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United States Secretary of Defense

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United States Secretary of Defense
Seal of the department[1]
Flag of the secretary[2]
Incumbent
Pete Hegseth
since January 25, 2025
United States Department of Defense
Office of the Secretary of Defense
StyleMr. Secretary (informal)
The Honorable (formal)
AbbreviationSecDef
Member ofCabinet
National Security Council
Reports toPresident of the United States
SeatThe Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia
AppointerThe President
with Senate advice and consent
Term lengthNo fixed term
Constituting instrument10 U.S.C. § 113
PrecursorSecretary of War
Secretary of the Navy
FormationSeptember 17, 1947 (1947-09-17)
First holderJames Forrestal
SuccessionSixth[3]
DeputyDeputy Secretary of Defense
SalaryExecutive Schedule, level I[4]
Websitedefense.gov

The United States secretary of defense (SecDef) is the head of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), the executive department of the U.S. Armed Forces.[5][6][7]

The position was established in 1947 with the National Security Act, which aimed to unify and coordinate the various branches of the military under a single executive authority. The defense secretary serves as the principal defense policy advisor to the president and is responsible for overseeing the Department of Defense,[8] making decisions on military strategy, personnel, and budgetary issues. The first person to hold this title was James Forrestal.

Subject only to the orders of the president, the secretary of defense is in the chain of command and exercises command and control over all DoD-controlled service branches  – the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force – as well as the Coast Guard when its command and control is transferred to the Department of Defense.[9][10][11][12][13] The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the principal military adviser to the secretary of defense and the president.[14]

Over the decades, the role has changed significantly, especially during major conflicts such as the Korean War,[15] the Vietnam War, [16]and the wars in Iraq[17] and Afghanistan.[18] This role has increasingly emphasized not only military preparedness and operations but also the integration of defense with international relations and national security priorities.

Pete Hegseth is the current secretary of defense. He was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate on January 25, 2025.

