1. U.S. Code
  2. title 10
  3. subtitle B
  4. part I
  5. chapter 705
  6. § 7033

Collapse to view only § 7033. Chief of Staff

§ 7031. The Army Staff: function; composition
(a) There is in the executive part of the Department of the Army an Army Staff. The function of the Army Staff is to assist the Secretary of the Army in carrying out his responsibilities.
(b) The Army Staff is composed of the following:
(1) The Chief of Staff.
(2) The Vice Chief of Staff.
(3) The Deputy Chiefs of Staff.
(4) The Assistant Chiefs of Staff.
(5) The Chief of Engineers.
(6) The Surgeon General of the Army.
(7) The Judge Advocate General of the Army.
(8) The Chief of Chaplains of the Army.
(9) The Chief of Army Reserve.
(10) Other members of the Army assigned or detailed to the Army Staff.
(11) Civilian employees of the Department of the Army assigned or detailed to the Army Staff.
(c) Except as otherwise specifically prescribed by law, the Army Staff shall be organized in such manner, and its members shall perform such duties and have such titles, as the Secretary may prescribe.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 150, § 3031; Pub. L. 93–547, Dec. 26, 1974, 88 Stat. 1742; Pub. L. 93–608, § 1(6), Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1968; Pub. L. 98–525, title V, § 515, Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2522; Pub. L. 99–433, title V, § 502(a), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1039; renumbered § 7031, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 808(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 7031

§ 7032. The Army Staff: general duties
(a) The Army Staff shall furnish professional assistance to the Secretary, the Under Secretary, and the Assistant Secretaries of the Army and to the Chief of Staff of the Army.
(b) Under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Army, the Army Staff shall—
(1) subject to subsections (c) and (d) of section 7014 of this title, prepare for such employment of the Army, and for such recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping (including those aspects of research and development assigned by the Secretary of the Army), training, servicing, mobilizing, demobilizing, administering, and maintaining of the Army, as will assist in the execution of any power, duty, or function of the Secretary or the Chief of Staff;
(2) investigate and report upon the efficiency of the Army and its preparation to support military operations by combatant commands;
(3) prepare detailed instructions for the execution of approved plans and supervise the execution of those plans and instructions;
(4) as directed by the Secretary or the Chief of Staff, coordinate the action of organizations of the Army; and
(5) perform such other duties, not otherwise assigned by law, as may be prescribed by the Secretary.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 161, § 3032; Pub. L. 85–599, § 4(g), Aug. 6, 1958, 72 Stat. 517; Pub. L. 99–433, title V, § 502(b), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1040; renumbered § 7032 and amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §§ 808(a), 809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838, 1840.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 7032

