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10 U.S.C. § 164 — Commanders of combatant commands: assignment; powers and duties
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Assignment as Combatant Commander.—**
(1) The President may assign an officer to serve as the commander of a unified or specified combatant command only if the officer—
(A) has the joint specialty under [section 661 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section661&num=0&edition=prelim); and
(B) has completed a full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment (as defined in [section 664(d) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section664/d&num=0&edition=prelim)) as a general or flag officer.
(2) The President may waive paragraph (1) in the case of an officer if the President determines that such action is necessary in the national interest.
(3)
(A) If the President removes an officer assigned under paragraph (1) to serve as the commander of a unified or specified combatant command or transfers that officer to another position or location before the expected end of the officer’s service as a combatant commander, the President shall, not later than five days after the removal or transfer takes effect, submit to Congress, including the congressional defense committees, notice that the officer is being removed or transferred and a statement of the reason for the removal or transfer.
(B) Nothing in this paragraph prohibits a personnel action authorized by another provision of law.
**(b) Responsibilities of Combatant Commanders.—**
(1) The commander of a combatant command is responsible to the President and to the Secretary of Defense for the performance of missions assigned to that command by the President or by the Secretary with the approval of the President.
(2) Subject to the direction of the President, the commander of a combatant command—
(A) performs his d
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Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-10/section-164-commanders-of-combatant-commands-assignment-powers-and-duties--3ed7b25558.md
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Source location: Title 10, Chapter 6, § 164; chapter-006-combatant-commands.md
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**(a) Assignment as Combatant Commander.—**
(1) The President may assign an officer to serve as the commander of a unified or specified combatant command only if the officer—
(A) has the joint specialty under [section 661 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section661&num=0&edition=prelim); and
(B) has completed a full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment (as defined in [section 664(d) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section664/d&num=0&edition=prelim)) as a general or flag officer.
(2) The President may waive paragraph (1) in the case of an officer if the President determines that such action is necessary in the national interest.
(3)
(A) If the President removes an officer assigned under paragraph (1) to serve as the commander of a unified or specified combatant command or transfers that officer to another position or location before the expected end of the officer’s service as a combatant commander, the President shall, not later than five days after the removal or transfer takes effect, submit to Congress, including the congressional defense committees, notice that the officer is being removed or transferred and a statement of the reason for the removal or transfer.
(B) Nothing in this paragraph prohibits a personnel action authorized by another provision of law.
**(b) Responsibilities of Combatant Commanders.—**
(1) The commander of a combatant command is responsible to the President and to the Secretary of Defense for the performance of missions assigned to that command by the President or by the Secretary with the approval of the President.
(2) Subject to the direction of the President, the commander of a combatant command—
(A) performs his duties under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense; and
(B) is directly responsible to the Secretary for the preparedness of the command to carry out missions assigned to the command.
(3) Among the full range of command responsibilities specified in subsection (c) and as provided for in [section 161 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section161&num=0&edition=prelim), the primary duties of the commander of a combatant command shall be as follows:
(A) To produce plans for the employment of the armed forces to execute national defense strategies and respond to significant military contingencies.
(B) To take actions, as necessary, to deter conflict.
(C) To command United States armed forces as directed by the Secretary and approved by the President.
**(c) Command Authority of Combatant Commanders.—**
(1) Unless otherwise directed by the President or the Secretary of Defense, the authority, direction, and control of the commander of a combatant command with respect to the commands and forces assigned to that command include the command functions of—
(A) giving authoritative direction to subordinate commands and forces necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command, including authoritative direction over all aspects of military operations, joint training, and logistics;
(B) prescribing the chain of command to the commands and forces within the command;
(C) organizing commands and forces within that command as he considers necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command;
(D) employing forces within that command as he considers necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command;
(E) assigning command functions to subordinate commanders;
(F) coordinating and approving those aspects of administration and support (including control of resources and equipment, internal organization, and training) and discipline necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command; and
(G) exercising the authority with respect to selecting subordinate commanders, selecting combatant command staff, suspending subordinates, and convening courts-martial, as provided in subsections (e), (f), and (g) of this section and [section 822(a) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section822/a&num=0&edition=prelim), respectively.
