The Evolution of United States Code, Title 10: The Ongoing Marginalization of the Service Chiefs

Abstract

The military departments' resource allocation authority is being marginalized by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), who is consolidating his resource allocation authority at the expense of the Service Chiefs. Since the National Security Act of 1947 created the National Military Establishment, there has been a near continuous string of defense reforms seeking to bring efficiency to the Department of Defense (DoD). Between 1947 and 1986 these United States Code (U.S.C.) Title 10 reforms have followed a logical pattern in which greater efficiency has been brought to the strategic and operational processes within the DoD. As greater efficiency has been legislated within the DoD, the CJCS has been one of the foremost beneficiaries of the resulting increase in DoD centralization. Whether as an act of commission or as an unintended consequence, the Chairman's rise has precipitated a commensurate loss in the power and authority of the military Service Chiefs. The Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 was a landmark event among the litany of defense reforms. It effectively completed strategic and operational reform in this century and opened a new chapter in resource allocation reform. Empowered by Goldwater-Nichols, the Chairman is now consolidating his resource allocation authority by implementing procedural changes that will complete his ascendency to power. The CJCS is currently engaged in a campaign to consolidate his resource allocation authority by leveraging the powers granted to him under Goldwater-Nichols. With the support of the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman is implementing Departmental policy changes that will increasingly allow him to exert control over a larger portion of the Department's Total Obligation Authority without the benefit of U.S.C. Title 10 resource allocation authority.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA529064

Entities

People

  • John D. Gamboa

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Business Administration
  • Congress
  • Defense Planning
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • House Of Representatives
  • Law
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Acquisition
  • Military Budgets
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Economics
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.