Office of the Secretary of Defense
Encyclopedia
The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is a headquarters-level staff of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. It is the principal civilian staff element of the Secretary of Defense
, and it assists the Secretary in carrying out authority, direction and control of the Department of Defense in the exercise of policy development, planning, resource management, fiscal, and program evaluation responsibilities. OSD includes the Immediate offices of the Secretary (SECDEF) and the Deputy Secretary of Defense
(DEPSECDEF), as well as five Under Secretaries of Defense in the fields of Acquisition, Technology & Logistics
; Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer
; Intelligence
; Personnel & Readiness
; and Policy
. All of these positions are Presidential appointments which require U.S. Senate confirmation.
Other positions include the Assistant Secretaries of Defense, Assistants to the Secretary of Defense, General Counsel
, Inspector General
Director of Operational Test & Evaluation
, Director of Administration and Management
, and such other staff offices as the Secretary establishes to assist in carrying out their assigned responsibilities.
Major elements of OSD (listed alphabetically):
, Chairman of the Senate Armed Service Committee, wrote that the Department was apparently exercising the authority to appoint other significant officials - termed Deputy Under Secretaries of Defense (DUSDs) - "without statutory authorization, without limitation, and without Senate confirmation." Levin was "concerned that the proliferation of DUSDs at multiple levels of the organization could muddy lines of authority and may not be in the best interest of the Department of Defense." Subsequent legislation established five Senate-confirmed Principal Deputies (i.e., "first assistants"), one for each Under Secretary of Defense.
The FY10 NDAA gave the DoD until January 1, 2011, to eliminate or redesignate all other Deputy Under Secretaries who are not PDUSDs. The FY11 NDAA extended this deadline to January 1, 2015. During that time, the Secretary may, at his or her discretion, appoint within OSD five additional non-PAS DUSDs beyond the five statutory PAS-PDUSDs. The USD(I) appears to be maintaining at least three non-PAS DUSDs, although they have been renamed. The USD (AT&L) has maintained the non-PAS DUSD for Installations and Environment, though the FY11 NDAA recommended merging this post with the newly created ASD for Operational Energy Plans and Programs. The USD(P) has maintained a non-PAS DUSD for Strategy, Plans, and Forces, though the FY11 NDAA recommended eliminating this position.
Nevertheless, a number of positions have been redesignated or eliminated during the Obama
administration, pursuant to statutory language contained in the National Defense Authorization Acts of FY10
and FY11
. and subsequent internal DoD reports.
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...
, and it assists the Secretary in carrying out authority, direction and control of the Department of Defense in the exercise of policy development, planning, resource management, fiscal, and program evaluation responsibilities. OSD includes the Immediate offices of the Secretary (SECDEF) and the Deputy Secretary of Defense
United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of Defense is the second-highest ranking official in the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Deputy Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate...
(DEPSECDEF), as well as five Under Secretaries of Defense in the fields of Acquisition, Technology & Logistics
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics
The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics - USD - is a senior official in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the Department of Defense of the United States of America...
; Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer
Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)
The Under Secretary of Defense is the Chief Financial Officer of the United States Department of Defense. The responsibilities of the Department of Defense's Chief Financial Officer include developing and implementing Department of Defense-wide financial policy, financial management systems, and...
; Intelligence
Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence
The Under Secretary for Intelligence or USD is a high-ranking civilian position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the U.S. Department of Defense that acts as the principal advisor and deputy to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on matters relating to intelligence...
; Personnel & Readiness
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
The Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, or USD is a high-ranking civilian position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the United States Department of Defense responsible for advising the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on recruitment, career development, pay and...
; and Policy
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is a high level civilian official in the United States Department of Defense. The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is the principal staff assistant and adviser to both the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Defense for all matters...
. All of these positions are Presidential appointments which require U.S. Senate confirmation.
Other positions include the Assistant Secretaries of Defense, Assistants to the Secretary of Defense, General Counsel
General Counsel of the Department of Defense
The General Counsel of the Department of Defense serves as the chief legal officer of the Department of Defense , advising both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on all legal matters and services, and providing legal advice to OSD organizations and, as appropriate, other DOD components...
