The Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958 is a United States federal law which was created to provide for more effective administration for the Department of Defense

United States Department of Defense

The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...

 (DoD). Written and promoted by the Eisenhower administration, it was signed into law August 6, 1958. Its goal was to streamline channels of authority in DoD, and still maintain the authority of the Military Departments. Also provided in this legislation was a centralized research authority the Advanced Research Projects Agency, eventually known as DARPA.

The Act moved decision-making authority from the Military Departments to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...

 and the Secretary of Defense

United States Secretary of Defense

The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...

. It also strengthened the command channel of the military over U.S. forces from the President

President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....

to the Secretary of Defense.