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Office of the Secretary of Defense

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is responsible for policy development, planning, resource management and program evaluation. OSD includes the offices of top civilian defense decision-makers with regard to personnel, weapons acquisition, research, intelligence and fiscal policy, as well as offices the Secretary establishes to assist in carrying out assigned responsibilities.

OSD Organizational Structure

Common Abbreviations
Robert G. Salesses

Acting Secretary of Defense

EST. 1947

The acting secretary of defense oversees the Defense Department and acts as the principal defense policymaker and adviser.

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Secretary of Defense

EST. 1947

The secretary of defense oversees the Defense Department and acts as the principal defense policymaker and adviser.

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Deputy Secretary of Defense

EST. 1947

Chief Operating Officer

The deputy secretary of defense is in charge of the Defense Department’s day-to-day business. The primary responsibility is managing the defense budget and executing the priorities of the secretary of defense.

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Deputy Secretary of Defense

EST. 1947

Chief Operating Officer

The deputy secretary of defense is in charge of the Defense Department’s day-to-day business. The primary responsibility is managing the defense budget and executing the priorities of the secretary of defense.

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Principal Staff Assistants (PSAs)

USD (Aquisition & Sustainment)

Chief Aquisition & Sustainment Officer/ Def. Acq. Exec.

EST. 1986

USD (Comptroller)

Chief Financial Officer

EST. 1990

USD (Personnel & Readiness)

Chief Human Capital Officer

EST. 1993

USD (Intelligence & Security)

EST. 2002

USD (Policy)

EST. 1977

General Counsel, DOD

EST. 1953

Director, Cost Assessment & Program Evaluation

EST. 1973

Inspector General, DOD

EST. 1982

Director, Operational Test & Evaluation

EST. 1983

Chief Information Officer, DOD

EST. 2002

ASD (Special Operations & Low Intensity Conflict)

EST. 1986

ATSD (Privacy, Civil Liberties, & Transparency) *

EST. 2021

ATSD (Public Affairs) *

EST. 1948

Chief Digital & Artificial Intelligence Officer *

EST. 2022

Director, Defense Innovation Unit *

EST. 2015

Director, Net Assessment *

EST. 1973

Director, Strategic Capabilities Office *

EST. 2012

Performance Improvement Officer & Director of Administration & Management *

EST. 2008/1962

Principal Staff Assistants (PSAs)

Download OSD Organizational Structure