Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is a high level civilian official in the United States Department of Defense. The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is the principal staff assistant and adviser to both the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Defense for all matters concerning the formation of national security and defense policy. The position is considered the number three office in the Department of Defense, after the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense.

It was created by Carter Defense Secretary Harold Brown in 1977. The current Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is Michèle Flournoy, who was appointed by President Barack Obama in February 2009.

Overview

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is the principal staff element of the Secretary of Defense in the exercise of policy development, planning, resource management, fiscal, and program evaluation responsibilities.

Reporting Agencies

Departments reporting to the USD-Policy include:

• Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
• Defense Security Cooperation Agency
• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs
• Defense Technology Security Agency
• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs
• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict & Interdependent Capabilities
• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs
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