List of secretaries of defense

[change | change source]
Parties

  Democratic   Republican   Independent / Unknown

Status
  Denotes an Acting Secretary of Defense
No. Portrait Secretary of Defense Took office Left office Time in office Party State of residence President
serving under		 Ref.
1
James Forrestal
Forrestal, JamesJames Forrestal
(1892–1949)		September 17, 1947March 28, 19491 year, 192 daysDemocraticNew YorkTruman, HarryHarry S. Truman (Democratic)[19]
2
Louis A. Johnson
Johnson, LouisLouis A. Johnson
(1891–1966)		March 28, 1949September 19, 19501 year, 175 daysDemocraticWest VirginiaTruman, HarryHarry S. Truman (Democratic)[20]
3
George C. Marshall
Marshall, GeorgeGeorge C. Marshall
(1880–1959)		September 21, 1950September 12, 1951356 daysIndependentPennsylvaniaTruman, HarryHarry S. Truman (Democratic)[21]
4
Robert A. Lovett
Lovett, RobertRobert A. Lovett
(1895–1986)		September 17, 1951January 20, 19531 year, 125 daysRepublicanNew YorkTruman, HarryHarry S. Truman (Democratic)[22]
5
Charles Erwin Wilson
Wilson, CharlesCharles Erwin Wilson
(1890–1961)		January 28, 1953October 8, 19574 years, 253 daysRepublicanMichiganEisenhower, DwightDwight D. Eisenhower (Republican)[23]
6
Neil H. McElroy
McElroy, NeilNeil H. McElroy
(1904–1972)		October 9, 1957December 1, 19592 years, 53 daysRepublicanOhioEisenhower, DwightDwight D. Eisenhower (Republican)[24]
7
Thomas S. Gates Jr.
Gates, ThomasThomas S. Gates Jr.
(1906–1983)		December 2, 1959January 20, 19611 year, 49 daysRepublicanPennsylvaniaEisenhower, DwightDwight D. Eisenhower (Republican)[25]
8
Robert McNamara
McNamara, RobertRobert McNamara
(1916–2009)		January 21, 1961February 29, 19687 years, 39 daysRepublicanMichiganKennedy, JohnJohn F. Kennedy (Democratic)
Lyndon B. Johnson (Democratic)		[26]
9
Clark Clifford
Clifford, ClarkClark Clifford
(1906–1998)		March 1, 1968January 20, 1969325 daysDemocraticMarylandJohnson, LyndonLyndon B. Johnson (Democratic)[27]
10
Melvin R. Laird
Laird, MelvinMelvin R. Laird
(1922–2016)		January 22, 1969January 29, 19734 years, 7 daysRepublicanWisconsinNixon, RichardRichard Nixon (Republican)[28]
11
Elliot Richardson
Richardson, ElliotElliot Richardson
(1920–1999)		January 30, 1973May 24, 1973114 daysRepublicanMassachusettsNixon, RichardRichard Nixon (Republican)[29]
–
Bill Clements
Clements, BillBill Clements
(1917–2011)
Acting		May 24, 1973July 2, 197339 daysRepublicanTexasNixon, RichardRichard Nixon (Republican)[30]
12
James R. Schlesinger
Schlesinger, JamesJames R. Schlesinger
(1929–2014)		July 2, 1973November 19, 19752 years, 140 daysRepublicanVirginiaNixon, RichardRichard Nixon (Republican)
Gerald Ford (Republican)		[31]
13
Donald Rumsfeld
Rumsfeld, DonaldDonald Rumsfeld
(1932–2021)		November 20, 1975January 20, 19771 year, 61 daysRepublicanIllinoisFord, GeraldGerald Ford (Republican)[32]
14
Harold Brown
Brown, HaroldHarold Brown
(1927–2019)		January 20, 1977January 20, 19814 years, 0 daysDemocraticCaliforniaCarter, JimmyJimmy Carter (Democratic)[33]
15
Caspar Weinberger
Weinberger, CasparCaspar Weinberger
(1917–2006)		January 21, 1981November 23, 19876 years, 306 daysRepublicanCaliforniaReagan, RonaldRonald Reagan (Republican)[34]
16
Frank Carlucci
Carlucci, FrankFrank Carlucci
(1930–2018)		November 23, 1987January 20, 19891 year, 58 daysRepublicanVirginiaReagan, RonaldRonald Reagan (Republican)[35]
–
William Howard Taft IV
