Assignment of Functions Relating to Certain Promotion and Appointment Actions in the Armed Forces

2012-02-02Executive Order 13598
Signed by: Barack Obama
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Headline: Secretary of Defense Assigned Certain Military Promotion and Appointment Functions

What it does: The order directs the Secretary of Defense to exercise the President's promotion and appointment functions under certain military personnel laws.

Real World Impact:
  • Moves specific military promotion decisions from the President to the Defense Secretary.
  • Limits delegation to Senate-confirmed civilian officials inside the Secretary's office.
  • Keeps the President's overall authority and does not create enforceable legal rights.
Topics: military personnel, military promotions, defense department, government appointments

Summary

This order assigns to the Secretary of Defense certain functions that the President has under military personnel laws. It covers reports about promotions to brigadier general or equivalent, extensions of officers' promotion eligibility periods, and appointments for members of the Marine Band and Drum and Bugle Corps up to the rank of captain.

It allows the Secretary to delegate some functions only to Senate-confirmed civilian officials in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, but forbids delegating the Marine Band appointment authority; it also says it does not limit the President's authority or create legal rights.

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