What Does the US Defense Secretary Actually Do?

The U.S. spends nearly 13% of its annual budget on defense. But what does the Secretary of Defense actually do? The U.S. Defense Secretary is the civilian leader positioned between the military and the president. They are personally responsible for the 2.9 million people who either work in the military or in the Department of Defense. Generally, they coordinate defense policy, spending, and operations, including managing around 500 military bases across America They are also responsible for managing nearly $1 trillion in federal funds and recommending strategic priorities to Congress to determine the budget of each military branch. The defense secretary does not directly control the nation's military forces, but sits on the chain of command in which operational authority flows. However, the defense secretary makes recommendations to the president when force can or should be used and is considered a trusted political advisor.