Order of Succession of Officers To Act as Secretary of Defense
Headline: Establishes Order of Succession for Department of Defense Leadership
What it does: Department of Defense officials must follow the listed order to act as Secretary of Defense when the Secretary is unavailable.
- Creates a clear temporary leadership order for the Defense Department.
- Bars officials serving only in acting roles from becoming Acting Secretary.
- Revokes the prior 1991 succession order and replaces previous rules.
Summary
This order establishes the specific line of succession for who may act as the Secretary of Defense if that office becomes vacant or the Secretary cannot perform duties. It lists the Department of Defense positions, in order, that will serve as Acting Secretary for death, permanent disability, resignation, temporary absence, or temporary disability, and excludes officials who hold only acting positions.
The order makes succession temporary, allows the Secretary to set precedence for tied appointment dates, and revokes the prior 1991 succession order.
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