Which individuals compose the top-level membership of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?

Which individuals compose the top-level membership of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?

• A. The Chairman; Vice Chairman; Chief of Staff of the Army; Chief of Naval Operations; Chief of Staff of the USAF; Chief of Space Operations; Commandant of the Marine Corps; and Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
• B. The President; the Secretary of Defense; and the National Security Advisor.
• C. The four service secretaries.
• D. The Chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force only.

Answer: (A)

The top-level membership of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is made up of seven senior uniformed leaders: the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Chief of Space Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. These officers form the most senior military advisory group to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council. The President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Advisor are civilian policymakers and are not members of the Joint Chiefs. The four service secretaries are also civilian leaders and do not sit on the Joint Chiefs as members. The combination of these seven officers ensures all major service components and the National Guard are represented in the top-level military advice.

The top-level membership of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is made up of seven senior uniformed leaders: the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Chief of Space Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. These officers form the most senior military advisory group to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council. The President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Advisor are civilian policymakers and are not members of the Joint Chiefs. The four service secretaries are also civilian leaders and do not sit on the Joint Chiefs as members. The combination of these seven officers ensures all major service components and the National Guard are represented in the top-level military advice.