Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Defense
Headline: Establishes Order of Succession for Department of Defense Secretary
What it does: The order directs officials in the Department of Defense to follow the listed succession order to act as Secretary when the Secretary cannot perform duties.
- Names which Defense officials will step in if the Secretary cannot serve.
- Prevents someone already serving in an acting role from becoming acting Secretary.
- Replaces an earlier succession order and allows presidential discretion to depart.
Summary
This order sets a clear list of who will serve as Secretary of Defense if the Secretary dies, resigns, or cannot perform duties. The officers named will act in the order listed, with rules about ties and appointment order.
It also bars anyone already serving in an acting job from becoming the acting Secretary and revokes a previous succession order and a June 2, 2005 memorandum.
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