Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces

Military of the United States

The United States Armed Forces are the overall unified armed forces of the United States. The United States military was first formed by the second Second Continental Congress to defend the new nation against the British Empire in the American Revolutionary War....
, and the principal military adviser to the President of the United States

President of the United States

The President of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in the United States by influence and recognition....
. The Chairman outranks all respective heads of each service branch but does not have operational command authority over them or their service branches .

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The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces

Military of the United States

President of the United States

Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a group of military leaders in the United States armed forces who advise the civilian government of the United States....
(JCS), comprising the Chairman, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the second highest ranking military officer in the Military of the United States ranking just below the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff....
, the Chiefs of Staff of the United States Army

Chief of Staff of the United States Army

File:USChiefofStaffArmy.PNGThe Chief of Staff of the United States Army is the highest ranking officer in the United States Army and is member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ....
and United States Air Force

Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force is the senior uniformed officer in United States Air Force and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ....
, the Chief of Naval Operations

Chief of Naval Operations

The Chief of Naval Operations is the highest ranking officer in the United States Navy and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The CNO reports directly to the United States Secretary of the Navy for the command, utilization of resources and operating efficiency of the operating forces of the Navy and of the Navy shore activities as...
, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps

Commandant of the Marine Corps

File:FlagCMC.PNGThe Commandant of the Marine Corps is the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff....
. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have offices in The Pentagon

The Pentagon

The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia, Virginia. As a symbol of the Military of the United States, "the Pentagon" is often used Metonymy to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself....
.

Although the office of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is considered very important and highly prestigious, neither the Chairman nor the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a body have any command authority over combatant forces. The chain of command runs from the President to the Secretary of Defense directly to the commanders of the Unified Combatant Command

Unified Combatant Command

A Unified Combatant Command is a United States joint military Command composed of forces from two or more services, has a broad and continuing mission, and is organized either on a geographical basis or on a functional basis....
s. However the chiefs do have authority over personnel assignments and oversight over resources and personnel allocated to the combatant commands within their respective services. The Chairman may also transmit communications to the combatant commanders from the President and Secretary of Defense as well as allocate additional funding to the combatant commanders if necessary. He also performs all other functions prescribed under or allocates those duties and responsibilities to other officers in the joint staff under his name.

Since 2005, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff has been advised on enlisted personnel matters by the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman

Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman

Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman is a military position within the United States Department of Defense and is the most senior Non-commissioned officer overall in the United States Military of the United States....
who serves as a communication conduit between the Chairman and the senior enlisted advisors (sergeants major

Sergeant Major

A Sergeant Major is a rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth of Nations countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers....
, command master chief petty officers

Command Master Chief Petty Officer

A Command Master Chief Petty Officer is one of the most senior Enlisted rank members in a United States Navy command structure. Being the primary liaison between the officers and enlisted, they are a major resource for the commanding officer, and often are called upon to gauge morale and battle readiness....
, and command chief master sergeants) of the combatant commands.

Fleet Admiral

Fleet Admiral (U.S.)

Fleet Admiral of the United States Navy , or more commonly referred to as Fleet Admiral, is a 5 star rank flag officer rank and is presently considered the highest possible rank in the United States Navy....
William D. Leahy

William D. Leahy

Fleet Admiral William Daniel Leahy was an United States naval officer, Governor of Puerto Rico and Ambassador to France.Leahy served as Chief of Staff to Presidents Franklin D....
, USN

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....
, served as Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy (July 20, 1942–March 21 1949). Leahy's office was the precursor to the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Chairman is nominated by the President for appointment and must be confirmed via majority vote by the Senate

United States Senate

The United States Senate is the upper house of the Bicameralism United States Congress, the lower house being the United States House of Representatives....
. By statute, the Chairman is appointed as a four-star general

General (United States)

In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a 4 star rank general officer rank, with the U.S....
or admiral

Admiral (United States)

In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, admiral is a 4 star rank flag officer rank, with the U.S....
.

Chief of Staff to the CINC
Cinc

Cinc is Serbian band that ?orde Ilic and Luka Stanisavljevic formed in 2001. Before that hey were performing for several years under the name Cudan ?imijev Bend....

	Name	Photo	Branch	Term began	Term ended
1.	FADM William D. Leahy William D. Leahy Fleet Admiral William Daniel Leahy was an United States naval officer, Governor of Puerto Rico and Ambassador to France.Leahy served as Chief of Staff to Presidents Franklin D....		USN United States Navy The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....	July 20, 1942	March 21 1949

