Original: The Secretary of the Army ( SA or SECARMY ) is a civilian official within the Department of Defense of the United States of America with statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the United States Army : manpower , personnel , reserve affairs , installations , environmental issues , weapons systems and equipment acquisition , communications , and financial management .
Simplified: The United States Secretary of the Army is a civilian office within the Department of Defense with statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the United States Army : manpower , personnel , reserve affairs , installations , environmental issues , weapons systems and equipment acquisition , communications , and financial management .