Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Defense
Headline: Establishes Order of Succession for Department of Defense
What it does: Department of Defense officials must follow the listed order to act as Secretary of Defense when the Secretary is unable to serve.
- Creates a clear chain for who leads the Defense Department if Secretary can't serve.
- Bars officials serving in acting roles from becoming Acting Secretary under this order.
- Replaces and revokes the prior Department of Defense succession order.
Summary
This order sets a specific line of people who will act as Secretary of Defense if the Secretary dies, resigns, or cannot perform duties. It lists 19 categories of officials in a ranked order and explains how to decide precedence among officers who share the same rank.
The order bars individuals who are themselves acting in their positions from becoming Acting Secretary, requires those who act to be Senate-confirmed, allows the President to depart from the list when permitted by law, and revokes the prior succession order.
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