United States Secretary of Defense: Difference between revisions
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The '''United States Secretary of Defense''' is the civilian official with direct authority over all the military and civilian personnel of the [[United States Department of Defense]]. | The '''United States Secretary of Defense''' is the civilian official with direct authority over all the military and civilian personnel of the [[United States Department of Defense]]. [[Robert M. Gates]] is the incumbent. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Originally, the United States had a separate Secretary of War and Secretary of the Navy, heading separate cabinet-level departments. | Originally, the United States had a separate Secretary of War and Secretary of the Navy, heading separate cabinet-level departments. | ||
Revision as of 10:28, 10 May 2008
The United States Secretary of Defense is the civilian official with direct authority over all the military and civilian personnel of the United States Department of Defense. Robert M. Gates is the incumbent.
History
Originally, the United States had a separate Secretary of War and Secretary of the Navy, heading separate cabinet-level departments.
With the passage of the National Security Act of 1947[1], the Department superseded the War Department|War Department and Department of the Navy. This Act created the Office of the Secretary of Defense.