§ 7033. Chief of Staff
(a)
(1) There is a Chief of Staff of the Army, appointed for a period of four years by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from the general officers of the Army. He serves at the pleasure of the President. In time of war or during a national emergency declared by Congress, he may be reappointed for a term of not more than four years.
(2) The President may appoint an officer as Chief of Staff only if—
(A) the officer has had significant experience in joint duty assignments; and
(B) such experience includes at least one full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment (as defined in section 664(f) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title) as a general officer.
(3) The President may waive paragraph (2) in the case of an officer if the President determines such action is necessary in the national interest.
(b) The Chief of Staff, while so serving, has the grade of general without vacating his permanent grade.
(c) Except as otherwise prescribed by law and subject to section 7013(f) of this title, the Chief of Staff performs his duties under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Army and is directly responsible to the Secretary.
(d) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Army, the Chief of Staff shall—
(1) preside over the Army Staff;
(2) transmit the plans and recommendations of the Army Staff to the Secretary and advise the Secretary with regard to such plans and recommendations;
(3) after approval of the plans or recommendations of the Army Staff by the Secretary, act as the agent of the Secretary in carrying them into effect;
(4) exercise supervision, consistent with the authority assigned to commanders of unified or specified combatant commands under chapter 6 of this title, over such of the members and organizations of the Army as the Secretary determines;
(5) perform the duties prescribed for him by sections 171 and 3104 of this title and other provisions of law; and
(6) perform such other military duties, not otherwise assigned by law, as are assigned to him by the President, the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of the Army.
(e)
(1) The Chief of Staff shall also perform the duties prescribed for him as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under section 151 of this title.
(2) To the extent that such action does not impair the independence of the Chief of Staff in the performance of his duties as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of Staff shall inform the Secretary regarding military advice rendered by members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters affecting the Department of the Army.
(3) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense, the Chief of Staff shall keep the Secretary of the Army fully informed of significant military operations affecting the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 162, § 3034; Pub. L. 85–599, § 4(a), Aug. 6, 1958, 72 Stat. 516; Pub. L. 87–651, title I, § 114, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 513; Pub. L. 90–22, title IV, § 401, June 5, 1967, 81 Stat. 53; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, § 502(2), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2909; Pub. L. 97–22, § 10(b)(4), July 10, 1981, 95 Stat. 137; renumbered § 3033 and amended Pub. L. 99–433, title V, § 502(c), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1040; Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title V, § 519(a)(3), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 1972; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, § 802(d)(4)(A), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 880; renumbered § 7033 and amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §§ 808(a), 809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838, 1840; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1808(d)(3), as added Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(r)(2), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2149; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1847(e)(6)(B), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4257; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(r)(1)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2149.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 7033

§ 7034. Vice Chief of Staff
(a) There is a Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from the general officers of the Army.
(b) The Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, while so serving, has the grade of general without vacating his permanent grade.
(c) The Vice Chief of Staff has such authority and duties with respect to the Department of the Army as the Chief of Staff, with the approval of the Secretary of the Army, may delegate to or prescribe for him. Orders issued by the Vice Chief of Staff in performing such duties have the same effect as those issued by the Chief of Staff.
(d) When there is a vacancy in the office of Chief of Staff or during the absence or disability of the Chief of Staff—
(1) the Vice Chief of Staff shall perform the duties of the Chief of Staff until a successor is appointed or the absence or disability ceases; or
(2) if there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice Chief of Staff or the Vice Chief of Staff is absent or disabled, unless the President directs otherwise, the most senior officer of the Army in the Army Staff who is not absent or disabled and who is not restricted in performance of duty shall perform the duties of the Chief of Staff until a successor to the Chief of Staff or the Vice Chief of Staff is appointed or until the absence or disability of the Chief of Staff or Vice Chief of Staff ceases, whichever occurs first.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 162, § 3035; Pub. L. 85–599, § 6(a), Aug. 6, 1958, 72 Stat. 519; renumbered § 3034 and amended Pub. L. 99–433, title V, § 502(d), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1041; renumbered § 7034, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 808(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 7034

§ 7035. Deputy Chiefs of Staff and Assistant Chiefs of Staff
(a) The Deputy Chiefs of Staff and the Assistant Chiefs of Staff shall be general officers detailed to those positions.
(b) The Secretary of the Army shall prescribe the number of Deputy Chiefs of Staff and Assistant Chiefs of Staff, for a total of not more than eight positions.
(Added Pub. L. 99–433, title V, § 502(e), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1042, § 3035; amended Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title IX, § 902(a), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 272; renumbered § 7035, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 808(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 7035

