene Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 1964–31 December 1967
36 DoD Key Officials

Under Secretaries of Defense

General Leonard F. Chapman Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 1968–31 December 1971

General Robert E. Cushman Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 1972–30 June 1975

General Louis H. Wilson** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1975–30 June 1979

General Robert H. Barrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1979–30 June 1983

General Paul X. Kelley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1983–30 June 1987

General Alfred M. Gray Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1987–1 July 1991

General Carl E. Mundy Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1991–30 June 1995

General C.C. Krulak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1995–30 June 1999

General James L. Jones Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1999–13 January 2003

General Michael W. Hagee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 January 2003–13 November 2006

General James T. Conway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 November 2006–22 October 2010

General James F. Amos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 October 2010–16 October 2014

General Joseph F. Dunford Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 October 2010- 24 September 2015

General Robert Neller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 September 2015-11 July 2019

General David Berger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 July 2019–Present

*First Commandant to sit with the Joint Chiefs of Staff (beginning in 1952) on matters of concern to the Marine Corps.

**First Commandant to be a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as per PL 95-485 (20 October 1978).

G. Chiefs of the National Guard Bureau

Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 April 2003–17 November 2008

General Craig R. McKinley, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 January 2012–6 September 2012

General Frank J. Grass, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 September 2012–3 August 2016

General Joseph L. Lengyel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 August 2016-Present

The Chief of the National Guard Bureau became a member of the Joint Chiefs on Dec. 31 when the 2012 

National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law. The National Guard Bureau became a joint activity of 

DoD on 28 January 2008 when P.L. 110-181 was signed into law.

H. Directors of the Joint Staff

While not a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Director of the Joint Staff (DJS) was established by the 

1947 National Security Act and was to be appointed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to perform such duties as 

directed by the Joint Chiefs. With the passage of the 1949 National Security Act Amendments and the creation 

of the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chairman, after consultation with the other members 

of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and with the approval of the Secretary of Defense, appoints the DJS. The Director 

assists the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in fulfilling his responsibilities as the principal military adviser 

to the President and Secretary of Defense by developing and providing strategic direction, policy guidance 

and planning focus to the Joint Staff and by fostering clear communication among the President, Secretary of 

Defense, unified commands, and services.

Maj. Gen. Alfred M. Gruenther, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 September 1947–19 September 1949

Vice Adm. Arthur C. Davis, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 September 1949–1 November 1951

Lt. Gen. Charles P. Cabell, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 November 1951–23 April 1953
DoD Key Officials 37

Under Secretaries of Defense

Lt. Gen. Frank F. Everest, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 April 1953–18 March 1954

Lt. Gen. Lemuel Mathewson, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 March 1954–14 March 1956

Vice Adm. Bernard L. Austin, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 March 1956–31 March 1958

Lt. Gen. Oliver S. Picher, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 April 1958–31 March 1960

Lt. Gen. Earle G. Wheeler, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 April 1960–24 February 1962

Vice Adm. Herbert D. Riley, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 February 1962–23 February 1964

Lt. Gen. David A. Burchinal, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 February 1964–31 July 1966

Lt. Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 August 1966–31 March 1967

Lt. Gen. Berton E. Spivy Jr., USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 April 1967–31 July 1968

Vice Adm. Nels C. Johnson, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 August 1968–19 July 1970

Lt. Gen. John W. Vogt, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 July 1970–7 April 1972

Rear Adm. Mason B. Freeman, USN (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 April 1972–11 June 1972

Lt. Gen. George M. Seignious II, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 June 1972–31 May 1974

Vice Adm. Harry D. Train II, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 June 1974–30 June 1976

Lt. Gen. Ray B. Sitton, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1976–30 June 1977

Vice Adm. Patrick J. Hannifin, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1977–20 June 1978

Maj. Gen. John A. Wickham Jr., USA (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1978–21August 1978

Lt. Gen. John A. Wickham Jr., USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 August 1978–22 June 1979

Vice Adm. Carl Thor Hanson, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 June 1979–30 June 1981

Lt. Gen. James E. Dalton, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1981–30 June 1983

Lt. Gen. Jack N. Merritt, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1983–30 June 1985

Vice Adm. Powell F. Carter Jr., USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1985–14 August 1987

Lt. Gen. Robert W. RisCassi, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 August 1987–30 November 1988

Lt. Gen. Hansford T. Johnson, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 December 1988–20 September 1989

Maj. Gen. Gene A. Deegan, USMC (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 September 1989–26 September 1989

Lt. Gen. Michael P.C. Carns, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 September 1989–16 May 1991

Lt. Gen. Henry Viccellio Jr., USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 May 1991–1 December 1992

Vice Adm. Richard C. Macke, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 December 1992–18 July 1994

Maj. Gen. Charles T. Robertson Jr., USAF (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 July 1994–24 July 1994 

Lt. Gen. Walter Kross, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 July 1994–12 July 1996

Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Rippe, USA (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 July 1996–13 September 1996

Vice Adm. Dennis C. Blair, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 September 1996–12 December 1998

Vice Adm. Vernon E. Clark, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 December 1998–26 July 1999

Lt. Gen. Carlton W. Fulford, USMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 July 1999–14 July 2000

Lt. Gen. John P. Abizaid, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 October 2001–23 January 2003

Vice Adm. Timothy J. Keating, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 October 2003–October 2004

Lt. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 2004–August 2005

Lt. Gen. Walter Sharp, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 2005–May 2008

Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 2008–10 June 2009

Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 2009–30 June 2010

Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 2010–August 2012

Lt. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 2012–July 2013

Lt. Gen David L. Goldfein, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 2013–August 2015
38 DoD Key Officials

Under Secretaries of Defense

Lt. Gen. William C. Mayville Jr., USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 2015–July 2017

Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, USMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 2017–28 February 2019

Vice Adm. Michael M. Gilday, USN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 March 2019–22 August 2019

Lt. Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 September 2019–Present 

VII. Under Secretaries of Defense

PL 95-0140, 21 October 1977, established the position of Under Secretary of Defense at a level immediately 

below the Deputy Secretary of Defense. The two initial appointees to this rank were the Under Secretary for 

Policy and the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering, the latter replacing the Director of Defense 

Research and Engineering. The Military Reform Act of 1986, PL 99-348, 1 July 1986, established the position 

of Under Secretary for Acquisition as the successor to the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering, with 

enhanced rank (from Executive Level III to Executive Level II) and functions. A few months later, the National 

Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997, PL 99-661, 14 November 1986, spelled out in more detail the 

duties of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition). See the Under Secretary listings below for subsequent 

changes in the title of this position.

The National Defense Authorization Act for 1994, PL 103-160, 30 November 1993, established the position of Under 

Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. The National Defense Authorization Act for 1995, PL 103-337, 

raised the Comptroller to Under Secretary/Comptroller. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003, 

PL 107-314, 2 December 2002, established the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, as amended by the National Defense 

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-91, reestablished an Under Secretary of Defense for Research 

and Engineering and an Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. The Deputy Secretary 

of Defense’s 13 July 2018 memorandum finalized an organizational structure for the Department of Defense’s 

acquisition organization between the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Under 

Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

The six current Under Secretary positions are listed by order of precedence.

A. Research and Engineering

PL 95-140, 21 October 1977, created the position of Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering) 

to replace the Director of Research and Engineering (see part IX.B.7, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense 

Positions, Research and Engineering, for predecessors of this position). It was succeeded by the Under 

Secretary of Defense (Acquisition) in 1986.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, as amended by the National Defense 

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-81, reestablished the position of Under Secretary of Defense 

for Research and Engineering. As codified at section 133a of United States Code Title 10 and finalized in 

the Deputy Secretary of Defense’s 13 July 2018 memorandum, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research 

and Engineering serves as the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of 

Defense on all research and engineering, and as the chief technical officer of the Department with the mission of 

advancing technology and innovation.

Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering)

WILLIAM J. PERRY . . . . . . . . . 21 OCTOBER 1977–20 JANUARY 1981
DoD Key Officials 39

Under Secretaries of Defense

• Director, Defense Research and Engineering, 11 April 1977–21 October 1977, when 

position was raised to the Under Secretary level

• Secretary of Defense, 3 February 1994–24 January 1997 (see profile in part II, 

Secretaries of Defense)

WALTER B. LABERGE (Acting) 21 JANUARY 1981–10 MARCH 1981

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1943–1947

• Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Research and Development), 1973–1975

• Under Secretary of the Army, 1977–1980

• Principal Deputy to the Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering), 

1980–1984

JAMES P. WADE JR. (Acting) . . 11 MARCH 1981–6 MAY 1981 

• Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Atomic Energy and chairman of Military 

Liaison Committee to Department of Energy, 1978–1981

RICHARD D. DELAUER . . . . . 6 MAY 1981–30 NOVEMBER 1984

• U.S. Navy, 1942–1966

• Laboratory director of Space Tech Labs, 1958–1960; Titan program, 1960–1966

• Official with TRW, Inc., 1968–1981 

JAMES P. WADE JR. (Acting) . 1 DECEMBER 1984–5 JULY 1985

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Development and Support), August 1984–July 

1985

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Acquisitions and Logistics), 1985–1986

DONALD A. HICKS . . . . . . . . . 2 AUGUST 1985–10 OCTOBER 1986

• Chief of applied physics for Boeing Company

• Research physicist with Lawrence Radiation Laboratories, Livermore, California 

Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering)

MICHAEL D. GRIFFIN . . . . . . . 20 FEBRUARY 2018–PRESENT

• Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2005–2009

• President, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2012–2014

• Chairman, CEO, Shafer Corporation, 2012–2018

B. Acquisition and Sustainment

This position was established by PL 99-348 in 1986 as the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition) and 

by DoD Directive 5134.1, 10 February 1987. The title changed to Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition 

and Technology) in NDAA Fiscal Year (FY) 1994 (PL 103-160), 30 November 1993. The National Defense 

Authorization Act for FY 2000 (PL 106-65), 5 October 1999, redesignated the position as the Under Secretary of 

Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics). Appointee served as the principal assistant to the Secretary of 

Defense for research and development, production, procurement, logistics, and military construction.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, as amended by the National Defense 

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-81, created the position of Under Secretary of Defense for 

Acquisition and Sustainment, and disestablished the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, 

Technology, and Logistics. As codified at section 133b of United States Code Title 10 and finalized in the 

Deputy Secretary of Defense’s 13 July 2018 memorandum, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and 

Sustainment serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on acquisition and sustainment in the Department.

Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition)
40 DoD Key Officials

Under Secretaries of Defense

RICHARD P. GODWIN . . . . . . . 30 SEPTEMBER 1986–30 SEPTEMBER 1987

• Service with the Atomic Energy Commission and with Bechtel, Inc., 1961–1986 

• Member of the Defense Science Board 

ROBERT B. COSTELLO . . . . . 18 DECEMBER 1987–12 MAY 1989

• Served in U.S. Navy, World War II

• General Motors Corporation, 1960–1986

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Production and Logistics), 1987 

JOHN A. BETTI . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 AUGUST 1989–31 DECEMBER 1990

• With Chrysler Corporation, 1952–1962, and subsequently Ford Motor Company 

DONALD J. YOCKEY . . . . . . . . 20 JUNE 1991–20 JANUARY 1993

• Served in U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, 1944–1966

• Rockwell International Corporation, 1966–1986

• Principal Deputy Under Secretary (Acquisition), March–December 1990

• Acting Under Secretary (Acquisition), 1 January 1991–20 June 1991

Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology)

JOHN M. DEUTCH . . . . . . . . . 2 APRIL 1993–11 MARCH 1994

• Systems analyst, OSD, 1961–1965

• Under Secretary, Department of Energy, 1979–1980

• Tenure spans designation of position as Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition) 

and Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology)

PAUL G. KAMINSKI . . . . . . . . . 3 OCTOBER 1994–16 MAY 1997

• Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and 

Engineering, 1977–1981

Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics)

JACQUES S. GANSLER . . . . . 10 NOVEMBER 1997–5 JANUARY 2001

• Engineer and economist

• Singer Corporation, ITT, Raytheon Corporation, and TASC, Inc.

• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Materiel Acquisition), and Assistant 

Director, Defense Research and Engineering (Electronics)

EDWARD C. ALDRIDGE JR. . 10 MAY 2001–23 MAY 2003

• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategic Programs, 1974–1976

• Director, Planning and Evaluation, 1976–1977

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 1981–1986

• Secretary of the Air Force, 1986–1988

MICHAEL W. WYNNE (Acting) 23 MAY 2003–JUNE 2005 

• Served in U.S. Air Force

• Official with General Dynamics, 1976–1999

• Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology), 

2001–2005 

KENNETH J. KRIEG . . . . . . . . . 6 JUNE 2005–20 JULY 2007

• Special Assistant to Secretary of Defense, 2001–2003

• Director, Program Analysis and Evaluation, 2003–2005

JOHN J. YOUNG JR. (Acting) . . 21 JULY 2007–20 NOVEMBER 2007
DoD Key Officials 41

Under Secretaries of Defense

JOHN J. YOUNG JR. . . . . . . . . 21 NOVEMBER 2007–20 JANUARY 2009

• Sandia National Laboratory

• Professional staffer, Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee

• Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, 

2001–2005 

• Director of Defense Research and Engineering, 2005–2007

ASHTON B. CARTER . . . . . . . 27 APRIL 2009–6 OCTOBER 2011

• (see profile in part II, Secretaries of Defense)

FRANK KENDALL III (Acting) 6 OCTOBER 2011–24 MAY 2012

FRANK KENDALL III . . . . . . 24 MAY 2012–20 JANUARY 2017

• Served in U.S. Army

• Vice president of Engineering for Raytheon Company

• Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Strategic Defense Systems)

• Member, Army Science Board and the Defense Intelligence Agency Science and 

Technology Advisory Board

• Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisitions, Technology, and 

Logistics), 2010–2012

Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Sustainment)

ELLEN M. LORD . . . . . . . . . . . 1 AUGUST 2017–1 FEBRUARY 2018

• President and Chief Executive Officer, Textron Systems Corporation, 2012–2017

C. Policy 

This position was established in PL 95-140 (21 October 1977), and its duties were enumerated in DoD Directive 

5111.1 (27 October 1978). The Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) is the principal adviser to the Secretary of 

Defense for all matters pertaining to the formulation of national security and defense policy and the integration 

and oversight of DoD policy and plans to achieve national security objectives.

STANLEY R. RESOR . . . . . . . . 14 AUGUST 1978–1 APRIL 1979

• Secretary of the Army, 5 July 1965–30 June 1971 (see profile in part IV.A, 

Secretaries of the Military Departments, Army)

ROBERT W. KOMER . . . . . . . . 24 OCTOBER 1979–20 JANUARY 1981

• Served in U.S. Army, 1943–1946

• Central Intelligence Agency, 1947–1960

• National Security Council staff, 1961–1965

• Ambassador to Turkey, 1968–1969

FRED C. IKLÉ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 APRIL 1981–19 FEBRUARY 1988

• Professor, MIT, 1964–1967

• Head, Social Science Department, RAND Corporation, 1967–1973

• Director, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, 1973–1977 

PAUL D. WOLFOWITZ . . . . . . 15 MAY 1989–19 JANUARY 1993

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 2 March 2001–1 May 2005 (see profile in part III, 

Deputy Secretaries of Defense)

FRANK T. WISNER . . . . . . . . . . 6 JULY 1993–9 JUNE 1994

• Joined Foreign Service in 1961
42 DoD Key Officials

Under Secretaries of Defense

• Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs, 1992–1993 

WALTER B. SLOCOMBE . . . . 15 SEPTEMBER 1994–19 JANUARY 2001

• Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs) 

and director, DoD SALT task force, 1977–1979

• Deputy Under Secretary for Policy Planning, 1979–1981

• Principal Deputy Under Secretary (Policy), 1993–1994 

DOUGLAS J. FEITH . . . . . . . . . 16 JULY 2001–8 AUGUST 2005

• National Security Council staff, 1981–1982

• Special counsel to Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs), 

1982–1984

• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Negotiations Policy), 1984–1986

• Practicing attorney, 1986–2001 

ERIC S. EDELMAN . . . . . . . . . 9 FEBRUARY 2006–20 JANUARY 2009

• Career Foreign Service officer

• Ambassador to Finland, 1998–2001

• Principal Deputy Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs, 

2001–2003 

• Ambassador to Turkey, 2003–2005

MICHÈLE FLOURNOY . . . . . . 9 FEBRUARY 2009–30 JANUARY 2012

• Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategy and Threat Reduction) 

and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategy), 1993–1998

• Research professor at Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense 

University, 1998–2000

• Member of the Defense Policy Board and the Defense Science Board Task Force 

on Transformation, 1998–2001

• Senior Advisor, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2000–2006

• President and Co-Founder, Center for a New American Security, 2007–2009

JAMES N. MILLER Jr. (Acting) 1 FEBRUARY–23 MAY 2012

JAMES N. MILLER Jr. . . . . . . . 24 MAY 2012–8 JANUARY 2013

• Professional staff, House Armed Services Committee, 1988–1992

• Professor, Duke University, 1992–1997

• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Requirements, Plans, and 

Counterproliferation Policy), 1997–2000

• Senior vice president, Center for a New American Security, 2007–2009

• Principal Deputy Under Secretary (Policy), 2009–2012

CHRISTINE WORMUTH . . . . . 23 JUNE 2014–10 JUNE 2016

• Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense and Americas 

Security Affairs, 2009-2010

• Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Defense Policy and 

Strategy, 2010-2012 Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and 

Force Development, 2012-2013

BRIAN MCKEON (Acting) . . . . 11 JUNE 2016–20 JANUARY 2017

ROBERT S. KAREM (Acting) . . 20 JANUARY 2017–10 OCTOBER 2017

DAVID J. TRACHTENBERG . . 17 OCTOBER 2017–3 JANUARY 2018 

(Acting)

JOHN C. ROOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 JANUARY 2018–28 FEBRUARY 2020

• Senior Vice President, Lockhead Martin International
DoD Key Officials 43

• Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, 

2007-2009

• Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, 2006-2007

JAMES H. ANDERSON . . . . . . 29 FEBRUARY 2020-PRESENT

(Performing the Duties of)

D. Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer

This position is an upgrade of the position of Comptroller from Assistant Secretary to Under Secretary level by 

NDAA FY95 (PL 103-337, 5 October 1994). (See part IX.B.4, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions, 

Comptroller, for predecessors of this position.) According to DoD Directive 5118.03, the Under Secretary of 

Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer is the Principal Staff Assistant and advisor to the Secretary of 

Defense for budgetary and financial matters.

JOHN J. HAMRE . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 SEPTEMBER 1994–29 JULY 1997

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 29 July 1997–31 March 2000 (see profile in part 

III, Deputy Secretaries of Defense)

WILLIAM J. LYNN . . . . . . . . . . 19 NOVEMBER 1997–19 JANUARY 2001

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 12 February 2009–5 October 2011 (see profile in 

part III, Deputy Secretaries of Defense)

DOV S. ZAKHEIM . . . . . . . . . . 3 MAY 2001–15 APRIL 2004

• Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Planning and Resources), 1985–1987

• Vice president of System Planning Corporation, 1987–2001

LAWRENCE J. 

LANZILLOTTA (Acting) . . . . . . 15 APRIL 2004–27 JULY 2004

• Served in U.S. Army

• Professional staff, Senate Armed Services Committee

• Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Management Reform), 2002–2004

TINA W. JONAS . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 JULY 2004–26 SEPTEMBER 2008

• Senior Budget Examiner, Office of Management and Budget, 1991–1995

• Professional Staff, House Committee on Appropriations, 1995–2001

• Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Financial Management, 

2001– 2002

• Assistant Director and Chief Financial Officer, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 

2002–2004

ROBERT F. HALE . . . . . . . . . . . 9 FEBRUARY 2009–27 JUNE 2014

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1969–1972

• Director, National Security Division of Congressional Budget Office, 

1982–1994 Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management and 

Comptroller), 1994–2001

• Executive Director of the American Society of Military Comptrollers, 2005–2009

MICHAEL McCORD . . . . . . . . . 27 JUNE 2014–20 JANUARY 2017

• Professional Staff, Senate Committee on Armed Services, 1987-2003

• Budget Analyst, House Committee on the Budget, 2003-2004

• Professional Staff, Senate Committee on Armed Services, 2004-2009

• Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), 2009-2014
44 DoD Key Officials

Specified Officials

JOHN P. ROTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 JANUARY 2017–1 JUNE 2017

DAVID L. NORQUIST . . . . . . . . 2 JUNE 2017–30 JULY 2019

• Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), 2002-2006

• Chief Financial Officer, Homeland Security, 2006-2008

• Partner, Kearny and Company, 2008-2017

• Performing the Duties Of the Deputy Secretary of Defense, 1 January 2019–

ELAINE A. McCUSKER . . . . . . 31 JULY 2019-PRESENT

(Acting)

E. Personnel and Readiness

The National Defense Authorization Act for FY94 (PL 103-160, 30 November 1993) created the position 

of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. On 17 March 1994, DoD Directive 5124.02 

established the position to incorporate the functions of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management 

and Personnel) and authorized authority over the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs) and the 

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs). (See part IX.B.6, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense 

Positions, Manpower, for predecessors of this position.) The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and 

Readiness is the Principal Staff Assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense for Total Force management; 

National Guard and Reserve Component affairs; health affairs; readiness and training; military and civilian 

personnel requirements; language; dependents’ education; equal opportunity; morale, welfare, recreation; and 

quality-of-life matters. 

EDWIN DORN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 MARCH 1994–7 JULY 1997

• Deputy director for research at the Joint Center for Political and Economic 

Studies, 1981–1990

• Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management and Personnel), 1993–1994 

RUDY deLEON . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 AUGUST 1997–31 MARCH 2000

• Deputy Secretary of Defense, 31 March 2000–1 March 2001 (see profile in part 

III, Deputy Secretaries of Defense)

CHARLES L. CRAGIN (Acting) . 31 MARCH 2000–23 MAY 2000

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1951–1964

• Practicing attorney

• Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs

BERNARD D. ROSTKER . . . . . 23 MAY 2000–19 JANUARY 2001

• Director, Selective Service System, 1979–1981

• Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1994–1998

• Under Secretary of the Army, 1998–2000

CHARLES L. CRAGIN (Acting) . 20 JANUARY 2001–31 MAY 2001

DAVID S. C. CHU . . . . . . . . . . . 1 JUNE 2001–20 JANUARY 2009

• Served in U.S. Army, 1968–1970

• Assistant Secretary of Defense and Director for Program Analysis and Evaluation, 

1981–1993

• Director, RAND Washington Office, 1994–1998

GAIL McGINN . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 JANUARY 2009–8 FEBRUARY 2010

(Performing the Duties Of)

CLIFFORD L. STANLEY . . . . . 9 FEBRUARY 2010–26 OCTOBER 2011
DoD Key Officials 45

Specified Officials

• Served in U.S. Marine Corps, 1969– 2002

• President, Scholarship America, 2004–2009

JO ANN ROONEY (Acting) . . . . 27 OCTOBER 2011–24 MAY 2012

• Chief counsel, The Lyons Companies, 1996– 2002

• President, Spalding University, 2002–2010

• Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, 

2011–2012

ERIN C. CONATON . . . . . . . . . 24 MAY 2012—31 DECEMBER 2012

• Professional staff, House Armed Services Committee, 2001–2010

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 2010–2012

JESSICA L. WRIGHT . . . . . . . . 27 JUNE 2014–20 MARCH 2015

• Served 35 years in Pennsylvania Army National Guard, retiring as major general

• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, May 2012 – January 2013

BRAD R. CARSON (Acting)..... 2 April 2015–8 APRIL 2016

• Member of U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma, 2001–2005

• Under Secretary of the Army, March 2014–April 2015

PETER LEVINE (Acting)..... . . 11 APRIL 2016– 20 JANUARY 2017

ANTHONY KURTA . . . . . . . . . . 20 JANUARY 2017–21 NOVEMBER 2017

(Performing the Duties Of)

ROBERT L. WILKIE . . . . . . . . . 21 NOVEMBER 2017–30 MARCH 2018

• Senior Advisor, Senator Thom Tillis, 2015-2017

• Vice President, CH2M HILL Companies Ltd., 2010-2015

• Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, 2006-2009

STEPHANIE BARNA . . . . . . . . 30 MARCH 2018–25 OCTOBER 2018

(Performing the Duties Of)

JAMES STEWART . . . . . . . . . . . 25 OCTOBER 2018–28 DECEMBER 2019

(Performing the Duties Of)

MATTHEW P. DONOVAN . . . . 28 DECEMBER 2019–2 MARCH 2020

(Performing the Duties Of)

ALEXIS L. ROSS . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 MARCH 2020–26 MARCH 2020

(Performing the Duties Of)

MATTHEW P. DONOVAN . . . . 26 MARCH 2020–PRESENT

• Professional Staff Member, Senate Armed Services Committee, 2015–2017

• Majority Policy Director, Senate Armed Services Committee, 2017

• Under Secretary of the Air Force, 2017–2019

• Acting Secretary of the Air Force, 1 June 2019–2 November 2019

F. Intelligence and Security

The position was established by the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003, 

PL 107-314 (2 December 2002). The Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) was authorized to perform 

such duties and exercise such powers in the intelligence area as prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. (See 

part IX.B.3, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions, Command, Control, Communications, and 

Intelligence, for predecessors of this position.) According to DoD Directive 5143.01, the Under Secretary 
46 DoD Key Officials

Specified Officials

of Defense (Intelligence) is the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy 

Secretary of Defense regarding intelligence, counterintelligence, security, sensitive activities, and other 

intelligence-related matters.

Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence)

STEPHEN A. CAMBONE . . . . . 10 MARCH 2003–31 DECEMBER 2006

• Director, Strategic Defense Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 

1990–1993

• Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 1993–1998

• Director of Research, Institute for National Strategic Studies at National Defense 

University, 1998–2000

• Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, 2001–2002

• Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, 2003–2006

JAMES CLAPPER . . . . . . . . . . . 15 APRIL 2007–9 AUGUST 2010

• Served in U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force, 1963–1995

• Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, 1991–1995

• Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 2001–2006

MICHAEL G. VICKERS . . . . . . . 28 JANUARY 2011–17 MARCH 2011

(Acting)

MICHAEL G. VICKERS . . . . . . 17 MARCH 2011–30 APRIL 2015

• Served in U.S. Army, 1973–1986 

• Senior vice president, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, 1996–

2007

• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict and 

Interdependent Capabilities, 2007–2011

MARCEL LETTRE . . . . . . . . . . 5 February 2016–20 JANUARY 2017

• Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, 

April 2015-February 2015

• Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, October 2013 to 

May 2015

• Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, 2011–2013

TODD LOWERY . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 JANUARY 2017–1 JUNE 2017

(Performing the Duties Of)

KARI A. BINGEN (Acting) . . . . 2 JUNE 2017–21 NOVEMBER 2017

JOSEPH D. KERNAN. . . . . . . . 21 NOVEMBER 2017–20 DECEMBER 2020

• Vice President, SAP National Security Services Inc., 2013–2017

• Deputy Commander, USSOUTHCOM, 2011–2013

• Served in U.S. Navy, 1981–2013

Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence and Security)

Section 1621(a)(1) of P.L. 116-92, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY20, 20 December 2019, 

redesignated the position as the Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence & Security).

JOSEPH D. KERNAN. . . . . . . . 20 DECEMBER 2020 –Present
DoD Key Officials 47

VIII. Specified Officials*

Over time Congress has created a number of senior positions that fall in rank between the Under Secretaries of 

Defense and the Assistant Secretaries of Defense as well as a number of positions that are non-Presidentially 

Appointed Senate-Confirmed (PAS) principal staff assistants to the Secretary of Defense. For the sake of 

simplicity, these positions are listed together in this section. 

*Not comprehensive; listing order is alphabetical and does not reflect order of succession

A. Deputy Chief Management Officers of the 

Department of Defense

This position was established by NDAA FY08, PL 110-181 (28 January 2008). The Deputy Secretary of Defense 

served as the Chief Management Officer of the Department of Defense and was assisted in this capacity by 

a Deputy Chief Management Officer. The Secretary assigned such duties and authorities to the Deputy Chief 

Management Officer as were necessary for that official to assist the Chief Management Officer to effectively and 

efficiently organize the business operations of the Department of Defense. The office was established on 9 October 

2008 and was governed by DOD Directive 5105.82, 17 October 2008. Congress further stipulated in Section 904 

of NDAA FY09, PL 110-417 (14 October 2008) that the Deputy Chief Management Officer should serve as Vice 

Chairman of the Defense Business Systems Management Committee (DBSMC) and act as Chairman in the Deputy 

Secretary’s absence. Effective October 2001, the Defense Business Council is the subordinate governance board 

to the Deputy’s Management Action Group (DMAG) regarding the management of the Department’s business 

operations in accordance with DoD Directive 5105.79. The DBC is co-chaired by the DCMO of the Department 

of Defense and the DoD Chief Information Office. The Deputy Secretary merged a number of senior leadership 

bodies with the DMAG, including the DBSMC, in late 2011. The Deputy Chief Management Officer ranked in 

precedence just after the Under Secretaries and was paid at the same rate (Level III of the Executive Schedule. 

NOTE: Level III of the Executive Schedule is a separate publication).

Elizabeth A. McGrath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 June 2010–30 November 2013

Kevin Scheid (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 December 2013–23 May 2014

David Tillotson III (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 May 2014–8 November 2017

John H. Gibson II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 November 2017–1 February 2018

Lisa W. Hershman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 April 2018-1 December 2018

B. Directors of Cost Assessment and 

Program Evaluation

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Systems Analysis)

New Assistant Secretary position established on 10 September 1965.

Alain C. Enthoven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 September 1965–20 January 1969

Ivan Selin (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 January 1969–30 January 1970

Gardiner L. Tucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 January 1970–30 March 1973
48 DoD Key Officials

Deputy Under Secretaries of Defense

Position title changed to Director of Defense Program Analysis and Evaluation on 11 April 1973.

Director, Defense Program Analysis and Evaluation

Leonard Sullivan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 May 1973–11 February 1974

Position title changed to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Program Analysis and Evaluation) on 29 March 1974.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Program Analysis and 

Evaluation)

Leonard Sullivan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 February 1974–13 March 1976

Position title changed to Director for Planning and Evaluation on 18 May 1976.

Director for Planning and Evaluation

Edward C. Aldridge Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 May 1976–11 March 1977

Position designated Assistant Secretary of Defense (Program Analysis and Evaluation) on 28 April 1977.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Program Analysis and 

Evaluation)

Russell Murray II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 April 1977–20 January 1981

Position title changed to Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation in May 1981.

Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation 

David S.C. Chu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 May 1981–13 July 1988

Position designated Assistant Secretary of Defense (Program Analysis and Evaluation) on 13 July 1988 (DoD 

Directive 5141.1, 1 February 1989).

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Program Analysis and 

Evaluation)

Provides economic analyses of defense programs and examines implications of manpower resources on specific 

force structure plans. Studies security assistance programs and allied and foreign military requirements and 

capabilities of forces, materiel basing, and nuclear requirements.

David S.C. Chu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 July 1988–20 January 1993

Position designated Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation on 25 June 1993.

Directors of Program Analysis and Evaluation

William J. Lynn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 June 1993–19 November 1997

Robert R. Soule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1998–27 April 2001

Barry D. Watts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 May 2001–1 July 2002

Stephen A. Cambone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 2002–7 March 2003
DoD Key Officials 49

Kenneth J. Krieg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 July 2003–6 June 2005

Bradley M. Berkson* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 June 2005–3 April 2009

*Berkson was dual-hatted as Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation and Acting Assistant Secretary of 

Defense (Logistics and Materiel Readiness).

Directors, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation

Public Law 111-23, the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act (WSARA), signed into law 22 May 

2009, established the Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) and transferred the staff 

of the former Program Analysis and Evaluation (PA&E) to CAPE. WSARA, and further implemented by 

Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) Directive-Type Memorandum 09-027, 

Implementation of the Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 (4 December 2009).

Christine H. Fox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 September 2009–28 June 2013

Jamie Morin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 June 2014–20 January 2017

Robert Daigle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017–18 May2019

E.Y. (Yisroel) Brumer (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 May 2019–16 August 2019

John E. Whitley (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 August 2019–13 March 2020

John E. Whitley (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 March 2020–Present

C. Directors of Operational Test and Evaluation

Position established 24 September 1983 by the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1984, PL 98-94 

(24 September 1983), and by DoD Directive 5141.2, 2 April 1984. Director is the principal staff assistant 

and adviser to the Secretary of Defense on operational test and evaluation matters, ensuring effectiveness and 

suitability of U.S. weapon systems and equipment.

John E. Krings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 April 1985–30 June 1989

Robert C. Duncan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 November 1989–20 January 1993

Lee Frame (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 January 1993–30 September 1994

Philip E. Coyle III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 October 1994–19 January 2001

Thomas P. Christie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 July 2001–31 January 2005

David W. Duma (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 February 2005–26 July 2006

Charles E. McQueary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 July 2006–31 May 2009

David W. Duma (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 June 2009–22 September 2009

J. Michael Gilmore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 September 2009–20 January 2017

David Duma (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017–16 November 2017

Robert F. Behler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 November 2017–Present

D. General Counsels of the Department of Defense

Position established by title by Reorganization Plan No. 6 of 1953 and by DoD Directive 5145.01, 24 August 
50 DoD Key Officials

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

1953. Position derived from one of the original three Special Assistants to the Secretary (1947) and the Assistant 

Secretary of Defense (Legal and Legislative Affairs), 1949–1953.

General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer of DoD, advising both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of 

Defense on all legal matters and services. Develops the Department’s legislative program, establishes policy on 

specific legal problems, maintains repository for all international agreements of the Department, and serves as 

director of the Defense Legal Services Agency.

H. Struve Hensel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 August 1953–4 March 1954

Wilber M. Brucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 April 1954–20 July 1955

Mansfield D. Sprague . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 October 1955–27 February 1957

Robert Dechert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 February 1957–15 July 1959

J. Vincent Burke Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 September 1959–20 January 1961 

Cyrus R. Vance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 January 1961–30 June 1962

John T. McNaughton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 July 1962–25 June 1964

Paul C. Warnke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 October 1966–31 July 1967

Leonard Niederlehner (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 August 1967– 19 August 1970

J. Fred Buzhardt Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 August 1970–4 January 1974 

Martin R. Hoffmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 March 1974–5 August 1975

Leonard Niederlehner (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 August 1975–1 January 1976

Richard A. Wiley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 January 1976–15 January 1977

Deanne C. Siemer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 April 1977–15 October 1979 

Togo D. West Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 February 1980–20 January 1981 

William Howard Taft IV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 April 1981–2 February 1984

Chapman B. Cox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 May 1984–16 December 1985

H. Lawrence Garrett III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 February 1986–6 August 1987 

Kathleen A. Buck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 November 1987–30 December 1988

Terrence O’Donnell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 October 1989–6 March 1992 

David S. Addington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 August 1992–20 January 1993 

Jamie S. Gorelick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 May 1993–17 March 1994 

Judith A. Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 September 1994–7 November 1999

Douglas A. Dworkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 June 2000–19 January 2001

William J. Haynes II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 May 2001–10 March 2008

Jeh C. Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 February 2009–31 December 2012 

Robert Taylor (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 2013–27 October 2013 

Stephen W. Preston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 October 2013–June 2015

Jennifer M. O’Connor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 June 2016–20 January 2017

Paul Koffsky (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017-–August 2017

William S. Castle (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 2017–13 July 2018

Paul C. Ney Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 July 2018–Present
DoD Key Officials 51

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

E. Inspectors General of the Department of Defense 

The Department of Defense Authorization Act of 1983, PL 97-252, 8 September 1982, and DoD Directive 

5106.1, 14 March 1983, established the Office of the Department of Defense Inspector General. This position 

replaced the office of Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Review and Oversight, established in April 1981 

to check fraud, waste, and abuse in procurement. That position and the Defense Audit Service, created in 1976, 

were dissolved when the Office of the Inspector General began operations in May 1983. 

The Inspector General is an independent official who coordinates policies and makes recommendations to further 

economy and efficiency in administration. The Inspector General keeps the Secretary of Defense and Congress informed 

about problems relating to the administration of programs and the possibility of corrective action following investigation.

Joseph H. Sherick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 May 1983–3 June 1986

Derek Vander Schaaf (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 June 1986–13 November 1987

June Gibbs Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 November 1987–20 October 1989

Derek Vander Schaaf (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 October 1989–28 November 1989

Susan J. Crawford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 November 1989–19 November 1991

Derek Vander Schaaf (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 November 1991–28 February 1995

Eleanor J. Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 March 1995–30 April 1999

Donald Mancuso (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 May 1999–26 January 2000

Joseph E. Schmitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 April 2002–9 September 2005

Claude M. Kicklighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 April 2007–2 July 2008

Gordon S. Heddell (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 July 2008–10 July 2009

Gordon S. Heddell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 July 2009–24 December 2011

Lynne M. Halbrooks (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 December 2011–21 June 2012

Jon T. Rymer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 September 2013–8 January 2016

Glenn A. Fine (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 January 2016–October 2019

Glenn A. Fine (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 2019–7 April 2020

Sean W. O’Donnell (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 April 2020– Present
52 DoD Key Officials

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

IX. Deputy Under Secretaries of Defense

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-91, renamed Principal Deputy Under 

Secretary of Defense to Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.

A. Research and Engineering

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, as amended by the National Defense 

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-91, reestablished the position of Under Secretary of Defense for 

Research and Engineering. The NDAA for FY18 renamed the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense to 

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense and designated a Deputy Under Secretary for Research and Engineering.

Lisa Porter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 October 2018–Present

B. Acquisition and Sustainment

Established as a statutory position, originally named Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition) by 

NDAA FY87, PL 99-661 (14 November 1986). Later, reflecting the change in the title of the Under Secretary 

of Defense (Acquisition), this official became the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and 

Technology). The position was designated Principal Deputy Under Secretary (Acquisition, Technology, and 

Logistics) by DoD Directive 5134.14 (29 December 2010).

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, as amended by the National Defense 

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, PL 115-81, created the position of Under Secretary of Defense for 

Acquisition and Sustainment and disestablished the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, 

Technology, and Logistics. The NDAA for FY18 replaced the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense 

for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics with a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and 

Sustainment.

