United States Department of The Army - Organizational Structure

Organizational Structure

The Department of the Army is a Military Department within the United States Department of Defense. The Department is headed by the Secretary of the Army, who by statute must be a civilian, appointed by the President with the confirmation by the United States Senate. The Secretary of the Army is responsible for, and has the authority to conduct all the affairs of the Department of the Army, subject to the authority, direction and control of the Secretary of Defense. The Department of the Army is divided between its Headquarters at the Seat of Government and the field organizations of the Army.

By direction of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army assigns Army forces, apart from those units performing duties enumerated in 10 U.S.C. § 3013 (i.e. organize, train & equip) or unless otherwise directed, to the operational command of the Commanders of the Combatant Commands. Only the Secretary of Defense (and the President) has the authority to approve transfer of forces to and from Combatant Commands. 10 U.S.C. § 162.