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1 1 (January 9, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govekdu0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congr ssiona IRtes arch Servtce informingi Lh egsaive deba t 1914 Updated January 9, 2023 Defense Primer: The Military Departments Military Departments The term military department refers to the executive functions of an armed service and the service's activities, installations, and field headquarters, all of which are under the control and direction of the secretary of the department (10 U.S.C. §101(a)(6)). There are three federal military departments and they are within the Department of Defense (DOD): the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force. A military department prepares and provides strategic, conventional, and special operations forces for military operations conducted by DOD (see Figure 1). Figure I. Typical Structure of Military Departments Secretary of the Military Department Office of the Secretary Service Chief or Chiefs Service Staff or Staffs Armed Service or Services Source: CRS analysis of military department statutory authorities. There is an executive headquarters in each military department for administering its activities, personnel, and organizations. The type and number of personnel permitted to work in an executive headquarters are limited by law and differ among the three departments (see Table 1). Table I. Executive Headquarters Personnel Limits Generals/ Other Civilian Total Admirals Officers Employees Department of the Army 67 1,833 1,350 3,250 Department of the Navy 74 1,726 1,350 3,150 Department of the Air Force 60 1,590 1,100 2,750 Source: 10 U.S.C. §§7014(f), 8014(f), 9014(f). Note: Personnel limits do not apply in time of war and may be increased by 15 percent of such limits in time of national emergency. Each military department is led by a civilian secretary whom the President of the United States appoints with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. The authority of a secretary runs from the President through the Secretary of Defense. A secretary of a military department is responsible for training, equipping, and organizing the armed service or services of the department. Principal officials of the department reporting to a secretary include the under secretary, assistant secretaries, and general counsel. These officials also are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Specific areas of responsibility for the assistant secretaries include logistics, manpower, acquisition, and financial management. Armed Services A military department contains at least one armed service. The President appoints a four-star general or admiral in an armed service as its service chief for four years with the advice and consent of the Senate. A service chief reports to the secretary of the department and is responsible for the activities, personnel, and operations of the service. The service chiefs in the military departments also are members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in DOD. Each armed service has a service staff with the principal role of assisting the service chief and the office of the secretary of the department. The secretary of the department determines the duties, titles, and membership of a service staff, unless prescribed by law. Military Law A criminal justice system for servicemembers established under the Uniform Code of Military justice (UCMJ) applies to the military departments. Active duty servicemembers and regular component military retirees are subject to the punitive measures in the UCMJ at all times and in any place. Military law is meant to promote justice, efficiency, and discipline in the armed services. It is exercised primarily in a judicial forum known as a court-martial or an administrative forum known as a non-judicial punishment proceeding. Each armed service usually comprises both active and reserve forces. The Army is composed of the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard of the United States. The Navy is composed of the Regular Navy, Navy Reserve, and Fleet Reserve. The Marine Corps is composed of the Regular Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, and Fleet Marine Corps Reserve. The Air Force is composed of the Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard of the United States. The Space Force contains the Regular Space Force. U.S. Coast Guard The Coast Guard is the only armed service not in a military department, as it operates under the Secretary of Homeland Security; however, during war or by the direction of the President, the Coast Guard operates under the Secretary of the Navy as a naval force. The Coast Guard has a service chief and a service staff, and is composed of the Regular Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, and Coast Guard Auxiliary. Department of the Army The Office of the Secretary of the Army administers the Department of the Army; secretarial authorities are set forth in 10 U.S.C. §7013. The department's armed service is the

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