Order of Succession of Officers To Act as Secretary of the Army
Headline: Establishes Succession for Acting Secretary of the Army
What it does: Department of the Army officials must follow a specified temporary line of succession to act for the Secretary during death, disability, resignation, or temporary absence.
- Provides clear temporary leadership when the Army Secretary cannot serve.
- Prevents officers serving only in acting roles from assuming Secretary powers.
- Leaves successors' formal appointments intact; succession is temporary, not permanent.
Summary
This order sets a temporary line of succession to act as Secretary of the Army if the Secretary dies, becomes permanently disabled, resigns, or is temporarily absent or disabled. The order names the Under Secretary first, then the Assistant Secretaries and General Counsel (by length of permanent service), then the Chief of Staff.
It also says the Secretary decides precedence when appointees share the same appointment date, bars officers who themselves only serve in acting roles from stepping in, and makes succession interim without vacating appointments.
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