Milton Lohr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 October 1988–12 May 1989

Donald J. Yockey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 March 1990–3 December 1990

Donald C. Fraser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 December 1991–13 January 1993

Noel Longuemare Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 November 1993–21 November 1997

David Oliver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 June 1998–14 July 2001

Michael W. Wynne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 July 2001–3 November 2005

James I. Finley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 2006–20 January 2009

Frank Kendall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 March 2010–24 May 2012

Alan F. Estevez (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 June 2012–29 October 2013

Alan F. Estevez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 November 2013–20 January 2017

Alan R. Shaffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 January 2019–Present

C. Policy
DoD Key Officials 53

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Established by the National Defense Authorization Act for 1992–1993, PL 102-190 (5 December 1991). 

Designated Principal Deputy Under Secretary by DoD Directive 5111.03 (8 December 1999).

I. Lewis Libby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 August 1992–10 January 1993

Walter B. Slocombe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 June 1993–14 September 1994

Jan M. Lodal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 October 1994–30 September 1998

James M. Bodner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1998–19 January 2001

Stephen A. Cambone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 July 2001–1 July 2002

Christopher Ryan Henry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 February 2003–August 2008

James N. Miller Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 April 2009–24 May 2012

Kathleen H. Hicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 May 2012–2 July 2013

Brian McKeon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 July 2014–20 January 2017

Theresa Whelan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 January 2017–17 October 2017

David J. Trachtenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 October 2017–22 July 2019

James H. Anderson (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 July 2019–Present

D. Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer

Position established by law as one of five Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense positions in NDAA

FY10, PL 11-84 (28 October 2009).

Michael J. McCord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 June 2010–26 June 2014

John P. Roth (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 June 2014–22 December 2015

John C. Conger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 December 2015–20 January 2017

Vacant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017–2 August 2017

Elaine A. McCusker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 August 2017–Present

E. Personnel and Readiness

Position established by NDAA FY02, PL 107-107 (28 December 2001). DoD Directive 5124.08, 16 July 2003, 

added the word Principal to this official title.

Charles S. Abell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 November 2002–2006

Michael L. Dominguez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 July 2006–20 January 2009

William J. Carr (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2009–2010

Jo Ann Rooney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 June 2011–24 May 2012

Laura Junor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 July 2014–May 2015

William G. Bushman (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 June 2019–Present

F. Intelligence
54 DoD Key Officials

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence)

Position established by law as one of five Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense positions in NDAA

FY10, PL 11-84 (28 October 2009). 

Thomas A. Ferguson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2007–September 2013

Marcel Lettre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 November 2013–5 February 2016

Todd Lowery (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 February 2016–2 June 2017

Kari A. Bingen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 June 2017–20 December 2019

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence and Security)

Section 1621(b)(1) of P.L. 116-92, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY20, 20 December 2019, 

redesigned the position as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence & Security).

Kari A. Bingen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 December 2019–10 January 2020

Vacant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 January 2020–Present
DoD Key Officials 55

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

X. Assistant Secretaries of Defense

The number, titles, and duties of the Assistant Secretaries, with or without specific statutory designation, have 

changed over the years as needs or interests demanded. The current Assistant Secretary positions are listed 

alphabetically by current title in section A of this part, with their direct lineal predecessor positions (if any) listed 

therein chronologically. Positions that are no longer at an Assistant Secretary level but were originally so ranked 

are included in section B, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions. 

A. Current Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions

There currently are 13 Assistant Secretary positions: 

1. Acquisition

2. Energy, Installations, and Environment

3. Health Affairs

4. Homeland Defense and Global Security

5. Indo-Pacific Security Affairs

6. International Security Affairs

7. Legislative Affairs 

8. Sustainment

9. Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs

10. Readiness

11. Manpower and Reserve Affairs

12. Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict

13. Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities

1. Acquisition

Position established by Section 906(b) of NDAA FY10, PL 111-84 (28 October 2009) to serve as principal 

adviser to the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and 

Logistics on matters relating to acquisition.

Katrina G. McFarland (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 2011–24 May 2012

Katrina G. McFarland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 May 2012–20 January 2017

Dyke Weatherington (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017–14 December 2017

James A. MacStravic (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 December 2017–18 February 2018

Kevin M. Fahey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 February 2018–Present

2. Energy, Installations, and Environment

The position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy Plans and Programs (OEP&P) was 

established by Congress in Section 902 of NDAA FY09, PL 110-417 (14 October 2008). The Assistant Secretary 

is to lead, oversee, and be accountable for operational energy plans and programs within DoD and the military 
56 DoD Key Officials

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

services, as well as establish, coordinate, and implement the Department’s operational energy strategy and 

advise the Secretary and Deputy Secretary regarding operational energy plans, programs, and policy. Congress 

further elaborated on the activities and subordination of this office in Section 903 of NDAA FY10, PL 111-84 

(28 October 2009). 

Sharon E. Burke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 June 2010–9 May 2014

On 19 December, 2014, the position merged with the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and 

Environment when the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law. In addition to its prior 

responsibilities, the position is to create policies to improve facility energy efficiency, increase renewable energy 

use on U.S. installations and operations, promote energy security, and manage environmental compliance, 

conservation, and clean-up programs.

John Conger (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 December 2014–20 January 2017

Lucian Niemeyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017-Present

3. Health Affairs

Chairman, Armed Forces Medical Policy Council

Position established in 1949.

Dr. Raymond B. Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 July 1949–30 September 1949

Dr. Richard L. Meiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1949–2 January 1951

Dr. William R. Lovelace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1951–31 March 1952

Dr. Melvin A. Casberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 April 1952–31 March 1953

Reorganization Plan No. 6 (1953) abolished the council. The new position of Assistant to the Secretary of 

Defense (Health Affairs) assumed the functions.

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) 

Dr. Melvin A. Casberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 April 1953–2 August 1953

Position title changed to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health and Medical) on 3 August 1953, and some 

functions transferred to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower). (See part IX.B.6, Former Assistant 

Secretary of Defense Positions, Manpower.)

Dr. Melvin A. Casberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 August 1953–27 January 1954

Dr. Frank B. Berry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 January 1954–31 January 1961

Position abolished on 31 January 1961, and functions transferred to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower). 

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health and Environment)

Position established on 23 June 1970 by DoD Directive 5136.1 after Congress (PL 91-121, 19 November 1969) 

designated one Assistant Secretary position for health affairs.

Dr. Louis M. Rousselot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 July 1970–1 July 1971

Dr. Richard S. Wilbur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 July 1971–1 September 1973

Dr. James R. Cowan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 February 1974–1 March 1976

Vernon McKenzie (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 March 1976–8 March 1976

On 22 January 1976, the position title changed to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs).
DoD Key Officials 57

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)

The Secretary is responsible for overall supervision of the health and medical affairs of DoD. Serves as the 

principal staff assistant and adviser to the Secretary of Defense for all DoD health policies, programs, and 

activities, exercising oversight of all DoD health resources. Reports to the Under Secretary of Defense for 

Personnel and Readiness. One of five discretionary ASDs. 

Dr. Robert N. Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 August 1976–7 January 1978

Vernon McKenzie (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 January 1978–14 August 1979

Dr. John Moxley III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 September 1979–9 August 1981

Dr. John Beary (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 August 1981–24 September 1983

Vernon McKenzie (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 September 1983–17 November 1983

Dr. William Mayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 November 1983–21 April 1989

Dr. Enrique Mendez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 March 1990–20 January 1993

Dr. Edward D. Martin (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 1993–23 March 1994

Dr. Stephen C. Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 March 1994–31 March 1997

Dr. Edward D. Martin (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 April 1997–26 May 1998

Dr. Sue Bailey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 May 1998–10 August 2000

Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 October 2001–12 April 2007

Dr. S. Ward Casscells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 April 2007–29 April 2009

Dr. Charles Rice (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 March 2010–6 September 2010

Dr. Jonathan Woodson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 January 2011–1 May 2016

Dr. David Smith (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017–23 August 2017

Thomas P. McCaffery (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 August 2017–5 August 2019

Thomas P. McCaffery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 August 2019–Present

4. Homeland Defense and Global Security

This position was created as the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Homeland Defense) by the Bob Stump National 

Defense Authorization Act for FY 2003, PL 107-314 (2 December 2002). The Secretary’s principal duty is the 

overall supervision of DoD homeland defense activities, reporting to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. 

As a result of the reorganization of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) announced in 

September 2006, the position was renamed Assistant Secretary of Defense (Homeland Defense and Americas’ 

Security Affairs), connoting its responsibilities for North and South American security issues. 

Paul F. McHale* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 February 2003–20 January 2009

Paul N. Stockton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 June 2009–22 January 2013

*McHale was called to active duty by the Marine Corps and deployed to Afghanistan December 2006–July 

2007. No one was formally named as acting ASD in his absence. 

In order to comply with Section 906 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, Secretary 

Hagel eliminated the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Global Security Affairs) position. Responsibility for 

cyberspace, space, and countering weapons of mass destruction policies were transferred to Homeland Defense 

and the position was renamed Assistant Secretary of Defense (Homeland Defense and Global Security) when the 

nominee was confirmed.
58 DoD Key Officials

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Eric Rosenbach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 September 2014–6 July 2015

Thomas F. Atkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 November 2014–20 January 2017

Kenneth Rapuano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 June 2017–Present

5. Indo-Pacific Security Affairs

The position was created and defined as a result of the reorganization of the Office of the Under Secretary of 

Defense (Policy) announced in September 2006. It was formerly a position at the Deputy Assistant Secretary of 

Defense level under the Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs).

The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Asian and Pacific Security Affairs) is the principal adviser to the Under 

Secretary of Defense (Policy) and the Secretary of Defense on international security strategy and policy issues 

of interest to DoD that relate to the governments and defense establishments of the nations and international 

organizations within the Asia-Pacific region. Also responsible for oversight of security cooperation programs 

and foreign military sales programs within the regions under its supervision, in close cooperation with U.S. 

Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command. Represents the Department of Defense in interagency 

policy deliberations and international negotiations related to the Asia-Pacific region. This position was 

established under the authority of United States Code, Title 10, section 138, at the discretion of the Secretary of 

Defense. 

Assistant Secretry of Defense (Asian and Pacific Security Affairs)

James J. Shinn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 December 2007–14 November 2008

Mitchell Shivers (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 November 2008–20 January 2009

Wallace Gregson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 May 2009–1 April 2011

Peter R. Lavoy (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 April 2011–8 May 2012

Mark W. Lippert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 May 2012–24 April 2013

Peter R. Lavoy (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 May 2013–10 January 2014

David Shear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 July 2014–20 January 2017

David Helvey (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017–29 December 2017

Randall G. Schriver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 December 2017–20 February 2019

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Indo-Pacific Security Affairs)

The position was renamed Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs on 21 February 2019

Randall G. Schriver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 February 2019–31 December 2019

David Helvey (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 2020–Present

6. International Security Affairs

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs)

Between 1947 and 1949, one of the three Special Assistants to the Secretary of Defense, positions established by 

the National Security Act of 1949, PL 80-253 (26 July 1947), handled international security affairs. In 1949, the 

Secretary of Defense created the position of Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. 

One of five discretionary ASDs.

John H. Ohly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 March 1949–1 December 1949
DoD Key Officials 59

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Maj. Gen. James H. Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 December 1949–27 August 1951

Frank C. Nash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 August 1951–10 February 1953

Position changed in 1953 to Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs), based on 

Reorganization Plan No. 6, 30 June 1953, authorizing six new Assistant Secretaries of Defense.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs)

Responsible for the formulation and coordination of international security strategy and policy. Reported to the 

Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) when that office came into existence in 1977. Its scope of responsibility 

narrowed and changed over the years as DoD established other Assistant Secretaries of Defense within Policy 

beginning with the Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Policy) in 1981.

Frank C. Nash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 February 1953–28 February 1954

H. Struve Hensel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 March 1954–30 June 1955

Gordon Gray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 July 1955–27 February 1957

Mansfield D. Sprague . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 February 1957–3 October 1958

John N. Irwin II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 October 1958–20 January 1961

Paul H. Nitze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 January 1961–29 November 1963

William P. Bundy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 November 1963–14 March 1964

John T. McNaughton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1964–19 July 1967

Paul C. Warnke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 August 1967–15 February 1969

G. Warren Nutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 March 1969–30 January 1973

Lawrence Eagleburger (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 January 1973–10 May 1973

Robert C. Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 May 1973–5 January 1974

Vice Adm. Ray Peet (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 January 1974–1 April 1974

Amos A. Jordan (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 April 1974–4 June 1974

Robert F. Ellsworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 June 1974–22 December 1975

Amos A. Jordan (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 December 1975–5 May 1976

Eugene V. McAuliffe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 May 1976–1 April 1977

David E. McGiffert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 April 1977–20 January 1981

Francis J. West Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 April 1981–1 April 1983

Richard L. Armitage (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 April 1983–5 June 1983

Richard L. Armitage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 June 1983–5 June 1989 

Henry S. Rowen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 June 1989–31 July 1991

James R. Lilley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 December 1991–20 January 1993

Position abolished in 1993, with some functions transferred to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Regional 

Security Affairs. (See part IX.B.8, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions, Security Policy.) It was 

reestablished in 1994. 