, Inspector General
Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense
The Department of Defense Inspector General is an independent, objective agency that provides oversight related to the programs and operations of the Department of Defense...
Director of Operational Test & Evaluation
Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E)
The Director, Operational Test and Evaluation is the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Secretary of Defense on operational and live fire test and evaluation activities involving U.S...
, Director of Administration and Management
Director of Administration and Management (DoD)
The Director of Administration and Management, or DA&M, is a position within the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Department of Defense...
, and such other staff offices as the Secretary establishes to assist in carrying out their assigned responsibilities.
Composition of OSD
- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security AffairsAssistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security AffairsThe Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, or ASD is the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Secretary of Defense on international security strategy and policy on issues of DoD interest that relate to the governments and defense...
(APSA) - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic AffairsAssistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic AffairsThe Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs, or ASD, is a position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense that develops policy for the Secretary on countering weapons of mass destruction, nuclear forces and missile defense, cyber security and space issues...
(GSA) - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health AffairsAssistant Secretary of Defense for Health AffairsThe Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs is chartered under United States Department of Defense Directive 5136.1 in 1994. This DoDD states that the ASD is the principal advisor to the U.S...
(HA) - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security AffairsAssistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security AffairsThe Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs, or ASD, is responsible for the supervision of DoD homeland defense activities, defense support of civil authorities, and Western Hemisphere security affairs for the Department of Defense. The position was...
(HD&ASA) - Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security AffairsAssistant Secretary of Defense for International Security AffairsIn America, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs or ASD is the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Secretary of Defense on international security strategy and policy on issues of DoD interest related to the governments and defense...
(ISA) - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative AffairsAssistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative AffairsThe Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, or ASD is the head of the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, responsible for providing support to the Secretary of Defense in his/her dealings with the United States Congress...
(LA) - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel ReadinessAssistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel ReadinessThe Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness, or ASD is the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, , Deputy Secretary of Defense , and Secretary of Defense on logistics and materiel readiness...
(L&MR) - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration/Chief Information Officer (NII/DoD CIO)
- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical & Biological Defense ProgramsAssistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical & Biological Defense ProgramsThe Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical & Biological Defense Programs, or ASD, is the principal adviser to the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics for all matters concerning the formulation...
(NCB) - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public AffairsAssistant Secretary of Defense for Public AffairsThe Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, or ASD is the principal staff advisor and assistant to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense for public information, internal information, community relations, information training, and audiovisual matters in support of...
(PA) - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (R&E)
- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve AffairsAssistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve AffairsIn the United States military, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, or ASD , serves as Principal Staff Assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, with responsibility for overall...
(RA) - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict & Interdependent Capabilities (SO/LIC&IC)
- Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Oversight (IO)
- Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manufacturing and Industrial Base
- Deputy Chief Management Officer
- Deputy Secretary of Defense
- Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and EnvironmentDeputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and EnvironmentThe Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment, or DUSD, provides management and oversight of military installations worldwide and manages environmental, safety, and occupational health programs for the Department of Defense . DoD's installations cover some , with 539,000...
(I&E) - Director of Administration and ManagementDirector of Administration and Management (DoD)The Director of Administration and Management, or DA&M, is a position within the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Department of Defense...
(DA&M) - Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE)
- Director of Family Policy
- Director of Force TransformationOffice of Force TransformationThe United States Department of Defense Office of Force Transformation was established October 29, 2001 in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. It now appears to have been disestablished....
- Director of Net AssessmentOffice of Net AssessmentThe United States Department of Defense's Office of Net Assessment was created in 1973. The Director of Net Assessment is the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on net assessment matters...
- Director of the Office of Corrosion Policy and Oversight
- Director, Operational Test and EvaluationDirector, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E)The Director, Operational Test and Evaluation is the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Secretary of Defense on operational and live fire test and evaluation activities involving U.S...
