Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army The Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army ( OAA ) has a primary mission , as specified in Title 10 of the United States Code and reiterated in General Orders # 3 and Regulations , to provide direct support to the Secretary of the Army , the Under Secretary of the Army and other Army presidential appointees . Office symbol . In accordance with Army Regulation ( AR ) 25 – 59 , OAA ' s office symbol is SAAA . History . In 1789 Congress enacted legislation that provided for a Chief Clerk to assist the secretary of war . As the young nation grew , the duties and responsibilities for the Office of the Chief Clerk also grew . The associated organizational entities significantly expanded and the title changed . Yet , throughout this long history , the tradition of unobtrusive , dedicated service remained a constant in the office known today as the Office of the Administrative Assistant ( OAA ) to the Secretary of the Army . The Administrative Assistant has duties in Executive Services and Operations Support and Business Activities . Executive Services . The Executive Services function comprises special staff elements formed to assist the Administrative Assistant in carrying out Title 10 responsibilities : maintaining custody of all records , books , and papers of the Department of the Army ; acting on behalf of the Secretary on administrative matters ; providing advice on management issues and administrative continuity within the Army during normal changes ; and serving as the primary Army point of contact for transitions between Presidential Administrations . Operations Support and Business Activities . Operations Support and Business Activities are carried out through field operating agencies that provide administrative products and services to a diverse and dynamic customer base in four distinct functional areas : Resources and Programs , U . S . Army Headquarters Services , Information Technology , and Military History . The customer base encompasses the Office of the Secretary of Defense , Defense agencies , and the Service Departments , as well as the Army ’ s Headquarters , Staff support , and field operating agencies . The OAA is also engaged in collateral agreements and customer provider relationships with other Federal agencies . Its geographic network of products and services includes the Pentagon , major commands within the National Capital Region , and field agencies worldwide . Mission , vision and motto . Mission . The office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army provides executive - level administrative support to the Secretary of the Army and senior army leaders . OAA manages resources for Headquarters , Department of the Army ; provides information technology services to the greater Pentagon community ; and manages the army publishing , records management , and historical and heraldry programs . OAA also provides visual information services , security , safety , and other support services to a diverse customer base . The primary mission , as specified in Title 10 of the United States Code and reiterated in General Orders # 3 and Army Regulations , is to provide direct support to the Secretary of the Army and other Army political appointees . Click here to view a full listing of Title 10 Administrative Assistant duties . Vision . An innovative , results - oriented organization recognized for service and workforce excellence . Motto . Service and Workforce Excellence