§ 7036. Chiefs of branches: appointment; duties
(a) There are in the Army the following officers:
(1) Chief of Engineers.
(2) Surgeon General.
(3) Judge Advocate General.
(4) Chief of Chaplains.
(b) Each officer named in subsection (a), except the Judge Advocate General, shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from officers above the grade of major who—
(1) have shown by extensive duty in the branch concerned, or by similar duty, that they are qualified for the appointment; and
(2) have been recommended by a board under subsection (e).
The Surgeon General may be appointed from officers in any corps of the Army Medical Department. The Judge Advocate General shall be appointed as prescribed in section 7037 of this title.
(c) An officer appointed under subsection (b) normally holds office for four years. However, the President may terminate or extend the appointment at any time.
(d) Each officer named in subsection (a) shall perform duties prescribed by the Secretary of the Army and by law.
(e)
(1) Under the supervision of the Secretary, the Chief of Engineers may accept orders to provide services to another department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or to a State or political subdivision of a State. The Chief of Engineers may provide any part of those services by contract. Services may be provided to a State, or to a political subdivision of a State, only if—
(A) the work to be undertaken on behalf of non-Federal interests involves Federal assistance and the head of the department or agency providing Federal assistance for the work does not object to the provision of services by the Chief of Engineers; and
(B) the services are provided on a reimbursable basis.
(2) In this subsection, the term “State” includes the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, territories and possessions of the United States, and Indian tribes.
(f)
(1) The Surgeon General serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army on all health and medical matters of the Army, including strategic planning and policy development relating to such matters.
(2) The Surgeon General serves as the chief medical advisor of the Army to the Director of the Defense Health Agency on matters pertaining to military health readiness requirements and safety of members of the Army.
(3) The Surgeon General, acting under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Army, shall recruit, organize, train, and equip, medical personnel of the Army.
(g) For each office to be filled under subsection (b), the Secretary shall select a board of five general officers, including the incumbent, if any, of the office, and at least two officers, if available, in a grade above major general who have had extensive service in the branch concerned. The Secretary shall give the board a list of the officers to be considered and shall specify the number of officers, not less than three, to be recommended. The list shall include—
(1) the name of each officer of the Regular Army who is appointed in, or assigned to, that branch, and whose regular grade is colonel;
(2) the name of each officer whose regular grade is above colonel, who has shown by extensive duty in that branch, or by similar duty, that he is qualified for the appointment;
(3) to the extent that the Secretary determines advisable, the name of each officer of the Regular Army who is appointed in, or assigned to, that branch, and whose regular grade is lieutenant colonel, in the order in which their names appear on the applicable promotion lists; and
(4) to the extent that the Secretary considers advisable, the name of each regular or reserve officer on active duty in a grade above lieutenant colonel who has shown by extensive duty in that branch, or by similar duty, that he is qualified for the appointment.
From these officers, the board shall recommend by name the number prescribed by the Secretary, and the President may appoint any officer so recommended. If the President declines to appoint any of the recommended officers, or if the officer nominated cannot be appointed because of advice by the Senate, the Secretary shall convene a board to recommend additional officers. An officer who is recommended but not appointed shall be considered not to have been recommended. This does not affect his eligibility for selection and recommendation for the grade of brigadier general or major general under section 3306 or 3307 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 163, § 3036; Pub. L. 89–288, § 1, Oct. 22, 1965, 79 Stat. 1050; Pub. L. 89–718, § 24, Nov. 2, 1966, 80 Stat. 1119; Pub. L. 97–295, § 1(38), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1296; Pub. L. 99–662, title IX, § 922, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4194; Pub. L. 100–26, § 7(a)(10), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 278; Pub. L. 102–580, title II, § 211, Oct. 31, 1992, 106 Stat. 4831; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title V, § 506(a), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 296; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title X, § 1074(a)(18), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2660; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title V, § 502(k), title VII, § 702(b)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2103, 2195; renumbered § 7036 and amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §§ 808(a), 809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838, 1840.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 7036