Charles Freeman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 April 1994–14 September 1994

Joseph S. Nye Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 September 1994–16 December 1995

Franklin D. Kramer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 March 1996–16 February 2001

Peter W. Rodman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 July 2001–2 March 2007

Mary Beth Long (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 March 2007–21 December 2007

Mary Beth Long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 December 2007–20 January 2009
60 DoD Key Officials

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Alexander R. Vershbow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 April 2009–10 February 2012

Joseph McMillan (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 February 2012–23 May 2012

Derek H. Chollet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 May 2012–16 January 2015

Elissa S. Slotkin (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 January 2015–20 January 2017

Robert Story Karem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 June 2017–4 November 2018

Kathryn Wheelbarger (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 November 2018–Present

7. Legislative Affairs

Special Assistant (Legal and Legislative Affairs)

Position established at creation of the National Military Establishment (Department of Defense) in 1947 when 

the first Secretary of Defense assigned the responsibility to one of three Special Assistants. 

Marx Leva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 September 1947–11 September 1949

Position then assigned to one of three Assistant Secretaries authorized by the 1949 amendments to the National 

Security Act, PL 81-216 (10 August 1949), and retitled Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legal and Legislative Affairs).

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legal and Legislative Affairs)

Marx Leva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 September 1949–1 May 1951

Daniel K. Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 May 1951–19 November 1951

Charles A. Coolidge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 November 1951–31 December 1952

Position abolished in 1953. Functions divided and transferred to General Counsel and to Assistant Secretary 

of Defense (Legislative and Public Affairs). (See part IX.B.5, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions, 

Legislative and Public Affairs.)

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs)

Brig. Gen. Clarence J. Hauck Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 1957–April 1959

George W. Vaughan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 1959–March 1960

Brig. Gen. James D. Hittle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 1960–November 1960

Norman S. Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 January 1961–30 June 1962

David E. McGiffert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 August 1962–30 June 1965

Jack L. Stempler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 December 1965–4 January 1970

Richard G. Capen Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 January 1970–1 May 1971

Rady A. Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 May 1971–10 March 1973

Col. George L.J. Dalferes (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 March 1973–17 April 1973

Position redesignated Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs) on 11 April 1973.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs)

John O. Marsh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 April 1973–15 February 1974

John M. Maury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 April 1974–28 February 1976

William K. Brehm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 March 1976–20 January 1977

Position redesignated Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs) on 23 March 1977.

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs)
DoD Key Officials 61

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Jack L. Stempler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 March 1977–19 January 1981

Position redesignated Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs) in 1981 by DoD Directive 5142.1, 2 

July 1982. 

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs)

Russell A. Rourke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 May 1981–8 December 1985

M.D.B. Carlisle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 August 1986–28 April 1989

David J. Gribbin III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 May 1989–18 January 1993

Position redesignated Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs) in 1993.

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs)

Sandra K. Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 August 1993–15 September 1994

Position redesignated Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs) in 1994. The National Defense 

Authorization Act for FY94, PL 103-160, 30 November 1993, gave statutory standing to this position.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs)

The principal staff assistant to the Secretary of Defense for DoD relations with members of Congress and 

congressional liaison for testimony at congressional hearings. Coordinates the Department’s legislative program.

Sandra K. Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 September 1994–27 February 1999

John K. Veroneau (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 March 1999–10 November 1999

John K. Veroneau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 November 1999–16 February 2001

Powell A. Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 May 2001–December 2004

Daniel B. Stanley (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 2004–30 June 2005

Daniel B. Stanley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 June 2005–January 2006

Robert L. Wilkie (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 January 2006–29 September 2006

Robert L. Wilkie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 September 2006–20 January 2009

Elizabeth L. King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 May 2009–31 December 2014

Michael J. Stella (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 January 2015–April 2015

Stephen Hedger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2015-July 2016

Tressa Guenov (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 2016-20 January 2017

Pete Giambastiani (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017–31 July 2017

Robert R. Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 August 2017–Present

8. Sustainment

The National Defense Authorization Act for FY00, PL 106-65 5 October 1999), created the position of Deputy 

Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness as a second Deputy Under Secretary reporting 

to the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics). Congress intended to emphasize the 

importance of these functions by making this position the top adviser to the Secretary of Defense and the Under 

Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) on logistics and materiel readiness issues. Position 

retitled from Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Logistics and Materiel Readiness) in NDAA FY10, PL 111-84 

(28 October 2009), as part of an overall effort to limit the number of Deputy Under Secretary positions. 

As part of the restructuring of the acquisition, technology, and logistics reorganization as mandated by section 
62 DoD Key Officials

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

901 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, PL 114-328, the position of Assistant 

Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness was replaced with the position of Assistant Secretary 

of Defense for Sustainment.

Roger W. Kallock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 September 2000–19 January 2001

Diane Morales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 July 2001–2 January 2004

Phillip Jackson Bell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 August 2005–28 April 2009

Alan F. Estevez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 August 2011–29 October 2013

David J. Berteau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 December 2015–26 March 2016

Kristin French (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 July 2016–16 October 2016

Robert H. McMahon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 October 2018–22 November 2019

Peter Potochney (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 November 2019–30 March 2020

William Jordan Gillis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 March 2020–Present

9. Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs

Chairman, Military Liaison Committee

Committee established by the Atomic Energy Act of 1946, PL 79-585, 1 August 1946. Amendments to the 

Atomic Energy Act of 1949, PL 81-347, 11 October 1949, provided that the President appoint the Chairman, 

with advice and consent of the Senate, and that the Secretary of Defense designate committee members.

Lt. Gen. Lewis H. Brereton, USAF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 July 1947–30 March 1948

Donald F. Carpenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 April 1948–21 September 1948

William Webster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 September 1948–30 September 1949

Robert LeBaron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1949–1 August 1954

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Atomic Energy

From 13 April 1953, the Chairman of the Military Liaison Committee also served as Assistant to the Secretary 

of Defense for Atomic Energy.

Herbert B. Loper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 August 1954–14 July 1961

Gerald W. Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 August 1961–15 September 1963

William J. Howard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 January 1964–15 June 1966

Carl Walske . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 October 1966–15 April 1973

Donald R. Cotter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 October 1973–17 March 1978

James P. Wade Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 August 1978–14 June 1981

James P. Wade Jr. (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 June 1981–5 June 1982

Richard Wagner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 June 1982–1 April 1986

Robert B. Barker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 October 1986–14 November 1986

The National Defense Authorization Act for FY87, PL 99-661, 14 November 1986, abolished the Military 

Liaison Committee and established the Nuclear Weapons Council, but the position of Assistant to the Secretary 

of Defense (Atomic Energy) continued. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1988–1989, PL 

100-180, 4 December 1987, formally established the position in law.

Robert B. Barker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 November 1986–29 May 1992

John Birely (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 May 1992–6 May 1993
DoD Key Officials 63

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Harold P. Smith Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 June 1993–10 March 1996 

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense 

(Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs)

The National Defense Authorization Act for FY96, PL 104-106, 10 February 1996, redesignated the Assistant 

to the Secretary of Defense (Atomic Energy) as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Nuclear, Chemical, and 

Biological Defense Programs), effective 22 February 1996. See change 1 to DoD Directive 5134.8, 11 March 1996. 

Harold P. Smith Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 March 1996–31 January 1998

Dale E. Klein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 November 2001–30 June 2006

Arthur T. Hopkins (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 June 2006–8 July 2008 

Frederick S. Celec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 July 2008–19 May 2009

Assistant Secretary of Defense 

(Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs)

Section 905 of NDAA FY09, PL 110-147 (14 October 2008), modified the status of this position to be equivalent 

to that of an Assistant Secretary of Defense. Section 901 of NDAA FY11 (PL 111-383) changed the title to 

Assistant Secretary of Defense.

Andrew C. Weber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 May 2009–17 October 2014 

Arthur T. Hopkins (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 2015–21 November 2017

Guy B. Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 November 2017–2 April 2019

Alan R. Shaffer (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 April 2019-Present

10. Readiness

The Deputy Secretary of Defense established this position in a memorandum of May 23, 2011. The Assistant 

Secretary of Defense (Readiness and Force Management) is responsible for developing policies, providing advice, 

and making recommendations to the Under Secretary and Principal Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and 

Readiness) and the Secretary in the areas of civilian and military personnel policy, readiness of the force, and 

military community and family policy. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary of Defense is responsible for allocating 

assigned resources and providing oversight of subordinate activities, including the Department of Defense 

Education Activity and the Defense Commissary Agency. One of five discretionary ASDs.

Lynn C. Simpson (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2010–April 2011

Frederick E. Vollrath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 April 2013–15 June 2014

Vacant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 June 2014–13 November 2016

Elizabeth Van Winkle (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 November 2016–29 October 2017

Veronica B. Daigle (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 October 2017–27 June 2019

Veronica B. Daigle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 July 2019–31 January 2020 

Thomas A. Constable (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 February 2020-Present

11. Manpower and Reserve Affairs

Position mandated by the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1984, PL 98-94, 24 September 1983, with 

functions transferred from the disestablished Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs, and 

Logistics) on 1 October 1983. (See part IX.B.6, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions, Manpower.) 

Responsibilities established by DoD Directive 5125.1, 12 January 1984. The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve 
64 DoD Key Officials

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Affairs) is the principal staff assistant and adviser on Reserve Affairs to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel 

and Readiness) and to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense. The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve 

Affairs) reports directly to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) and exercises authority, 

direction, and control over the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

James H. Webb Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 May 1984–10 April 1987

Stephen M. Duncan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 October 1987–20 January 1993 

Deborah R. Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 June 1993–11 April 1998 

Charles L. Cragin (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 April 1998–31 May 2001

Thomas F. Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 October 2002–8 April 2009

Dennis M. McCarthy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 June 2009–1 June 2011

David L. McGinnis (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 June 2011–24 May 2012

Jessica L. Wright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 May 2012–31 December 2012

Todd A. Weiler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 May 2016–20 January 2017

Stephanie Barna (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017–31 July 2018

Virginia Penrod (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 July 2018–12 October 2018

James Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 October 2018–28 December 2019

Virginia Penrod (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 December 2019–Present

12. Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict)

Position mandated by NDAA FY87, PL 99-661 (14 November 1986) and officially established on 4 January 

1988 by DoD Directive 5138.3. Assisted Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) in development of policy and 

plans for low-intensity conflict activities and special operations, including civil affairs and psychological 

operations.

Charles S. Whitehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 July 1988–12 July 1989

Seth Cropsey (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 July 1989–18 October 1989

James R. Locher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 October 1989–19 June 1993

H. Allen Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 November 1993–30 April 1999

Brian E. Sheridan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 May 1999–12 January 2001

Thomas W. O’Connell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 July 2003–17 April 2007

Michael G. Vickers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 July 2007–17 March 2011

Michael Lumpkin (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 March 2011–19 December 2011

Michael G. Sheehan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 December 2011–25 August 2013

Michael Lumpkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 November 2013–26 July 2015

Theresa M. Whelan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 July 2015–30 May 2017

Caryn Hollis (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 May 2017–1 August 2017

Mark E. Mitchell (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 August 2017–20 December 2017

Owen O. West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 December 2017–22 June 2019

Mark E. Mitchell (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 June 2019–1 November 2019

Thomas Alexander (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 November 2019–Present
DoD Key Officials 65

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Position renamed Assistant Secretary of Defense (Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict and Interdependent 

Capabilities) as part of the reorganization of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) announced 

in September 2006. Major responsibilities of the office were realigned to include strategic capabilities, force 

transformation, and major budget programs, in addition to special operations and low-intensity conflict. The 

title reverted to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict) with Change 2 

to DoD Directive 5110.10, dated 21 October 2011.

13. Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities

Position was established on 9 January 2015, replacing the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Strategy, 

Plans, and Forces). In addition, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities) assumed 

responsibility for security cooperation and nuclear and missile defense policy missions that were previously 

managed by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflicts) and Assistant 

Secretary of Defense (Global Strategic Affairs). One of five discretionary ASD positions.

Robert Scher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 December 2014–18 March 2017

Thomas Harvey (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017–30 August 2018

James H. Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 August 2018–20 July 2020

Victorino Mercado (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 July 2019–2 March 2020

James H. Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 March 2020–Present

B. Former Assistant Secretary of Defense AND 

DIRECTOR Positions

These positions are grouped by function for ease of finding comparable positions that may or may not have 

similar names.

