Third in the Operational Command's top four?

Third in the Operational Command's top four?

• A. President
• B. SecDef
• C. Combatant Command
• D. CJCS

Answer: (D)

In the U.S. military, the top four in the operational hierarchy are the President as Commander in Chief, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Combatant Commanders. The third position in that order is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He serves as the senior military adviser to the President and the Secretary of Defense and coordinates military advice, but he does not directly command combat forces—that role lies with the Combatant Commanders. So the correct answer is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In the U.S. military, the top four in the operational hierarchy are the President as Commander in Chief, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Combatant Commanders. The third position in that order is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He serves as the senior military adviser to the President and the Secretary of Defense and coordinates military advice, but he does not directly command combat forces—that role lies with the Combatant Commanders. So the correct answer is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.