§ 7037. Judge Advocate General, Deputy Judge Advocate General, and general officers of Judge Advocate General’s Corps: appointment; duties
(a) The President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint the Judge Advocate General, the Deputy Judge Advocate General, and general officers of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, from officers of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, who are recommended by the Secretary of the Army. The term of office of the Judge Advocate General and the Deputy Judge Advocate General is four years.
(b) The Judge Advocate General shall be appointed from those officers who at the time of appointment are members of the bar of a Federal court or the highest court of a State, and who have had at least eight years of experience in legal duties as commissioned officers.
(c) The Judge Advocate General, in addition to other duties prescribed by law—
(1) is the legal adviser of the Secretary of the Army and of all officers and agencies of the Department of the Army;
(2) shall direct the members of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in the performance of their duties; and
(3) shall receive, revise, and have recorded the proceedings of courts of inquiry and military commissions.
(d) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army, in selecting an officer for recommendation to the President under subsection (a) for appointment as the Judge Advocate General or Deputy Judge Advocate General, shall ensure that the officer selected is recommended by a board of officers that, insofar as practicable, is subject to the procedures applicable to selection boards convened under chapter 36 of this title.
(e) No officer or employee of the Department of Defense may interfere with—
(1) the ability of the Judge Advocate General to give independent legal advice to the Secretary of the Army or the Chief of Staff of the Army; or
(2) the ability of judge advocates of the Army assigned or attached to, or performing duty with, military units to give independent legal advice to commanders.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 164, § 3037; Pub. L. 85–861, § 33(a)(18), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1565; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title V, § 504(a), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2750; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title V, § 574(a), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1921; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title V, § 508(a), title X, § 1057(a)(2), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3229, 3440; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title V, § 543(a)(1)–(3)(A), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 114; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title V, § 502(l), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2103; renumbered § 7037, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 808(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 7037

§ 7038. Office of Army Reserve: appointment of Chief
(a) There is in the executive part of the Department of the Army an Office of the Army Reserve which is headed by a chief who is the adviser to the Chief of Staff on Army Reserve matters.
(b)Appointment.—
(1) The President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint the Chief of Army Reserve from general officers of the Army Reserve who have had at least 10 years of commissioned service in the Army Reserve.
(2) The Secretary of Defense may not recommend an officer to the President for appointment as Chief of Army Reserve unless the officer—
(A) is recommended by the Secretary of the Army; and
(B) is determined by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in accordance with criteria and as a result of a process established by the Chairman, to have significant joint duty experience.
(3) An officer on active duty for service as the Chief of Army Reserve shall be counted for purposes of the grade limitations under sections 525 and 526 of this title.
(4) Until December 31, 2006, the Secretary of Defense may waive subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) with respect to the appointment of an officer as Chief of Army Reserve if the Secretary of the Army requests the waiver and, in the judgment of the Secretary of Defense—
(A) the officer is qualified for service in the position; and
(B) the waiver is necessary for the good of the service.
Any such waiver shall be made on a case-by-case basis.
(c)Term; Reappointment.—The Chief of Army Reserve is appointed for a period of four years, but may be removed for cause at any time. An officer serving as Chief of Army Reserve may be reappointed for one additional four-year period.
(d)Budget.—The Chief of Army Reserve is the official within the executive part of the Department of the Army who, subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff, is responsible for justification and execution of the personnel, operation and maintenance, and construction budgets for the Army Reserve. As such, the Chief of Army Reserve is the director and functional manager of appropriations made for the Army Reserve in those areas.
(e)Full Time Support Program.—The Chief of Army Reserve manages, with respect to the Army Reserve, the personnel program of the Department of Defense known as the Full Time Support Program.
(f)Annual Report.—The Chief of Army Reserve shall submit to the Secretary of Defense, through the Secretary of the Army, an annual report on the state of the Army Reserve and the ability of the Army Reserve to meet its missions. The report shall be prepared in conjunction with the Chief of Staff of the Army and may be submitted in classified and unclassified versions.
(Added Pub. L. 90–168, § 2(16), Dec. 1, 1967, 81 Stat. 523, § 3019; renumbered § 3038 and amended Pub. L. 99–433, title V, §§ 501(a)(4), 502(g)(1), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1034, 1042; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, § 1672(c)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3015; Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XII, § 1212(a), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2691; Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, § 554(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title V, § 507(a)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–102; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title V, § 501(a), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2529; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title V, § 536(a), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1901; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title V, § 502(m), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2103; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, § 1051(a)(28), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1562; renumbered § 7038, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 808(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838.)

CITE AS: 10 USC 7038