(a)
(1) There is a Secretary of the Army, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Secretary shall, to the greatest extent practicable, be appointed from among persons most highly qualified for the position by reason of background and experience, including persons with appropriate management or leadership experience. The Secretary is the head of the Department of the Army.
(2) A person may not be appointed as Secretary of the Army within seven years after relief from active duty as a commissioned officer of a regular component of an armed force.
(b) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense and subject to the provisions of chapter 6 of this title, the Secretary of the Army is responsible for, and has the authority necessary to conduct, all affairs of the Department of the Army, including the following functions:
(1) Recruiting.
(2) Organizing.
(3) Supplying.
(4) Equipping (including research and development).
(5) Training.
(6) Servicing.
(7) Mobilizing.
(8) Demobilizing.
(9) Administering (including the morale and welfare of personnel).
(10) Maintaining.
(11) The construction, outfitting, and repair of military equipment.
(12) The construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings, structures, and utilities and the acquisition of real property and interests in real property necessary to carry out the responsibilities specified in this section.
(c) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army is also responsible to the Secretary of Defense for—
(1) the functioning and efficiency of the Department of the Army;
(2) the formulation of policies and programs by the Department of the Army that are fully consistent with national security objectives and policies established by the President or the Secretary of Defense;
(3) the effective and timely implementation of policy, program, and budget decisions and instructions of the President or the Secretary of Defense relating to the functions of the Department of the Army;
(4) carrying out the functions of the Department of the Army so as to fulfill the current and future operational requirements of the unified and specified combatant commands;
(5) effective cooperation and coordination between the Department of the Army and the other military departments and agencies of the Department of Defense to provide for more effective, efficient, and economical administration and to eliminate duplication;
(6) the presentation and justification of the positions of the Department of the Army on the plans, programs, and policies of the Department of Defense; and
(7) the effective supervision and control of the intelligence activities of the Department of the Army.
(d) The Secretary of the Army is also responsible for such other activities as may be prescribed by law or by the President or Secretary of Defense.
(e) After first informing the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army may make such recommendations to Congress relating to the Department of Defense as he considers appropriate.
(f) The Secretary of the Army may assign such of his functions, powers, and duties as he considers appropriate to the Under Secretary of the Army and to the Assistant Secretaries of the Army. Officers of the Army shall, as directed by the Secretary, report on any matter to the Secretary, the Under Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary.
(g) The Secretary of the Army may—
(1) assign, detail, and prescribe the duties of members of the Army and civilian personnel of the Department of the Army;
(2) change the title of any officer or activity of the Department of the Army not prescribed by law; and
(3) prescribe regulations to carry out his functions, powers, and duties under this title.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 117–81 substituted "seven" for "five".
2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 3013 of this title as this section.
2016—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–328 inserted "The Secretary shall, to the greatest extent practicable, be appointed from among persons most highly qualified for the position by reason of background and experience, including persons with appropriate management or leadership experience." after first sentence.
2003—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 108–136 struck out "(to the maximum extent practicable)" after "fulfill".
1986—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 99–661 substituted "five years" for "10 years".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable with respect to appointments made on or after Dec. 27, 2021, see section 901(g) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out as a note under section 113 of this title.
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
Centralized Security Monitoring Program for Facilities of the Army
Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title I, §111, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1801, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) serve as the primary hubs for the continuous monitoring of installation security across all installations of the Department of the Army in the United States;
"(B) represent a mix of large and extra-large facilities, as defined by the 2016 business case analysis conducted by the Provost Marshal General of the Army; and
"(C) be chosen based on geographical diversity and their strategic importance to the Army's overall security infrastructure.
"(3)
"(A) initial capital expenditure for system implementation;
"(B) the cost of networking all installations and facilities across the Department of the Army within the United States;
"(C) estimated operation and maintenance costs;
"(D) a detailed funding schedule with expenditures projected across the period covered by the most recent future-years defense program submitted to Congress under section 221 of title 10, United States Code (as of the date of the plan); and
"(E) identification of potential cost-saving opportunities from the consolidation of current security monitoring systems.
"(4)
"(A) the financial impact relative to existing Army security infrastructure budgets;
"(B) cost-benefit analysis of upgrading existing systems versus implementing new technologies at each selected location; and
"(C) identification of technological challenges or barriers to implementing modern monitoring solutions.
"(5)
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
Strategy for Army Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Program
Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title I, §112, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 166, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) align with the applicable national defense strategy under section 113(g) of title 10, United States Code, and applicable policies;
"(2) be designed so that the force of tactical wheeled vehicles provided under the strategy supports the national security strategy of the United States as set forth in the most recent national security strategy report of the President under section 108 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3043); and
"(3) define capabilities and capacity requirements across the entire fleet of tactical wheeled vehicles, including—
"(A) light, medium, and heavy tactical wheeled vehicles; and
"(B) associated trailer and support equipment.
