Which statement best describes the Roles of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS)?

Which statement best describes the Roles of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS)?

• A. The Chairman is the principal military advisor to the President, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense
• B. The Chairman commands all forces in theater
• C. The Chairman drafts arms control treaties
• D. The Chairman leads the Department of Defense as Secretary

Answer: (D)

The main responsibility of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is to serve as the principal military adviser to the President, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. This role centers on providing strategic military guidance, coordinating input from the four service branches, and helping translate national policy into viable military options. The Chairman does not command all forces in theater; operational command rests with Combatant Commanders under the Secretary of Defense and the President. The Chairman also does not draft arms control treaties—the State Department handles treaty negotiation in coordination with defense and other agencies. And the Department of Defense is led by the Secretary of Defense, a civilian, with the Chairman serving as the senior uniformed advisor rather than the department head.

The main responsibility of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is to serve as the principal military adviser to the President, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. This role centers on providing strategic military guidance, coordinating input from the four service branches, and helping translate national policy into viable military options. The Chairman does not command all forces in theater; operational command rests with Combatant Commanders under the Secretary of Defense and the President. The Chairman also does not draft arms control treaties—the State Department handles treaty negotiation in coordination with defense and other agencies. And the Department of Defense is led by the Secretary of Defense, a civilian, with the Chairman serving as the senior uniformed advisor rather than the department head.