Taft, WilliamWilliam Howard Taft IV
(born 1945)
Acting		January 20, 1989March 21, 198960 daysRepublicanOhioBush, GeorgeGeorge H. W. Bush (Republican)[36]
17
Dick Cheney
Cheney, DickDick Cheney
(born 1941)		March 21, 1989January 20, 19933 years, 305 daysRepublicanWyomingBush, GeorgeGeorge H. W. Bush (Republican)[37]
18
Leslie Aspin
Aspin, LesLeslie Aspin
(1938–1995)		January 20, 1993[38][39]February 3, 19941 year, 14 daysDemocraticWisconsinClinton, BillBill Clinton (Democratic)[40]
19
William Perry
Perry, WilliamWilliam Perry
(born 1927)		February 3, 1994January 23, 1997[41] / January 24, 1997[38][42]2 years, 356 daysDemocraticPennsylvaniaClinton, BillBill Clinton (Democratic).
20
William Cohen
Cohen, WilliamWilliam Cohen
(born 1940)		January 24, 1997January 20, 20013 years, 362 daysRepublicanMaineClinton, BillBill Clinton (Democratic)[43]
21
Donald Rumsfeld
Rumsfeld, DonaldDonald Rumsfeld
(1932–2021)		January 20, 2001December 18, 20065 years, 332 days
(7 years, 29 days total)		RepublicanIllinoisBush, George W.George W. Bush (Republican)[44]
22
Robert Gates
Gates, RobertRobert Gates
(born 1943)		December 18, 2006June 30, 2011[45] / July 1, 2011[38]4 years, 194 daysRepublicanTexasBush, George W.George W. Bush (Republican)
Barack Obama (Democratic)		.
23
Leon Panetta
Panetta, LeonLeon Panetta
(born 1938)		July 1, 2011February 26, 20131 year, 240 daysDemocraticCaliforniaObama, BarackBarack Obama (Democratic)[46]
24
Chuck Hagel
Hagel, ChuckChuck Hagel
(born 1946)		February 27, 2013February 17, 20151 year, 355 daysRepublicanNebraskaObama, BarackBarack Obama (Democratic)[47]
25
Ash Carter
Carter, AshAsh Carter
(1954–2022)		February 17, 2015January 20, 20171 year, 338 daysDemocraticMassachusettsObama, BarackBarack Obama (Democratic)[48][38]
26
Jim Mattis
Mattis, JimJim Mattis
(born 1950)		January 20, 2017January 1, 20191 year, 345 daysIndependentWashingtonTrump, DonaldDonald Trump (Republican)[49]
–
Patrick M. Shanahan
Shanahan, PatrickPatrick M. Shanahan
(born 1962)
Acting		January 1, 2019June 23, 2019173 daysIndependentWashingtonTrump, DonaldDonald Trump (Republican)[50]
–
Mark Esper
Esper, MarkMark Esper
(born 1964)
Acting		June 24, 2019July 15, 201921 daysRepublicanVirginiaTrump, DonaldDonald Trump (Republican)[51]
–
Richard V. Spencer
Esper, MarkRichard V. Spencer
(born 1954)
Acting		July 15, 2019July 23, 20198 daysRepublicanWyomingTrump, DonaldDonald Trump (Republican)[52]
27
Mark Esper
Esper, MarkMark Esper
(born 1964)		July 23, 2019November 9, 20201 year, 109 daysRepublicanVirginiaTrump, DonaldDonald Trump (Republican)[51]
–
Christopher C. Miller
Miller, Christopher C.Christopher C. Miller
(born 1965)
Acting		November 9, 2020January 20, 202172 daysRepublicanIowaTrump, DonaldDonald Trump (Republican)[51]
–
David Norquist
Norquist, David L.David Norquist
(born 1966)
Acting		January 20, 2021January 22, 20212 daysRepublicanMassachusettsBiden, JoeJoe Biden (Democratic)[53]
28
Lloyd Austin
Austin, LloydLloyd Austin
(born 1953)		January 22, 2021January 20, 20253 years, 364 daysIndependentGeorgiaBiden, JoeJoe Biden (Democratic)[54]
–
Robert G. Salesses
Salesses, Robert G.Robert G. Salesses
Acting		January 20, 2025January 25, 20256 daysRepublican—Trump, DonaldDonald Trump (Republican)[51]
29
Pete Hegseth
Hegseth, PetePete Hegseth
(born 1980)		January 25, 2025Incumbent52 daysRepublicanTennesseeTrump, DonaldDonald Trump (Republican)[55]