(2)
(A) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that a commander of a combatant command has sufficient authority, direction, and control over the commands and forces assigned to the command to exercise effective command over those commands and forces. In carrying out this subparagraph, the Secretary shall consult with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
(B) The Secretary shall periodically review and, after consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the commander of the combatant command, assign authority to the commander of the combatant command for those aspects of administration and support that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out missions assigned to the command.
(3) If a commander of a combatant command at any time considers his authority, direction, or control with respect to any of the commands or forces assigned to the command to be insufficient to command effectively, the commander shall promptly inform the Secretary of Defense.
**(d) Authority Over Subordinate Commanders.—** Unless otherwise directed by the President or the Secretary of Defense—
(1) commanders of commands and forces assigned to a combatant command are under the authority, direction, and control of, and are responsible to, the commander of the combatant command on all matters for which the commander of the combatant command has been assigned authority under subsection (c);
(2) the commander of a command or force referred to in clause (1) shall communicate with other elements of the Department of Defense on any matter for which the commander of the combatant command has been assigned authority under subsection (c) in accordance with procedures, if any, established by the commander of the combatant command;
(3) other elements of the Department of Defense shall communicate with the commander of a command or force referred to in clause (1) on any matter for which the commander of the combatant command has been assigned authority under subsection (c) in accordance with procedures, if any, established by the commander of the combatant command; and
(4) if directed by the commander of the combatant command, the commander of a command or force referred to in clause (1) shall advise the commander of the combatant command of all communications to and from other elements of the Department of Defense on any matter for which the commander of the combatant command has not been assigned authority under subsection (c).
**(e) Selection of Subordinate Commanders.—**
(1) An officer may be assigned to a position as the commander of a command directly subordinate to the commander of a combatant command or, in the case of such a position that is designated under [section 601 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section601&num=0&edition=prelim) as a position of importance and responsibility, may be recommended to the President for assignment to that position, only—
(A) with the concurrence of the commander of the combatant command; and
(B) in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary of Defense.
(2) The Secretary of Defense may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) for the concurrence of the commander of a combatant command with regard to the assignment (or recommendation for assignment) of a particular officer if the Secretary of Defense determines that such action is in the national interest.
(3) The commander of a combatant command shall—
(A) evaluate the duty performance of each commander of a command directly subordinate to the commander of such combatant command; and
(B) submit the evaluation to the Secretary of the military department concerned and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
(4)
(A) At least one deputy commander of the combatant command the geographic area of responsibility of which includes the United States shall be—
(i) a qualified officer of a reserve component who is eligible for promotion to the grade of lieutenant general or, in the case of the Navy, vice admiral; or
(ii) a qualified officer of the Space Force whose prior service includes service in a space force active status other than sustained duty and who is eligible for promotion to the grade of lieutenant general.
(B) The requirement in subparagraph (A) does not apply when the officer serving as commander of the combatant command described in that subparagraph is (i) a reserve component officer, or (ii) an officer of the Space Force whose prior service includes service in a space force active status other than sustained duty.
**(f) Combatant Command Staff.—**
(1) Each unified and specified combatant command shall have a staff to assist the commander of the command in carrying out his responsibilities. Positions of responsibility on the combatant command staff shall be filled by officers from each of the armed forces having significant forces assigned to the command.
(2) An officer may be assigned to a position on the staff of a combatant command or, in the case of such a position that is designated under [section 601 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section601&num=0&edition=prelim) as a position of importance and responsibility, may be recommended to the President for assignment to that position, only—
(A) with the concurrence of the commander of such command; and
(B) in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary of Defense.
(3) The Secretary of Defense may waive the requirement under paragraph (2) for the concurrence of the commander of a combatant command with regard to the assignment (or recommendation for assignment) of a particular officer to serve on the staff of the combatant command if the Secretary of Defense determines that such action is in the national interest.