1. Administration 

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Administration and Public Affairs)

Position established as one of the three Assistant Secretary posts authorized by the amendments to the National 

Security Act, PL 81-216, 10 August 1949.

Paul H. Griffith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 September 1949–15 November 1950

Position abolished in 1950 and duties assigned to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower). (See item 6 in 

this section, Manpower.)

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Administration)

Position established 1 July 1964.

Solis Horwitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1964–29 January 1969

Robert F. Froehlke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 January 1969–30 June 1971

David O. Cooke (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 June 1971–3 November 1971

Position abolished on 3 November 1971. Functions transferred to newly created offices of Deputy Assistant 

Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) for Administration and Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence). (For 

Assistant Secretary of Defense [Intelligence], see IX.B.3 in this section, Command, Control, Communications, 
66 DoD Key Officials

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

and Intelligence.) 

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) for Administration

David O. Cooke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 November 1971–23 May 1988

Position changed on 24 May 1988 to Director of Administration and Management, per DoD Directive 5105.53. 

Director of Administration and Management

Coordinates administration and organizational matters Department-wide. Functioned also as Director, 

Washington Headquarters Services (established by DoD Directive 5110.4, 1 October 1977) from 1977 into 2002, 

when the Director of WHS became a separate billet. 

David O. Cooke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 May 1988–22 June 2002

Raymond F. DuBois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . assumed duties 1 October 2002; 

officially appointed 18 June 2003–May 2005

Michael B. Donley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 May 2005–21 June 2008

Michael L. Rhodes (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 June 2008–25 March 2010

Michael L. Rhodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 March 2010–25 January 2019

Sajeel Ahmed (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 January 2019–6 December 2019

Thomas Muir (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 December 2019–Present

Position changed on 13 August 2014 to Director of Administration, per DoD Directive 5230.29.

2. Civil Defense 

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Civil Defense)

Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958, 1 July 1958, transferred to the President the civil defense functions formerly 

assigned to the Federal Civil Defense Administration. The President delegated these functions to the Secretary 

of Defense by Executive Order 10952, 20 July 1961. Position created 31 August 1961, and abolished 1 April 

1964. 

Steuart L. Pittman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 September 1961–1 April 1964

The Office of Civil Defense moved to the Secretary of the Army in 1964. The Defense Civil Preparedness 

Agency then assumed responsibility for civil defense. When Reorganization Plan No. 3, 19 June 1978, led to 

the dissolution of this agency on 15 July 1979, the director of the new Federal Emergency Management Agency 

assumed responsibility for civil defense.

3. Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence 

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Telecommunications)

Position established in May 1970.

Louis A. deRosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 1970–May 1971

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Telecommunications)

Position established 11 January 1972, replacing position of Assistant to the Secretary of Defense 

(Telecommunications).

Eberhardt Rechtin (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 January 1972–15 February 1972

Eberhardt Rechtin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 February 1972–29 September 1973
DoD Key Officials 67

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

David L. Solomon (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 September 1973–17 January 1974

Position abolished 17 January 1974, and functions transferred to Director, Telecommunications and Command 

and Control Systems, by DoD Directive 5135.1.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence)

Position established 3 November 1971, with some functions transferred from Assistant Secretary of Defense 

(Administration). (See item 1 in this section, Administration.)

Albert C. Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 November 1971–25 March 1976

Additional designation of Director of Defense Intelligence added 20 July 1976. Position abolished on 11 March 1977.

Director, Telecommunications and Command and Control Systems

David L. Solomon (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 January 1974–18 February 1974

Thomas C. Reed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 February 1974–2 January 1976

Richard Shriver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 February 1976–20 January 1977

Position abolished on 11 March 1977, with the establishment of the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense 

(Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence).

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Command, Control, Communications, and 

Intelligence)

Position established by DoD Directive 5137.1, 11 March 1977, replacing positions of Director, 

Telecommunications and Command and Control Systems and Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence)/

Director of Defense Intelligence. The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Command, Control, Communications, 

and Intelligence) also served as Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, 

effective 21 October 1977.

Gerald P. Dinneen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 April 1977–20 January 1981

In March 1981, the position was retitled Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, 

Communications, and Intelligence.

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications, 

and Intelligence

Donald C. Latham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 July 1981–16 August 1984

This position was officially reestablished as an Assistant Secretary of Defense by DoD Directive 5137.1, 2 April 1985.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Command, Control, Communications, and 

Intelligence)

The position was mandated by the Department of Defense Authorization Act of 1984, PL 98-94 (24 September 

1983).The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence) was principal 

staff officer to the Secretary of Defense in his role as executive for the National Communications System. DoD 

Directive 5137.1 (12 February 1992) set forth his responsibilities in establishing and implementing information 

management policies. Directed the Defense Information Systems Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and 

the Defense Security Service. Subsequent directives enlarged the areas of supervision. 

Donald C. Latham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 August 1984–6 July 1987

Thomas P. Quinn (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 July 1987–23 May 1988

Gordon A. Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 May 1988–12 May 1989

Thomas P. Quinn (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 May 1989–19 November 1989
68 DoD Key Officials

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Duane Andrews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 November 1989–20 January 1993

Emmett Paige Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 June 1993–23 May 1997

Arthur L. Money (Senior Civilian Official) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 February 1998–5 October 1999

Arthur L. Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 October 1999–7 April 2001

John P. Stenbit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 August 2001–8 May 2003

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Networks and Information Integration)

The title of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence) changed to 

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Networks and Information Integration) in May 2003. As of 11 January 2012, 

the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Networks and Information Integration) position was disbanded and its 

authorities, responsibilities, personnel, and resources were transferred to the DoD Chief Information Officer. The 

Defense Information Systems Agency reports to the Chief Information Officer.

John P. Stenbit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 May 2003–6 March 2004

Linton Wells II (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 March 2004–14 November 2005

John Grimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 November 2005–30 April 2009

Cheryl Roby (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 May 2009–26 October 2010

Teresa M. Takai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 October 2010–11 January 2012

4. Comptroller

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)

The position originally was one of three Assistant Secretaries of Defense created by the 1949 amendments to 

the National Security Act of 1947. The Comptroller is the chief Defense Department official for budgetary and 

fiscal matters and the Chief Financial Officer. The function was previously performed by one of three special 

assistants created by the National Security Act of 1947.

Wilfred J. McNeil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 September 1949–1 November 1959 

Franklin B. Lincoln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 December 1959–20 January 1961

Charles J. Hitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 February 1961–31 July 1965

Robert N. Anthony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 September 1965–31 July 1968

Robert C. Moot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 August 1968–9 January 1973

Don R. Brazier (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 January 1973–20 January 1973

Terence E. McClary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 June 1973–31 August 1976

Fred P. Wacker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 September 1976–29 February 1980

Jack R. Borsting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 August 1980–31 December 1982

John R. Quetsch (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 1983–23 February 1983

Vincent Puritano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 February 1983–30 May 1984

John R. Quetsch (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 May 1984–14 August 1984

Robert W. Helm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 August 1984–1 October 1986

The position was designated Department of Defense Comptroller in 1986 by the Goldwater-Nichols Department 

of Defense Reorganization Act with the same status as an Assistant Secretary, although not so titled. 

Department of Defense Comptroller

Responsibilities included direction of the Defense Contract Agency and the Defense Finance and Accounting 

Service in addition to budget and contract responsibilities. 
DoD Key Officials 69

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Robert W. Helm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1986–1 September 1988

Clyde O. Glaister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 October 1988–22 May 1989

Sean O’Keefe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 May 1989–7 July 1992

Donald B. Shycoff (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 July 1992–2 April 1993

Alice Maroni (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 May 1993–26 October 1993

John J. Hamre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 October 1993–5 September 1994

In 1989, the Defense Comptroller was elevated to the level of an Under Secretary. (For the successor 

organization, see part VI.C, Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer.)

5. Public Affairs

Assistant to the Secretary (Director, Office of Public Information)

Position established by the Secretary of Defense on 14 July 1948.

Harold B. Hinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 July 1948–12 March 1949

William Frye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 March 1949–19 February 1950

Osgood Roberts (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 February 1950–24 January 1951

Clayton Fritchey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 January 1951–1 June 1952

Andrew H. Berding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1952–18 November 1953

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative and Public Affairs)

Position redesignated Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative and Public Affairs) as a result of 

Reorganization Plan No. 6, 30 June 1953, which increased the number of Assistant Secretaries of Defense, 

and Defense Directive 5122.1, 22 September 1953. (See part IX.B.5, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense 

Positions, Legislative and Public Affairs.)

Frederick A. Seaton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 September 1953–20 February 1955

Robert Tripp Ross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 March 1955–20 February 1957

Position abolished in 1957. Functions divided and transferred to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) 

and Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs). See DoD Directive 5105.13, 10 August 1957.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

Position established by Deputy Secretary of Defense memo, 21 February 1957. See DoD Directive 5105.13, 10 

August 1957.

Murray Snyder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 March 1957–20 January 1961

Arthur Sylvester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 1961–3 February 1967

Philip G. Goulding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 February 1967–20 January 1969

Daniel Z. Henkin (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 1969–25 May 1969

Daniel Z. Henkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 May 1969–20 January 1973

Jerry W. Friedheim (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 1973–13 April 1973 

Jerry W. Friedheim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 April 1973–20 September 1974

William Beecher (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 September 1974–11 February 1975

Joseph Laitin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 February 1975–19 December 1975

William I. Greener Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 December 1975–31 July 1976

M. Alan Woods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 August 1976–21 January 1977
70 DoD Key Officials

Assistant Secretaries of Defense

Thomas B. Ross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 March 1977–20 January 1981

Henry E. Catto Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 May 1981–16 September 1983

Benjamin Welles (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 September 1983–1 November 1983

Mary Lou Sheils (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 November 1983–22 November 1983

Michael I. Burch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 November 1983–22 June 1985

Fred Hoffman (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 June 1985–1 October 1985

Robert B. Sims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 October 1985–20 September 1987

Fred Hoffman (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 September 1987–2 February 1988

J. Daniel Howard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 February 1988–21 March 1989

Louis A. Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 May 1989–20 January 1993

Position title changed to Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs on 22 January 1993. Confirmed 

by DoD Directive 5122.5, 2 December 1993.

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs 

Vernon A. Guidry Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 January 1993–18 July 1993

Kathleen deLaski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 July 1993–5 August 1994

Kenneth H. Bacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 September 1994–29 March 1996

Position title changed to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) in DoD Directive 5122.5, 29 March 

1996, after the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 1995, PL 103-337 (5 October 1994), increased the 

number of Assistant Secretaries from 10 to 11.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) 

Principal staff adviser and assistant to the Secretary of Defense for DoD public information, internal 

information, the Freedom of Information Act, mandatory declassification review and clearance of DoD 

information for public release, community relations, information training, and audiovisual matters. Exercises 

direction, authority, and control over the Defense Media Activity. 

Kenneth H. Bacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 March 1996–19 January 2001

Victoria Clarke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 May 2001–20 June 2003

Lawrence Di Rita (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 August 2003–22 September 2005

J. Dorrance Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 January 2006–20 January 2009

Price Floyd (Performing the Duties Of) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dates not established

Douglas B. Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 February 2010–31 March 2012

George Little (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 April 2012–8 October 2012

In a memo from the Secretary of Defense, the position was retitled to Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for 

Public Affairs, effective 9 October 2012.

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs

George Little . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 October 2012–15 November 2013

Brent Colburn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 December 2014–20 January 2017

Dana W. White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 April 2017–31 December 2018

Charles E. Summers Jr. (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 January 2019-April 2019

Jonathan Hoffman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2019–Present

6. Manpower
DoD Key Officials 71

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower and Personnel)

Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall established this position in late 1950, when he abolished the position 

of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Administration and Public Affairs). In September 1955, the position was 

redesignated Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Personnel, and Reserve), and in 1961, Assistant 

Secretary of Defense (Manpower). PL 90-168, the Reserve Forces Bill of Rights and Vitalization Act, 1 January 

1968, changed the title to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).

Anna M. Rosenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 November 1950–20 January 1953

John A. Hannah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 February 1953–31 July 1954

Carter L. Burgess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 September 1954–22 January 1957

William H. Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 April 1957–24 May 1958

Charles O. Finucane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 July 1958–19 January 1961

Carlisle P. Runge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 February 1961–30 July 1962

Norman S. Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 August 1962–30 September 1965

Thomas D. Morris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1965–31 August 1967

Alfred B. Fitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 December 1967–20 February 1969

Roger T. Kelley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 March 1969–1 June 1973

Carl W. Clewlow (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 June 1973–1 September 1973

William K. Brehm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 September 1973–18 March 1976

David P. Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 July 1976–12 February 1977

The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs, and Logistics) assumed all functions of 

the position on 22 April 1977, DoD Directive 5124.1, 20 April 1977. This canceled DoD Directive 5120.27, 

establishing an Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), and DoD Directive 5126.22, 

establishing the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Installations and Logistics). (See part IX.B.9, Former Assistant 

Secretary of Defense Positions, Supply, Logistics, and Installations.)

