UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
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The Department of the Army is a
Military Department within the United States Department of Defense. The
Department is headed by the Secretary of the Army, who by statute must be a
civilian, appointed by the President with the confirmation by the United States
Senate. The Secretary of the Army is responsible for, and has the authority to
conduct all the affairs of the Department of the Army, subject to the
authority, direction and control of the Secretary of Defense. The Department of
the Army is divided between its Headquarters at the Seat of Government and the
field organizations of the Army.
By direction of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army assigns Army forces, apart from those units performing duties enumerated in 10 U.S.C. § 3013 (i.e. organize, train & equip) or unless otherwise directed, to the operational command of the Commanders of the Combatant Commands. Only the Secretary of Defense (and the President) has the authority to approve transfer of forces to and from Combatant Commands. 10 U.S.C. § 162.
By direction of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army assigns Army forces, apart from those units performing duties enumerated in 10 U.S.C. § 3013 (i.e. organize, train & equip) or unless otherwise directed, to the operational command of the Commanders of the Combatant Commands. Only the Secretary of Defense (and the President) has the authority to approve transfer of forces to and from Combatant Commands. 10 U.S.C. § 162.
_The Army Staff is led by the Chief
of Staff of the Army, a four-star general who is a the highest ranking officer
in the Army and the Army member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Chief of
Staff is assisted in managing the Army Staff by the Vice Chief of Staff of the
United States Army, a four-star general and second-highest ranking officer in
the Army. The Army Staff is divided into several directorates, each headed by a
three-star general.
A key official within the Army Staff is the Director of the Army Staff, who is a three-star general. The Director is responsible for integrating and synchronizing the work of the Office of the Secretary and the Army Staff so that they meet the goals and priorities of the Secretary of the Army. Other key figures within the Army Staff are the Sergeant Major of the Army, the United States Army Judge Advocate General, the Chief of the Army Reserve, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the United States Army Provost Marshal General, and the United States Army Surgeon General.
Click here for an overview of all field organizations of the Department of the Army.
A key official within the Army Staff is the Director of the Army Staff, who is a three-star general. The Director is responsible for integrating and synchronizing the work of the Office of the Secretary and the Army Staff so that they meet the goals and priorities of the Secretary of the Army. Other key figures within the Army Staff are the Sergeant Major of the Army, the United States Army Judge Advocate General, the Chief of the Army Reserve, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the United States Army Provost Marshal General, and the United States Army Surgeon General.
Click here for an overview of all field organizations of the Department of the Army.