Duties of the Secretary of DefenseThe main focus of the Department of Defense is to maintain safety and security within the United States. The Secretary of Defense ensures protection to the people and is also responsible for providing military forces when needed. The Department of Defense is the successor agency to the national military establishment. Under the direction of the President, The Secretary of Defense exercises, authority, direction and control. The second highest ranking official in this department is the Deputy Secretary. The Deputy is given the same powers as the Secretary and can act on these powers if he/she so chooses.
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History of the Secretary of DefenseThe Army, Navy, and Marine Corps were established in 1775 in the same era as The American Revolution. The War Department was established in 1789, and is now what we refer to as the Department of Defense.
Just one yea later, in 1790, the Coast Guard (part of Homeland Security in peace time) was established. This was followed by the founding of the Department of the Navy in 1798. The decision to unify the different services under the same Department led to the creation of the National Military Establishment in 1947. This establishment would replace the War Department, which converted to the Department of the Army. That same year, the U.S. Air Force was established followed by the founding of the Department of the Air Force. |
Chuck Hagel- Secretary of Defense
Chuck Hagel is the current Secretary of Defense. He has been in office since February 27, 2013.