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs, and Logistics)

John P. White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 May 1977–31 October 1978

Robert B. Pirie Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 June 1979–20 January 1981

Lawrence J. Korb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 May 1981–12 January 1984

Position title was changed, with Reserve Affairs functions transferred to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve 

Affairs), on 1 October 1983. Installations and logistics transferred to the new Assistant Secretary of Defense 

(Acquisition and Logistics), established 5 July 1985. (See part IX.B.9, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense 

Positions, Supply, Logistics, and Installations.)

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Installations, and Logistics) 

Lawrence J. Korb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 January 1984–5 July 1985

New title became Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management and Personnel), with position assuming 

only manpower duties on 5 July 1985.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management and Personnel)

Position established by DoD Directive 5124.2, 13 March 1985. Responsible for military and civilian manpower 

training, family matters, and review of manpower requirements, both military and civilian. Exercised direction 

of equal opportunity matters.

Lawrence J. Korb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 July 1985–31 August 1985
72 DoD Key Officials

Chapman B. Cox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 December 1985–8 July 1987

Grant S. Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 February 1988–5 March 1989

Christopher Jehn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 November 1989–20 January 1993

Edwin Dorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 July 1993–16 March 1994

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, PL 103-160 (30 November 1993), established the 

position of Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) and abolished the position of Assistant Secretary 

of Defense (Force Management and Personnel). DoD Directive 5124.2, 17 March 1994, spelled out the Under 

Secretary’s duties, including authority over the Assistant Secretaries for Health Affairs and Reserve Affairs. 

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management Policy)

Established on 7 July 1994 as the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management) under Personnel and 

Readiness, the title changed to Force Management Policy by DoD Directive No. 5124.5, 31 October 1994.

Frederick F.Y. Pang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 October 1994–15 November 1997

Francis M. Rush Jr. (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 November 1997–12 November 1999

Alphonso Maldon Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 November 1999–19 January 2001

Charles S. Abell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 May 2001–14 November 2002

The position was abolished in November 2002 when the new Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel 

and Readiness) took office.

7. Research and Engineering

Chairman, Research and Development Board

Established by the National Security Act of 1947.

Vannevar Bush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 September 1947–14 October 1948

Karl T. Compton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 October 1948–14 March 1950

William Webster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 March 1950–31 July 1951

Walter G. Whitman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 August 1951–29 June 1953

Board dissolved according to the provisions of Reorganization Plan No. 6 of 1953, and functions transferred to 

the following two positions:

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research and Development)

Donald A. Quarles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 September 1953–14 August 1955

Clifford C. Furnas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 December 1955–15 February 1957

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Applications Engineering)

Frank D. Newbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 August 1953–17 March 1957

The Assistant Secretary positions for Research and Development and Applications Engineering were combined 

in March 1957 to become the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering).

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering)

Frank D. Newbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 March 1957–17 May 1957

Paul D. Foote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 September 1957–31 October 1958

The Defense Reorganization Act of 1958 retitled this position as the Director of Defense Research and 

Engineering. While a director-level position typically is lower in status than an Assistant Secretary of Defense, 

in this case the redesignation signaled an upgrade in status.

Director of Defense Research and Engineering
DoD Key Officials 73

Herbert F. York. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 December 1958–30 April 1961

Harold Brown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 May 1961–30 September 1965

John S. Foster, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 October 1965–21 June 1973

Malcolm R. Currie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 June 1973–20 January 1977

William J. Perry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 April 1977–21 October 1977

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research and Technology)

When established in 1984, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research and Technology) reported to the Under 

Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, then beginning in 1986 to the Under Secretary of Defense 

(Acquisition).

Robert S. Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 August 1984–6 July 1985

Robert C. Duncan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 August 1986–21 December 1987

The Military Retirement Reform Act (PL 99–384, 1 July 1986) reestablished the position of Director of Defense 

Research and Engineering. This office was filled in December 1987 when the position of Assistant Secretary of 

Defense (Research and Technology) was abolished.

Director of Defense Research and Engineering

This position reports to the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics).

Robert C. Duncan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 December 1987–20 November 1989

Charles M. Herzfeld. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 March 1990–8 May 1991

Victor Reis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 December 1991–30 May 1993

Anita Jones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 June 1993–23 May 1997

Hans M. Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 July 1998–10 May 2001

Ronald M. Sega . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 August 2001–3 August 2005

John J. Young, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 November 2005–June 2008

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering)

The National Defense Authorization Act signed on 7 January 2011 set forth a number of redesignated positions 

within DoD. This included changing the Director of Defense Research and Engineering to Assistant Secretary 

of Defense for Research and Engineering, with responsibility to provide strategic guidance and coordination for 

science and technology investment across the Department.

Alan R. Shaffer (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 December 2012–26 June 2015

Stephen P. Welby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 February 2015–20 January 2017

Mary Miller (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 January 2017–1 February 2018

7B. Deputy Director of Defense Research and Engineering 

The Deputy Director of Defense Research and Engineering was designated an Assistant Secretary of Defense 

from 19 May 1961 to 15 July 1965. 

John H. Rubel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 May 1961–15 June 1963

Eugene G. Fubini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 July 1963–15 July 1965

8. Security Policy

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Regional Security Affairs)
74 DoD Key Officials

Combatant Commands

Established on 6 July 1993 by DoD Directive 5111.7. Principal assistant and adviser to the Under Secretary of 

Defense (Policy) for the coordination of regional security strategy and policy and political-military policy on issues 

relating to foreign governments and their defense establishments, excluding states of the former Soviet Union.

Charles Freeman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 July 1993–11 April 1994

The title of this position reverted to Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs) on 11 April 

1994 (see part IX.A.6, Current Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions, International Security Affairs).

Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Policy)

New position created in April 1981. Position responsible for disarmament, arms control, and all politicalmilitary activity involving NATO, other European countries, and the Soviet Union. Assumed these 

responsibilities from the Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs). Reported to the Under 

Secretary of Defense (Policy).

Richard N. Perle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 August 1981–8 May 1987

Ronald F. Lehman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 February 1988–11 May 1989

Stephen J. Hadley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 June 1989–20 January 1993

Position abolished in 1993, with some functions assigned to the new Assistant Secretary of Defense (Nuclear 

Security and Counterproliferation). Position reestablished in 1994.

Ashton B. Carter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 June 1994–14 September 1996

Franklin C. Miller (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 September 1996–1998

Jack D. Crouch II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 August 2001–31 October 2003

Peter C.W. Flory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 August 2005–December 2006

Position abolished in 2006 with responsibilities reassigned to other Assistant Secretaries of Defense.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Nuclear Security and Counterproliferation)

Ashton B. Carter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 June 1993–13 June 1994

Position established on 6 July 1993 by DoD Directive 5111.5 to replace the Assistant Secretary of Defense 

(International Security Policy). The title of this position reverted on 13 June 1994 to Assistant Secretary of 

Defense (International Security Policy), reporting to the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy). 

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Global Strategic Affairs)

New position reporting to the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) as a result of reorganization of the Office 

of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) announced in September 2006 and implemented by August 2007. 

Although its responsibilities apparently were never enshrined in a directive, the office focused on building the 

defense capabilities of partners and allies, coalition affairs, technology security policy, security cooperation, 

counternarcotics, counterproliferation, detainee affairs, and prisoner of war/missing in action issues. DoD 

Directive 2060.02, 19 April 2007, describes the responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Global 

Security Affairs) for responses to weapons of mass destruction incidents. Position renamed Assistant Secretary 

of Defense (Global Strategic Affairs) and altered in scope in 2009.

Joseph A. Benkert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 July 2008–20 January 2009

Michael Nacht . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 May 2009–20 May 2010

Kenneth Handelman (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 May 2010–1 August 2011

Madelyn R. Creedon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 August 2011–23 July 2014

The position was abolished in 2014. The functions of the office were transferred to the Assistant Secretary of 

Defense (Homeland Security and Global Security) on 9 January 2015.
DoD Key Officials 75

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategy and Threat Reduction)

Position established on 6 July 1993, as Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategy, Requirements, and Resources). 

The title subsequently changed to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategy and Requirements) in March 

1995 and then to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategy and Threat Reduction) in February 2000. Primarily 

responsible for defense strategy and ensuring that DoD’s resource allocation, force structure development, 

weapons acquisition planning, and budgeting process support the strategy. Position dropped in 2001. 

Edward L. Warner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 June 1993–29 September 2000

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Policy and Plans)

Position established 6 July 1993 and disestablished 15 March 1994.

Graham Allison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 August 1993–15 March 1994

9. Supply, Logistics, and Installations 

Chairman, Munitions Board

The National Security Act of 1947 established this position.

Thomas J. Hargrave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 September 1947–20 September 1948

Donald F. Carpenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 September 1948–30 June 1949

Hubert E. Howard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 November 1949–18 September 1950

John D. Small . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 November 1950–20 January 1953

Reorganization Plan No. 6, 30 June 1953, abolished the Munitions Board and transferred its functions to the 

Secretary of Defense and through him to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Applications Engineering) (see part 

IX.B.7, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Positions, Research and Engineering) and the Assistant Secretary 

of Defense (Supply and Logistics).

Director of Installations

Position created by PL 82-534, 14 July 1952.

Frank Creedon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 August 1952–29 June 1953

Position abolished by Reorganization Plan No. 6, 30 June 1953, and functions transferred to Assistant Secretary 

of Defense (Properties and Installations).

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Properties and Installations)

Franklin G. Floete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 August 1953–4 March 1956

Floyd S. Bryant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 May 1956–20 January 1961

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Supply and Logistics)

Position established following Reorganization Plan No. 6, 30 June 1953, when Munitions Board was abolished.

Charles S. Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 August 1953–2 May 1954

Thomas P. Pike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 May 1954–27 June 1956

E. Perkins McGuire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 December 1956–20 January 1961

This position and that of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Properties and Installations) combined to form 

the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Installations and Logistics), announced earlier but officially 

established on 30 January 1961 in DoD Directive 5126.22.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Installations and Logistics)
76 DoD Key Officials

Defense Agencies

Thomas D. Morris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 January 1961–11 December 1964

Paul R. Ignatius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 December 1964–31 August 1967

Thomas D. Morris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 September 1967–1 February 1969

Barry J. Shillito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 February 1969–1 February 1973

Arthur I. Mendolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 June 1973–31 March 1975

John J. Bennett (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 April 1975–9 February 1976

Frank A. Shrontz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 February 1976–19 January 1977

Position abolished on 22 April 1977. Acquisition functions transferred to the Director of Defense Research and 

Engineering and other responsibilities transferred to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Reserve Affairs, 

and Logistics), changing to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower, Installations, and Logistics). In 1985, the 

new Assistant Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Logistics) assumed the installation and logistics functions.

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Development and Support)

Established officially by DoD Directive 5129.4, 25 November 1984, and abolished when Assistant Secretary of 

Defense (Acquisition and Logistics) was established.

James P. Wade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 August 1984–5 July 1985

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Logistics)

Position announced on 29 January 1985; authorized by DoD Directive 5128.1, 19 November 1985.

James P. Wade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 July 1985–3 November 1986

Robert B. Costello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 March 1987–15 April 1987

This position was disestablished in April 1987 and replaced by Assistant Secretary of Defense (Production and Logistics).

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Production and Logistics)

Principal staff assistant for the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology) in areas of his 

responsibility. Coordinated with Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) on agreements with foreign countries.

Robert B. Costello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 April 1987–17 December 1987

Jack Katzen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 March 1988–8 January 1990

Colin McMillan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 March 1990–11 December 1992

As a result of reorganization of the office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology), an 

Assistant Secretary (Economic Security) position was established, per memorandum of 19 May 1993, replacing 

the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Production and Logistics). 

Assistant Secretary of Defense (Economic Security)

Position established 7 September 1993, replacing the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Production and Logistics). 

The position reported to the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology).

Joshua Gotbaum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 May 1994–25 December 1995

DoD Directive 5134.7, 5 April 1996, cancelled DoD Directive 5134.7, 21 August 1995, stating that the directive 

for this position has served the “purpose for which it was intended and is no longer required.”
DoD Key Officials 77

Defense Agencies

XI. Other OSD Principal Staff Assistants

A. Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for

Public Affairs

See section IX.B.5.

B. Chief Information Officer

The CIO is the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense 

on the policy and oversight of information resources management, to include matters related to information 

technology, network defense, and network operations. (See also section IX.B.3.)

Terry Halvorsen III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 May 2014–28 February 2017

John Zangardi (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 March 2017–8 December 2017

Essye B. Miller (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 December 2017–6 May 2018

Dana Deasy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 May 2018–Present

C. Directors of Net Assessment

Position established in 1973 to serve as the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Secretary and Deputy 

Secretary of Defense on net assessment matters. According to Defense Directive 5111.11, the Director shall 

develop and coordinate net assessments of the standing, trends, and future prospects of U.S. military capabilities 

and military potential in comparison with those of other countries or groups of countries so as to identify 

emerging or future threats or opportunities for the United States.

