Goldwater-Nichols Reorganization Act of 1986
Abstract
The purpose of the Goldwater-Nichols Reorganization Act of 1986 was to enhance the legal authority of the Chairman, joint Chiefs of Staff and the unified commanders. Its practical purpose was to improve U.S. warfighting capability, particularly in terms of organizational relationships and responsibilities. Implementation has been, at times, controversial in terms of the shifting of power from the Services to the Joint Staff and the CINCs, particularly as interpreted by the Joint Staff. The Act: (1) designated the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) as the principal military adviser to the President; (2) transfers the functions and responsibilities previously assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the CJCS; (3) created the position of Vice Chairman; (4) specified operational chain of command to run from President to Secretary of Defense to unified and specified commanders. (5) in creased focus on the authority of the CINCs, highlighting their responsibilities to organize and command assets in their area of operations; and (6) increased the role of the CINCs in resource allocation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA402575
Entities
Organizations
- Army Medical Department