(DOT&E) - Director of Small Business Programs
- Executive Secretary of the Department of Defense
- General Counsel of the Department of DefenseGeneral Counsel of the Department of DefenseThe General Counsel of the Department of Defense serves as the chief legal officer of the Department of Defense , advising both the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on all legal matters and services, and providing legal advice to OSD organizations and, as appropriate, other DOD components...
- Inspector General of the Department of DefenseOffice of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of DefenseThe Department of Defense Inspector General is an independent, objective agency that provides oversight related to the programs and operations of the Department of Defense...
- Secretary of Defense
- Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial OfficerUnder Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)The Under Secretary of Defense is the Chief Financial Officer of the United States Department of Defense. The responsibilities of the Department of Defense's Chief Financial Officer include developing and implementing Department of Defense-wide financial policy, financial management systems, and...
(C/CFO) - Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and LogisticsUnder Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and LogisticsThe Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics - USD - is a senior official in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the Department of Defense of the United States of America...
(AT&L) - Under Secretary of Defense for IntelligenceUnder Secretary of Defense for IntelligenceThe Under Secretary for Intelligence or USD is a high-ranking civilian position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the U.S. Department of Defense that acts as the principal advisor and deputy to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on matters relating to intelligence...
(I) - Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and ReadinessUnder Secretary of Defense for Personnel and ReadinessThe Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, or USD is a high-ranking civilian position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the United States Department of Defense responsible for advising the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on recruitment, career development, pay and...
(P&R) - Under Secretary of Defense for PolicyUnder Secretary of Defense for PolicyThe Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is a high level civilian official in the United States Department of Defense. The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is the principal staff assistant and adviser to both the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Defense for all matters...
(P)
Major Reorganizations
The composition of OSD is in a state of consistent flux, as Congress and DoD perpetually create new offices, redesignate existing ones, and abolish others.Obama Administration Changes
During the Obama administration, Congress has sought to clarify the organization of OSD, and has worked with the Department to move toward a standardization of official naming conventions. Many Defense officials, including the DEPSECDEF, all five USDs, and all ASDs, as well as any officials specifically designated in U.S. Code have historically been considered Presidentially-Appointed, Senate-Confirmed (PAS) officials, in that the Senate must provide "advice and consent" for each individual before he or she can operate in an official capacity. In a March 2009 letter, Senator Carl LevinCarl Levin
Carl Milton Levin is a Jewish-American United States Senator from Michigan, serving since 1979. He is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
, Chairman of the Senate Armed Service Committee, wrote that the Department was apparently exercising the authority to appoint other significant officials - termed Deputy Under Secretaries of Defense (DUSDs) - "without statutory authorization, without limitation, and without Senate confirmation." Levin was "concerned that the proliferation of DUSDs at multiple levels of the organization could muddy lines of authority and may not be in the best interest of the Department of Defense." Subsequent legislation established five Senate-confirmed Principal Deputies (i.e., "first assistants"), one for each Under Secretary of Defense.
The FY10 NDAA gave the DoD until January 1, 2011, to eliminate or redesignate all other Deputy Under Secretaries who are not PDUSDs. The FY11 NDAA extended this deadline to January 1, 2015. During that time, the Secretary may, at his or her discretion, appoint within OSD five additional non-PAS DUSDs beyond the five statutory PAS-PDUSDs. The USD(I) appears to be maintaining at least three non-PAS DUSDs, although they have been renamed. The USD (AT&L) has maintained the non-PAS DUSD for Installations and Environment, though the FY11 NDAA recommended merging this post with the newly created ASD for Operational Energy Plans and Programs. The USD(P) has maintained a non-PAS DUSD for Strategy, Plans, and Forces, though the FY11 NDAA recommended eliminating this position.
Nevertheless, a number of positions have been redesignated or eliminated during the Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
administration, pursuant to statutory language contained in the National Defense Authorization Acts of FY10
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 is a law in the United States signed by President Barack Obama on October 28, 2009. As a bill it was H.R. 2647 in the 111th Congress...
and FY11
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011
The Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 , is a law in the United States signed by President Barack Obama on January 7, 2011. As a bill it was originally H.R.5136 in the 111th Congress and later co-sponsored by Representative Ike Skelton as H.R. 6523 and renamed...