Andrew Marshall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 November 1973–5 January 2015

Andrew May (Acting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 January 2015–12 May 2015

James Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 May 2015- Present
78 DoD Key Officials

Defense Agencies

XII. Combatant Commands

A. Current Commands

U.S. Africa Command (Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany)

Established 1 October 2008

General Stephen J. Townsend, USA, Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 July 2019–Present

U.S. Central Command (MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL) 

Established 1 January 1983 

General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr, USMC, Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 March 2019–Present

U.S. European Command (Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany)

Established 1 August 1952

General Tod D. Wolters, USAF, Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 May 2019–Present 

U.S. Northern Command (Peterson AFB, CO)

Established 1 October 2002

General Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, USAF, Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 May 2018-Present

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (Camp H. M. Smith, HI)

Established 1 January 1947 as Pacific Command. Renamed 30 May 2018.

Admiral Philip Davidson, USN, Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 May 2018–Present 

U.S. Southern Command (Miami, FL)

Established 6 June 1963 

Admiral Kurt Tidd, USN, Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 January 2016–Present

U.S. Space Command (Peterson AFB, CO)

Established 29 August 2019

General John W. Raymond, USAF, Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 August 2019-Present

U.S. Special Operations Command (MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL)

Established 16 April 1987

General Raymond Thomas, USA, Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 March 2016-Present

U.S. Strategic Command (Offutt AFB, NE)

Established 1 June 1992

Admiral Charles A. Richard, USN, Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 November 2019–Present
DoD Key Officials 79

U.S. Transportation Command (Scott AFB, IL)

Established 1 July 1987

General Stephen R. Lyons, USA, Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 August 2018-Present

U.S. Cyber Command (Fort Meade, MD)

Established 4 May 2018

Lt. Gen. Paul Nakasone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 May 2018-Present

B. Disestablished Commands

U.S. Aerospace Defense Command: Disestablished 19 December 1986

U.S. Alaskan Command: Disestablished 30 June 1975

U.S. Atlantic Command: Redesignated U.S. Joint Forces Command 1 October 1999

U.S. Continental Air Defense Command: Disestablished 30 June 1975 

U.S. Far East Command: Disestablished 1 July 1957

U.S. Joint Forces Command: Disestablished 4 August 2011

U.S. Forces Command: Terminated as a Specified Command 1 October 1993;

 became an Army Command

U.S. Military Airlift Command: Terminated as a Specified Command 1 October 1988

U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean: Disestablished 1 December 1963

U.S. Northeast Command: Disestablished 1 September 1956

U.S. Readiness Command: Disestablished 30 September 1987

U.S. Strategic Air Command: Disestablished 1 June 1992

U.S. Strike Command: Disestablished 31 December 1971
80 DoD Key Officials

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XIII. Defense Agencies

A. Current Defense Agencies

1. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 

Established 12 February 1958 by PL 85-325, DoD Directive 5105.41, as Advanced Research Projects Agency. 

Name changed to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency by PL 104-106, NDAA FY96. Under the authority, 

direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. Deputy Secretary of 

Defense’s memorandum, 13 July 2018. 

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steven Walker

2. Defense Commissary Agency

Established 9 November 1990 by DoD Directive 5105.55.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Bianchi (Interim)

3. Defense Contract Audit Agency

Established 8 January 1965. DoD Directive 5105.36, 28 February 2002.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anita F. Bales 

4. Defense Contract Management Agency 

Established 27 March 2000. Succeeded the Defense Contract Management Command. Reports to the Assistant 

Secretary of Defense for Acquisition. Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of 

Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Deputy Secretary of Defense’s memorandum, 13 July 2018.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice Admiral David H. Lewis, USN

5. Defense Finance and Accounting Service 

Established 26 November 1990. Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense 

(Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer. DoD Directive 5118.05, 20 April 2012.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audrey Y. Davis (Acting)

6. Defense Health Agency

Established 1 October 2013. DoD Directive 5136.13. Assumed responsibilities of previous Tricare management 

activity.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice Admiral Raquel C. Bono, USN

7. Defense Information Systems Agency 

Established as Defense Communications Agency on 12 May 1960. DoD Directive 5105.19. Renamed Defense 

Information Systems Agency on 25 June 1991. Under the direction, authority, and control of the DoD Chief 

Information Officer. DoD Directive 5105.19, 25 July 2006.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice Admiral Nancy A. Norton, USN

8. Defense Intelligence Agency

Established 1 October 1961. The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence exercises the Secretary of 
DoD Key Officials 81

DoD Field Activities

Defense’s authority, direction, and control over the Director, DIA. DoD Directive 5105.21, 18 March 2008.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, USA

9. Defense Legal Services Agency

Established 12 August 1981. Under the direction, authority, and control of the General Counsel, who also serves 

as Director. DoD Directive 5145.04, 16 April 2012.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William S. Castle (Acting)

10. Defense Logistics Agency

Established 1 October 1961, as the Defense Supply Agency. Reports to the Assistant Secretary of the Defense 

for Sustainment. Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition 

and Sustainment. Deputy Secretary of Defense’s memorandum, 13 July 2018. 

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lt. Gen Darrell Williams, USA

11. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Established in 1993 by DoD Directive 5110.10. Under the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy. Name 

changed from POW/MIA on 15 October 1996. On 20 January 2015, the Defense POW/Missing Personnel 

Office (DPMO) and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) merged into the Defense POW/MIA 

Accounting Agency. USD(P) provides authority, direction and control over the Director.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly McKeague

12. Defense Security Cooperation Agency

Established 1 September 1971 as the Defense Security Assistance Agency. Name changed to Defense Security 

Cooperation Agency on 1 October 1998. DoD Directive 5105.65, 31 October 2000. The Director is under the 

authority, direction and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper

13. Defense Security Service

Succeeded the Defense Investigative Service, 25 November 1997. Under the authority, direction, and control of 

the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. DoD Directive 5105.42, 3 August 2010.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel E. Payne

14. Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Began operations 1 October 1998. Succeeded the On-Site Inspection Agency, the Defense Special Weapons Agency, 

and the Defense Technology Security Administration. Reports to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, 

Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs. Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of 

Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Deputy Secretary of Defense memorandum, 13 July 2018.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vayl S. Oxford

15. Missile Defense Agency

Established 24 April 1984 as the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, designated a Defense Agency on 

23 July 1984. DoD Directive 5141.5, 21 February 1986. Renamed the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, 

14 July 1993. DoD Directive 5134.9, 14 June 1994. Renamed Missile Defense Agency, January 2002. Under 

the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. Deputy 

Secretary of Defense’s memorandum, 13 July 2018.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, USAF
82 DoD Key Officials

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16. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Began operations on 1 October 1996 as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). Established 

by DoD Directive 5105.60, 11 October 1996, and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency Act of 1996. 

Succeeded the Defense Mapping Agency, the Central Imagery Office, the Defense Dissemination Program 

Office, and the National Photographic Interpretation Center. NIMA redesignated the National GeospatialIntelligence Agency in NDAA FY04, PL 108-136, 24 November 2003. The Under Secretary of Defense for 

Intelligence exercises authority, direction, and control on behalf of the Secretary of Defense over the Director, 

NGA. DoD Directive 5105.60, 29 July 2009. 

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Cardillo

17. National Reconnaissance Office

Established as covert organization by DoD and Central Intelligence Agency, 6 September 1961, to manage 

National Reconnaissance Program. DoD Directive TS 5105.23, 27 March 1964 (declassified). Existence of 

agency was publicly acknowledged 18 September 1992. The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence 

exercises the authority, direction, and control over the Director, NRO. DoD Directive 5105.23, 28 June 2011.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty J. Sapp

18. National Security Agency/Central Security Service

Established 5 December 1952. Under the direction, authority, and control of the Secretary of Defense. The 

Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence exercises the authority, direction, and control over the Director, 

NSA and the Chief, CSS. DoD Directive 5100.20, 26 January 2010.

Director, National Security Agency, 

Chief, Central Security Service, and 

Commander, USCYBERCOM: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General Paul M. Nakasone, USA

19. Pentagon Force Protection Agency

Established 3 May 2002. Formerly the Defense Protective Service. Under the authority, direction and control of 

the SCMO, effective 11 July 2014. DoD Directive 5105.68, 5 December 2013.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel P. Walsh (Acting)

B. Disestablished Defense Agencies

1. Ballistic Missile Defense Organization

Succeeded by the Missile Defense Agency, January 2002.

2. Central Imagery Office

Duties assumed by the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, 1 October 1999.

3. Defense Audiovisual Agency

Disestablished 30 September 1985.

4. Defense Audit Service

Dissolved in September 1982 when role assumed by Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Review and 

Oversight). 
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5. Defense Business Transformation Agency

Disestablished in 2011 with duties assigned to different organizations.

6. Defense Civil Preparedness Agency

Transferred to Federal Emergency Management Agency by Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978. 

7. Defense Communications Agency

Succeeded by the Defense Information Systems Agency, 25 June 1991.

8. Defense Investigative Service

Duties assumed by the Defense Security Service, May 1999.

9. Defense Mapping Agency

Disestablished 1 October 1996, with its functions transferred to the National Imagery and Mapping Agency.

10. Defense Nuclear Agency

Name changed to Defense Special Weapons Agency, June 1996; functions assumed by the Defense Threat 

Reduction Agency, 1 October 1998.

11. Defense Security Assistance Agency

Succeeded by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, 1 October 1998.

12. Defense Special Weapons Agency

Succeeded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 1 October 1998.

13. Defense Supply Agency

Succeeded by the Defense Logistics Agency, 5 January 1977.

14. National Imagery and Mapping Agency

Redesignated in PL 108-136, 24 November 2003, as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

15. On-Site Inspection Agency

Duties assumed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 1 October 1998.

16. Strategic Defense Initiative Organization

Succeeded by the Ballistic Defense Missile Organization, 14 January 1993.
84 DoD Key Officials

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XIV. Department of Defense Field Activities

A. Defense Media Activity

Defense Media Activity (DMA) was established in October 2008 as a result of the Defense Base Realignment 

and Closure Act as per Deputy Secretary of Defense memorandum, 24 September 2007, “Establishment of 

the Defense Media Activity,” and DoD Directive 5105.74, 18 December 2007, “Defense Media Activity.” The 

agency consolidates the Soldiers Media Center, Naval Media Center, Marine Corps News, Air Force News 

Service, and American Forces Information Service into a single field activity. DMA also includes Stars and 

Stripes newspaper and the Defense Information School. Under the authority, direction, and control of the 

Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Col. Paul Haverstick

B. Defense Technical Information Center 

Predecessor agency established during World War II as Air Documents Research Center; successor organization 

renamed Defense Technical Information Center in 1979. Established as a Department of Defense Field Activity 

in 2004 and under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and 

Engineering through the Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Research and Technology. Deputy 

Secretary of Defense’s memorandum, 13 July 2018.

Administrator: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christopher E. Thomas

C. Defense Technology Security Administration 

Established in 1985; disestablished in 1998, functions transferred to Defense Threat Reduction Agency. 

Reestablished 31 August 2001 by Deputy Secretary of Defense decision. Reports to Under Secretary of Defense 

for Policy.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Grant

D. Department of Defense Education Activity 

Established by DoD Directive 1342.20. Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of 

Defense for Personnel and Readiness. 

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Brady

E. Department of Defense Human Resources Activity 

Established by DoD Directive 5100.87 (29 June 1998) from the merger of the Department of Defense Civilian 

Personnel Management Service and the Defense Manpower Data Center. Under the authority, direction, and 

control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William H. Booth 
DoD Key Officials 85

Secretaries of Defense

F. Department of Defense Test Resource 

Management Center 

Established by DoD Directive 5105.71, 8 March 2004. Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under 

Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. Deputy Secretary of Defense’s memorandum, 13 July 2018.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G. Derrick Hinton (Acting) 

G. Office of Economic Adjustment 

Established by DoD Directive 3030.1, 29 November 1978. Director serves as executive director of the Economic 

Adjustment Committee. Under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for 

Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and 

Environment. DoD Directive 3030.01, 5 March 2006.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick J. O’Brien

H. Washington Headquarters Services (WHS)

Established 1 October 1977. The Director oversees a broad range of administrative, management, and common 

support services, including human resources and security clearance services, facilities and facility operations, 

information technology (IT) capabilities and services, financial management, acquisition and contracting, and 

secure communications. The Director also provides oversight of designated DoD-wide statutory and regulatory 

programs, supporting DoD Components and other federal entities as directed and assigned. DoD directive 

5110.04, 27 March 2013 is currently in coordination within the Department to reflect changes in the reporting 

authority. Under the authority, direction and control of the DCMO in a reorganization effective 11 July 2014. 

DoD Directive 5110.04, 27 March 2013.

Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Muir