References

[change | change source]
  1. ↑ Trask & Goldberg: p. 177.
  2. ↑ "Positional Colors for the Department of Defense". United States Army Institute of Heraldry. Archived from the original on 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  3. ↑ "3 U.S. Code § 19 – Vacancy in offices of both President and Vice President; officers eligible to act". Archived from the original on December 26, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  4. ↑ 5 U.S.C. § 5312
  5. ↑ 10 U.S.C. § 113.
  6. ↑ DoDD 5100.1: Enclosure 2: a
  7. ↑ 5 U.S.C. § 101.
  8. ↑ "United States Department of Defense", Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2024-03-30, retrieved 2024-10-30
  9. ↑ 10 U.S.C. § 162
  10. ↑ Joint Publication 1: II-9, II-10 & II-11.
  11. ↑ 10 U.S.C. § 3011
  12. ↑ 10 U.S.C. § 5011
  13. ↑ 10 U.S.C. § 8011
  14. ↑ 10 U.S.C. § 152
  15. ↑ "Korean War", Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2024-09-22, retrieved 2024-10-30
  16. ↑ "Vietnam War", Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2024-10-27, retrieved 2024-10-30
  17. ↑ "War in Iraq (2013–2017)", Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2024-09-19, retrieved 2024-10-30
  18. ↑ "War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)", Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2024-09-14, retrieved 2024-10-30
  19. ↑ "James V. Forrestal – Harry S. Truman Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Louis A. Johnson – Harry S. Truman Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on January 4, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  21. ↑ "George C. Marshall – Harry S. Truman Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Robert A. Lovett – Harry S. Truman Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Charles E. Wilson – Dwight D. Eisenhower Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office.
  24. ↑ "Neil H. McElroy – Dwight D. Eisenhower Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Thomas S. Gates, Jr. – Dwight D. Eisenhower Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office.
  26. ↑ "Robert S. McNamara – John F. Kennedy / Lyndon Johnson Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Clark M. Gifford – Lyndon Johnson Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Melvin R. Laird – Richard Nixon Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Elliot L. Richardson – Richard Nixon Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  30. ↑ Cantwell, Gerald T. (1997). Citizen Airmen: A History of the Air Force Reserve 1946–1994. DIANE Publishing. p. 252. ISBN 9781428991620. In June 1973, Representative O. C. Fisher complained to William P. Clements, Jr., acting Secretary of Defense, that the authority, responsibility, and, consequently, effectiveness of the chiefs of the various reserve components seemed to be eroding.
  31. ↑ "James R. Schlesinger – Richard Nixon / Gerald Ford Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Donald H. Rumsfeld – Gerald Ford Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Harold Brown – James Carter Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Caspar W. Weinberger – Ronald Reagan Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Frank C. Carlucci – Ronald Reagan Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  36. ↑ "II. Secretaries of Defense". Washington Headquarters Services – Pentagon Digital Library. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017. (Deputy Secretary of Defense William H. Taft served as acting secretary of defense from 20 January 1989 until 21 March 1989).
  37. ↑ "Richard B. Cheney – George H.W. Bush Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on June 14, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 Department of Defense Key Officials September 1947 – February 2019
  39. ↑ "Les Aspin Serves One Year As Defense Secretary". Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Leslie Aspin – William J. Clinton Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  41. ↑ "William J. Perry – William J. Clinton Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  42. ↑ "II. Secretaries of Defense". Washington Headquarters Services – Pentagon Digital Library. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017. Sworn in as secretary of defense on 3 February 1994 and served until 24 January 1997.
  43. ↑ "William S. Cohen – William J. Clinton Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on September 19, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  44. ↑ "Donald H. Rumsfeld – George W. Bush Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  45. ↑ "Robert M. Gates – George W. Bush / Barack Obama Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  46. ↑ "Leon E. Panetta – Barack Obama Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  47. ↑ "Chuck Hagel – Barack Obama Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  48. ↑ "Ashton B. Carter – Barack Obama Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  49. ↑ "James N. Mattis – Donald Trump Administration". Office of the Secretary of Defense – Historical Office. Archived from the original on February 12, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  50. ↑ "PN583 – Patrick M. Shanahan – Department of Defense". Congress.gov. Library of Congress. July 18, 2017. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 51.3 "Dr. Mark T. Esper – Acting Secretary of Defense". United States Department of Defense. June 24, 2019. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  52. ↑ "Letter from Acting Secretary of Defense Richard V. Spencer to Pentagon". USNI News. July 15, 2019. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  53. ↑ "Trump administration official Norquist sworn in as acting Pentagon chief". The Hill. January 20, 2021. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Senate confirms Lloyd Austin to be first Black defense secretary". cnn.com. January 22, 2021. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  55. ↑ Herb, Jeremy; Britzky, Haley; Liebermann, Oren; Holmes, Kristen; Forrest, Jack (2024-11-13). "Trump picks Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as secretary of defense | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2024-11-13.

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