. and subsequent internal DoD reports.
| Previous Office Title | New Office Title | Reports To | Requires Senate Confirmation? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New position | ASD for Acquisition | USD(AT&L) Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics - USD - is a senior official in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the Department of Defense of the United States of America... |
Yes |
| DUSD for Industrial Policy | DASD for Manufacturing and Industrial Base | ASD for Acquisition | No |
| DUSD for Logistics and Material Readiness | ASD for Logistics and Material Readiness | USD(AT&L) Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics - USD - is a senior official in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the Department of Defense of the United States of America... |
Yes |
| Director of Operational Energy Plans and Programs | ASD for Operational Energy Plans and Programs | USD(AT&L) Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics - USD - is a senior official in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the Department of Defense of the United States of America... |
Yes |
| Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs | ASD for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical & Biological Defense Programs The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical & Biological Defense Programs, or ASD, is the principal adviser to the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics for all matters concerning the formulation... |
USD(AT&L) Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics - USD - is a senior official in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the Department of Defense of the United States of America... |
Yes |
| Director of Defense Research and Engineering | ASD for Research and Engineering (R&E) | USD(AT&L) Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics - USD - is a senior official in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the Department of Defense of the United States of America... |
Yes |
| Director of Developmental Test and Evaluation | DASD for Developmental Test and Evaluation | ASD(R&E) | No |
| Director of Systems Engineering | DASD for Systems Engineering | ASD(R&E) | No |
| New position | ASD for Readiness and Force Management (R&FM) | USD(P&R) Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness The Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, or USD is a high-ranking civilian position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the United States Department of Defense responsible for advising the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on recruitment, career development, pay and... |
Yes |
| DUSD for Civilian Personnel Policy | DASD for Civilian Personnel Policy | ASD for Readiness and Force Management (R&FM) | No |
| DUSD for Military Community and Family Policy | DASD for Military Community and Family Policy | ASD for Readiness and Force Management (R&FM) | No |
| DUSD for Military Personnel Policy | DASD for Military Personnel Policy | ASD for Readiness and Force Management (R&FM) | No |
| DUSD for Readiness | DASD for Readiness | ASD for Readiness and Force Management (R&FM) | No |
| DUSD for Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy | DASD for Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy | ASD for Readiness and Force Management (R&FM) | No |
| Chief of Staff | USD(P&R) Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness The Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, or USD is a high-ranking civilian position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the United States Department of Defense responsible for advising the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on recruitment, career development, pay and... |
No | |
| DUSD for Joint & Coalition Warfighter Support | DUSD for Warfighter Support & Operations | Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence The Under Secretary for Intelligence or USD is a high-ranking civilian position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the U.S. Department of Defense that acts as the principal advisor and deputy to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on matters relating to intelligence... |
No |
| DUSD for Technical Collection & Analysis and HUMINT, Counterintel & Security | DUSD for Intelligence & Security | Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence The Under Secretary for Intelligence or USD is a high-ranking civilian position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the U.S. Department of Defense that acts as the principal advisor and deputy to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on matters relating to intelligence... |
No |
| DUSD for Portfolio Programs & Resources | DUSD for Military Intelligence Program & Planning | Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence The Under Secretary for Intelligence or USD is a high-ranking civilian position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense within the U.S. Department of Defense that acts as the principal advisor and deputy to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on matters relating to intelligence... |
No |
| DUSD for Science and Technology | Eliminated | - | n/a |
| DUSD for Advanced Systems and Concepts | Eliminated | - | n/a |
See also
- The Joint Staff
- Office of the Secretary of the Army
- Office of the Secretary of the Navy
- Office of the Secretary of the Air Force
- Headquarters Marine CorpsHeadquarters Marine CorpsHeadquarters Marine Corps is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions...
- The Air Staff