"(c)
"(1) A detailed program for the construction of light, medium, and heavy tactical wheeled vehicles for the Army over the period of five fiscal years following the date of the strategy.
"(2) A description of the necessary force structure and capabilities of tactical wheeled vehicles to meet the requirements of the national security strategy described in subsection (b)(2).
"(3) The estimated levels of annual funding, by vehicle class, in both graphical and tabular form, necessary to carry out the program described in paragraph (1), together with a discussion of the procurement strategies on which such estimated levels of annual funding are based.
"(4) The estimated total cost of construction for each vehicle class used to determine the estimated levels of annual funding described in paragraph (3).
"(d)
"(1) Objectives relating to protection, fleet operations, mission command, mobility, and the industrial base.
"(2) Technological advances that are expected to increase efficiency of and reduce demand for tactical wheeled vehicles.
"(3) Technological advances that allow for the operation of tactical wheeled vehicles in a variety of climate and geographic conditions.
"(4) Existing commercial technologies such as vehicle electrification, autonomous capabilities, and predictive maintenance, among others.
"(5) The capabilities of autonomous equivalents to tactical wheeled vehicles.
"(e)
Increased Fitness Standards for Army Close Combat Force Military Occupational Specialties
Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, §577, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 278, provided that:
"(a)
"(1) 11A.
"(2) 11B.
"(3) 11C.
"(4) 11Z.
"(5) 12A.
"(6) 12B.
"(7) 13A.
"(8) 13F.
"(9) 18A.
"(10) 18B.
"(11) 18C.
"(12) 18D.
"(13) 18E.
"(14) 18F.
"(15) 18Z.
"(16) 19A.
"(17) 19C.
"(18) 19D.
"(19) 19K.
"(20) 19Z.
"(b)
Pilot Programs for Tactical Vehicle Safety Data Collection
Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title III, §389, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2547, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(1) select not fewer than one military installation in the United States under the jurisdiction of the Secretary that contains the necessary forces, equipment, and maneuver training ranges to collect data on drivers and military tactical vehicles during training and routine operation at which to carry out the pilot program;
"(2) install data recorders on a sufficient number of each type of military tactical vehicle specified in subsection (d) to gain statistically significant results;
"(3) select a data recorder capable of collecting and exporting telemetry data, event data, and driver identification data during operation and accidents;
"(4) establish and maintain a data repository for operation and event data captured by the data recorder; and
"(5) establish processes to leverage operation and event data to improve individual vehicle operator performance, identify installation hazards that threaten safe vehicle operation, and identify vehicle-type specific operating conditions that increase the risk of accidents or mishaps.
"(d)
"(1) High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles.
"(2) Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.
"(3) Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements.
"(4) Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks.
"(5) Light Armored Vehicles.
"(6) Stryker armored combat vehicles.
"(7) Such other military tactical vehicles as the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Navy considers appropriate.
"(e)
"(f)
"(1) develop plans for implementing the pilot programs under this section; and
"(2) provide to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives] a briefing on those plans and the estimated cost of implementing those plans.
"(g)
"(1) insights and findings regarding the utility of using data recorders to monitor, assess, and improve readiness and the safe operation of military tactical vehicles;
"(2) adjustments made, or to be made, to the implementation plans developed under subsection (f); and
"(3) any other matters determined appropriate by the Secretaries.
"(h)
"(1) insights and findings regarding the utility of using data recorders to monitor, assess, and improve readiness and the safe operation of military tactical vehicles;
"(2) an assessment of the utility of establishing an enduring program to use data recorders to monitor, assess, and improve readiness and the safe operation of military tactical vehicles;
"(3) an assessment of the scope, size, and estimated cost of such an enduring program; and
"(4) such other matters as the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Navy determine appropriate."
Gender-Neutral Fitness Physical Readiness Standards for Military Occupational Specialties of the Army
Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title V, §528, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2572, provided that: "Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022], the Secretary of the Army shall—
"(1) establish gender-neutral physical readiness standards that ensure soldiers can perform the duties of their respective military occupational specialties; and
"(2) provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a briefing describing the methodology used to determine the standards established under paragraph (1)."
Access to Tour of Duty System
Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title V, §513, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1683, provided that:
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(b)
Pilot Program on Use of Retired Senior Enlisted Members of the Army National Guard as Army National Guard Recruiters
Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title V, §514, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1378, as amended by Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title V, §520, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1754, provided for a pilot program for the Army National Guard under which retired senior enlisted members of the Army National Guard would serve as contract recruiters for the Army National Guard, with all activities under such a pilot program to terminate no later than Dec. 31, 2021.