**(g) Authority to Suspend Subordinates.—** In accordance with procedures established by the Secretary of Defense, the commander of a combatant command may suspend from duty and recommend the reassignment of any officer assigned to such combatant command.
**(h) Support to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.—** The commander of a combatant command shall provide such information to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as may be necessary for the Chairman to perform the duties of the Chairman under [section 153 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section153&num=0&edition=prelim).
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** The President may designate positions of importance and responsibility to carry the grade of general or admiral or lieutenant general or vice admiral. The President may assign to any such position an officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force who is serving on active duty in any grade above colonel or, in the case of an officer of the Navy, any grade above captain. An officer assigned to any such position has the grade specified for that position if he is appointed to that grade by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Except as provided in subsection (b), the appointment of an officer to a grade under this section for service in a position of importance and responsibility ends on the date of the termination of the assignment of the officer to that position.
**(b)** An officer who is appointed to the grade of general, admiral, lieutenant general, or vice admiral for service in a position designated under subsection (a) or by law to carry that grade shall continue to hold that grade—
(1) while serving in that position;
(2) while under orders transferring him to another position designated under subsection (a) or by law to carry one of those grades, beginning on the day his assignment to the first position is terminated and ending on the day before the day on which he assumes the second position;
(3) while hospitalized, beginning on the day of the hospitalization and ending on the day he is discharged from the hospital, but not for more than 180 days;
(4) at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense, while the officer is awaiting orders after being relieved from the position designated under subsection (a) or by law to carry one of those grades, but not for more than 60 days beginning on the day the officer
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 601
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Establishment.—** The Secretary of Defense shall establish policies, procedures, and practices for the effective management of officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps on the active-duty list, and officers of the Space Force on the Space Force officer list, who are particularly trained in, and oriented toward, joint matters (as defined in [section 668 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section668&num=0&edition=prelim)). Such officers shall be identified or designated (in addition to their principal military occupational specialty) as a joint qualified officer or in such other manner as the Secretary of Defense directs.
**(b) Levels, Designation, and Numbers.—**
(1)
(A) The Secretary of Defense shall establish different levels of joint qualification, as well as the criteria for qualification at each level. Such levels of joint qualification shall be established by the Secretary with the advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Each level shall, as a minimum, have both joint education criteria and joint experience criteria. The purpose of establishing such qualification levels is to ensure a systematic, progressive, career-long development of officers in joint matters and to ensure that officers serving as general and flag officers have the requisite experience and education to be highly proficient in joint matters.
(B) The number of officers who are joint qualified shall be determined by the Secretary of Defense, with the advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Such number shall be large enough to meet the requirements of subsection (d).
(2) Certain officers shall be designated as joint qualified by the Secretary of Defense with the advice of the Chairman of the Joint
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 661
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Unified and Specified Combatant Commands.—** With the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the President, through the Secretary of Defense, shall—
(1) establish unified combatant commands and specified combatant commands to perform military missions; and
(2) prescribe the force structure of those commands.
**(b) Periodic Review.—**
(1) The Chairman periodically (and not less often than every two years) shall—
(A) review the missions, responsibilities (including geographic boundaries), and force structure of each combatant command; and
(B) recommend to the President, through the Secretary of Defense, any changes to such missions, responsibilities, and force structures as may be necessary.
(2) Except during time of hostilities or imminent threat of hostilities, the President shall—
(A) not more than 60 days after establishing a new combatant command—
(i) notify Congress of the establishment of such command; and
(ii) provide to Congress a briefing on the establishment of such command; and
(B) not more than 60 days after significantly revising the missions, responsibilities, or force structure of an existing combatant command—
(i) notify Congress of such revisions; and
(ii) provide to Congress a briefing on such revisions.
**(c) Definitions.—** In this chapter:
(1) The term “unified combatant command” means a military command which has broad, continuing missions and which is composed of forces from two or more military departments.
(2) The term “specified combatant command” means a military command which has broad, continuing missions and which is normally composed of forces from a single military department.
