Joint Chiefs of Staff: Difference between revisions
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The '''Joint Chiefs of Staff''' (JCS) are the senior uniformed military leaders who advise the | The '''Joint Chiefs of Staff''' (JCS) are the senior uniformed military leaders who advise the President of the United States, the [[Secretary of Defense]], the [[National Security Council]], and the [[Homeland Security Council]] on military matters. The JCS serve as the highest-ranking advisory body within the [[United States Armed Forces]], providing professional military advice and strategic guidance. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
== Role == | == Role == | ||
The JCS do not exercise operational command authority. Instead, they: | '''The JCS do not exercise operational command authority. Instead, they''': | ||
Provide professional military advice on strategy, readiness, and policy. | * Provide professional military advice on strategy, readiness, and policy. | ||
Assist in planning joint operations. | * Assist in planning joint operations. | ||
Review force structure and modernization programs. | * Review force structure and modernization programs. | ||
Contribute to the development of national security strategy. | * Contribute to the development of national security strategy. | ||
Operational command of forces belongs to the [[Unified Combatant Commands]], under the direction of the [[Secretary of Defense]] and the [[President of the United States]]. | * Operational command of forces belongs to the [[Unified Combatant Commands]], under the direction of the [[Secretary of Defense]] and the [[President of the United States]]. | ||
== Leadership == | == Leadership == | ||
Latest revision as of 14:43, 23 August 2025
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) are the senior uniformed military leaders who advise the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council on military matters. The JCS serve as the highest-ranking advisory body within the United States Armed Forces, providing professional military advice and strategic guidance.
History
The Joint Chiefs of Staff were created during World War II in 1942 as an informal group to coordinate U.S. military strategy with Allied forces. After the war, the National Security Act of 1947 formally established the JCS as a permanent body. Since then, the structure and role of the JCS have evolved, especially after the Goldwater–Nichols Act of 1986, which clarified command authority and emphasized joint operations.
Composition
The Joint Chiefs of Staff include:
- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Armed Forces and principal military advisor to the President.
- Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – deputy to the Chairman.
- Chief of Staff of the Army.
- Chief of Naval Operations.
- Commandant of the Marine Corps.
- Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
- Chief of Space Operations.
- Commandant of the Coast Guard (when matters involving the Coast Guard are discussed).
Role
The JCS do not exercise operational command authority. Instead, they:
- Provide professional military advice on strategy, readiness, and policy.
- Assist in planning joint operations.
- Review force structure and modernization programs.
- Contribute to the development of national security strategy.
- Operational command of forces belongs to the Unified Combatant Commands, under the direction of the Secretary of Defense and the President of the United States.
Leadership
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a four-year term. The Chairman outranks all other officers but does not command troops directly.
Headquarters
The JCS operate from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.