Chairmen of the JCS

	Name	Branch	Term began	Term ended	Appointed By
1.	General of the Army General of the Army (United States) General of the Army is a 5 star rank general officer and is presently considered the highest possible rank in the United States Army. A special grade of General of the Armies, which ranks above General of the Army, does exist but has only been confirmed twice in the history of the Army.... Omar Bradley Omar Bradley Omar Nelson Bradley Knight Commander of the Bath was one of the main United States Army field commanders in North Africa and Europe during World War II and a General of the Army in the United States Army....	USA United States Army The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....	August 19, 1949	August 15 1953	President Harry Truman
2.	ADM Arthur W. Radford Arthur W. Radford Arthur William Radford was a United States Navy Admiral , Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Command and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff....	USN United States Navy The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....	August 15 1953	August 15 1957	President Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David ?Ike? Eisenhower was the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a General of the Army in the United States Army....
3.	Gen Nathan F. Twining	USAF United States Air Force The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Military of the United States and one of the uniformed services of the United States....	August 15 1957	September 30, 1960	President Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David ?Ike? Eisenhower was the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a General of the Army in the United States Army....
4.	GEN Lyman Lemnitzer Lyman Lemnitzer Lyman Louis Lemnitzer was an United States United States Army General officer, who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1960 to 1962....	USA United States Army The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....	October 1, 1960	September 30, 1962	President Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David ?Ike? Eisenhower was the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a General of the Army in the United States Army....
5.	GEN Maxwell D. Taylor Maxwell D. Taylor General Maxwell Davenport Taylor was an United States soldier and diplomat of the mid-20th century.Taylor was born in Keytesville, Missouri and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1922....	USA United States Army The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....	October 1, 1962	July 1, 1964	President John F. Kennedy John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States, serving from 1961 until John F....
6.	GEN Earle Wheeler Earle Wheeler Earle Gilmore "Bus" Wheeler, was a United States Army General who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army and then as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , holding the latter position during the Vietnam War....	USA United States Army The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....	July 3, 1964	July 2, 1970	President Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States and List of Vice Presidents of the United States Vice President of the United States ....
7.	ADM Thomas H. Moorer	USN United States Navy The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....	July 2, 1970	July 1, 1974	President Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States and the only president to resign the office....
8.	Gen George S. Brown	USAF United States Air Force The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Military of the United States and one of the uniformed services of the United States....	July 1, 1974	June 20, 1978	President Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States and the only president to resign the office....
9.	Gen David C. Jones David Charles Jones David Charles Jones is a retired United States Air Force General and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.David C. Jones was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota and raised in Minot, North Dakota, where he graduated from Minot High School....	USAF United States Air Force The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Military of the United States and one of the uniformed services of the United States....	June 21, 1978	June 18, 1982	President Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. served as the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 1977 to 1981 and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize....
10.	GEN John W. Vessey Jr. John William Vessey Jr. John William Vessey, Jr. is a retired United States Army General . He served as the tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from June 18, 1982 to September 30, 1985....	USA United States Army The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....	June 18, 1982	September 30, 1985	President Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States and the 33rd Governor of California . Born in Illinois, Reagan moved to Los Angeles, California in the 1930s, where he was an actor, president of the Screen Actors Guild , and a spokesman for General Electric ....
11.	ADM William J. Crowe, Jr.	USN United States Navy The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....	October 1, 1985	September 30, 1989	President Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States and the 33rd Governor of California . Born in Illinois, Reagan moved to Los Angeles, California in the 1930s, where he was an actor, president of the Screen Actors Guild , and a spokesman for General Electric ....
12.	GEN Colin Powell Colin Powell Colin Luther Powell, Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, Meritorious Service Decoration, is an American statesman and a former four-star General in the United States Army....	USA United States Army The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....	October 1, 1989	September 30, 1993	President George H.W. Bush
(acting)	ADM David E. Jeremiah David E. Jeremiah Admiral David Elmer Jeremiah, USN , is a former United States Navy officer, who served as Vice Chairman and also Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff....	USN United States Navy The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....	October 1, 1993	October 24, 1993	President Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton served as the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He was the fifteenth Democrat elected to that office....
13.	GEN John Shalikashvili	USA United States Army The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....	October 25, 1993	September 30, 1997	President Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton served as the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He was the fifteenth Democrat elected to that office....
14.	GEN Hugh Shelton Hugh Shelton General Henry Hugh Shelton is a retired United States career military officer. He served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001....	USA United States Army The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....	October 1, 1997	September 30, 2001	President Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton served as the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He was the fifteenth Democrat elected to that office....
15.	Gen Richard B. Myers	USAF United States Air Force The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Military of the United States and one of the uniformed services of the United States....	October 1, 2001	September 30, 2005	President George W. Bush George W. Bush George Walker Bush served as the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He was the 46th List of Governors of Texas from 1995 to 2000 before being United States presidential inauguration as President on January 20, 2001....
16.	Gen Peter Pace Peter Pace Peter Pace is a retired, former four-star General in the United States Marine Corps and served as the 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the first United States Marine Corps appointed to the United States' highest-ranking military office....	USMC United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing Military power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to rapidly deliver Marine Air-Ground Task Force....	October 1, 2005	September 30, 2007	President George W. Bush George W. Bush George Walker Bush served as the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He was the 46th List of Governors of Texas from 1995 to 2000 before being United States presidential inauguration as President on January 20, 2001....
17.	ADM Michael Mullen Michael Mullen Admiral Michael Glenn "Mike" Mullen, United States Navy , is the 17th and current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . Mullen previously served as the United States Navy 28th Chief of Naval Operations from July 22, 2005 to September 29, 2007....	USN United States Navy The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....	October 1, 2007	Incumbent	President George W. Bush George W. Bush George Walker Bush served as the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He was the 46th List of Governors of Texas from 1995 to 2000 before being United States presidential inauguration as President on January 20, 2001....