(3) The term “combatant command” means a unified combatant command or a specified combata
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 161
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Planning; Advice; Policy Formulation.—** Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the President and the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall be responsible for the following:
(1) **Strategic direction.—** — Assisting the President and the Secretary in providing for the strategic direction of the armed forces.
(2) **Strategic and contingency planning.—** — In matters relating to strategic and contingency planning—
(A) developing strategic frameworks and preparing strategic plans, as required, to guide the use and employment of military force and related activities across all geographic regions and military functions and domains, and to sustain military efforts over different durations of time, as necessary;
(B) advising the Secretary on the production of the national defense strategy required by [section 113(g) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section113/g&num=0&edition=prelim) and the national security strategy required by section 108 of the National Security Act of 1947 ([50 U.S.C. 3043](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title50-section3043&num=0&edition=prelim));
(C) preparing military analysis, options, and plans, as the Chairman considers appropriate, to recommend to the President and the Secretary;
(D) providing for the preparation and review of contingency plans which conform to policy guidance from the President and the Secretary; and
(E) preparing joint logistic and mobility plans to support national defense strategies and recommending the assignment of responsibilities to the armed forces in accordance with such plans.
(3) **Global military integration.—** — In matters relating to global military strategic and operati
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 153
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Requirement.—** The Secretary of Defense shall acquire and operate space systems to be used primarily for space warfighting and control to meet the requirements specified by one or more combatant commanders in carrying out the responsibilities set forth in [section 164 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section164&num=0&edition=prelim).
**(b) Role of Commercial Space Systems.—** The Secretary may use one or more commercial space systems to augment the space systems acquired and operated under subsection (a) if such commercial space systems are under the direction of a member of the armed forces with responsibility for space warfighting and control operations.
**(c) National Security Waiver.—**
(1) The Secretary may waive the application of subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is in the national security interest of the United States.
(2) Not later than 10 days after exercising the waiver authority under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a notification of the use of such authority that includes—
(A) a description of the national security interest upon which the exercise of such authority is based;
(B) the anticipated vulnerabilities to national security posed by the use of such waiver;
(C) identification of which operational commander will provide direction to the commercial space system that is used pursuant to the waiver instead of a system acquired and operated by the Secretary; and
(D) the anticipated duration of such waiver.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 10 U.S.C. § 2275d
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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Page 238
TITLE 10—ARMED FORCES
§ 163
of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section
3001 of this title.
IMPLEMENTATION OF ASSIGNMENT OF FORCES TO
COMBATANT COMMANDS
Pub. L. 99–433, title II, § 214(a), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat.
1018, provided that section 162(a) of this title shall be
implemented not later than 90 days after Oct. 1, 1986.
§ 163. Role of Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff
(a) COMMUNICATIONS
THROUGH
CHAIRMAN
OF
JCS; ASSIGNMENT
OF DUTIES.—Subject to the
limitations in section 152(c) of this title, the
President may—
(1) direct that communications between the
President or the Secretary of Defense and the
commanders of the unified and specified com-
batant commands be transmitted through the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and
(2) assign duties to the Chairman to assist
the President and the Secretary of Defense in
performing their command function.
(b) OVERSIGHT BY CHAIRMAN OF JOINT CHIEFS
OF STAFF.—(1) The Secretary of Defense may as-
sign to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
responsibility for overseeing the activities of
the combatant commands. Such assignment by
the Secretary to the Chairman does not confer
any command authority on the Chairman and
does not alter the responsibility of the com-
manders of the combatant commands prescribed
in section 164(b)(2) of this title.
(2) Subject to the authority, direction, and
control of the Secretary of Defense, the Chair-
man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serves as the
spokesman for the commanders of the combat-
ant commands, especially on the operational re-
quirements of their commands. In performing
such function, the Chairman shall—
(A) confer with and obtain information from
the commanders of the combatant commands
with respect to the requirements of their c
Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 10 U.S.C. § 164
Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. Same stored citation; legal effect and authority still require review.