Restructuring of the Distributed Common Ground System of the Army
Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title II, §220(a), (b), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2055, provided that:
"(a)
"(1) by discontinuing development of new software code, excluding the configuration and testing of system interfaces to commercial, open source, and existing Government off the shelf (GOTS) software, of any component of the system for which there is commercial, open source, or Government off the shelf software that is capable of fulfilling at least 80 percent of the system requirements applicable to such component; and
"(2) by conducting a review of the acquisition strategy of the program to ensure that procurement of commercial software is the preferred method of meeting program requirements for major system components.
"(b)
Consolidation of Army Marketing and Pilot Program on Consolidated Army Recruiting
Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title V, §527, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2117, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(i) An analysis of the effects that consolidated recruiting efforts has [sic] on the overall ability of recruiters to attract and place qualified candidates.
"(ii) A determination of the extent to which consolidating recruiting efforts affects efficiency and recruiting costs.
"(iii) An analysis of any challenges associated with a recruiter working to recruit individuals to enlist in a component in which the recruiter has not served.
"(iv) An analysis of the satisfaction of recruiters and the component recruiting commands with the pilot program.
"(3)
Global Cultural Knowledge Network
Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title X, §1087, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2425, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) Provide socio-cultural analysis support to any unit deployed, or preparing to deploy, to an exercise or operation in the assigned region of responsibility of the unit being supported.
"(2) Make recommendations or support policy or doctrine development to increase the social science expertise of military and civilian personnel of the Department of the Army.
"(3) Provide reimbursable support to other military departments or Federal agencies if requested through an operational needs request process.
"(c)
"(1) A center in the continental United States (referred to in this section as a 'reach-back center') to support requests for information, research, and analysis.
"(2) Outreach to academic institutions and other Federal agencies involved in social science research to increase the network of resources for the reach-back center.
"(3) Training with operational units during annual training exercises or during pre-deployment training.
"(4) The training, contracting, and human resources capacity to rapidly respond to contingencies in which social science expertise is requested by operational commanders through an operational needs request process.
"(d)
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) notice of the waiver; and
"(B) a certification that there is a compelling national security interest for the deployment or there will be a benefit to the safety and welfare of members of the Armed Forces from the deployment.
"(3)
"(A) The operational unit, or units, requesting support, including the location or locations where the social scientists are to be deployed.
"(B) The number of Global Cultural Knowledge Network personnel to be deployed and the anticipated duration of such deployments.
"(C) The anticipated resource needs for such deployment."
Pilot Program for the Human Terrain System
Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, §1075, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3519, authorized the Secretary of the Army to carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary utilized Human Terrain System assets in the United States Pacific Command (now United States Indo-Pacific Command) area of responsibility to support phase 0 shaping operations and the theater security cooperation plans of the Commander of the United States Pacific Command and required initial and final reports to the congressional defense committees, with such authority terminating on Sept. 30, 2016.
Expansion of First Sergeants Barracks Initiative
Pub. L. 111–84, div. B, title XXVIII, §2807, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2663, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
Selection of Military Installations To Serve as Locations of Brigade Combat Teams
Pub. L. 111–84, div. B, title XXVIII, §2825, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2668, provided that: "In selecting the military installations at which brigade combat teams will be stationed, the Secretary of the Army shall take into consideration the availability and proximity of training spaces for the units and the capacity of the installations to support the units."
Army Training Strategy for Brigade-Based Combat Teams and Functional Supporting Brigades
Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title III, §353, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3203, provided that:
"(a)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) A statement of the purpose of training for brigade-based combat teams and functional supporting brigades.
"(B) Performance goals for both active-component and reserve-component brigade-based combat teams and functional supporting brigades, including goals for live, virtual, and constructive training.
"(C) Metrics to quantify training performance against the performance goals specified under subparagraph (B).
"(D) A process to report the status of collective training to Army leadership for monitoring the training performance of brigade-based combat teams and functional supporting brigades.
"(E) A model to quantify, and to forecast, operation and maintenance funding required for each fiscal year to attain the performance goals specified under subparagraph (B).
"(3)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) A discussion of the training strategy developed under subsection (a), including a description of the performance goals and metrics developed under that subsection.
"(B) A discussion and description of the training ranges and other essential elements required to support the training strategy.
"(C) A list of the funding requirements, shown by fiscal year and set forth in a format consistent with the future-years defense program to accompany the budget of the President under section 221 of title 10, United States Code, necessary to meet the requirements of the training ranges and other essential elements described under subparagraph (B).
"(D) A schedule for the implementation of the training strategy.
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
Army Transformation to Brigade Structure
Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title V, §595(c), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1937, provided that: "The Secretary of the Army shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives an annual report on the status of the internal transformation of the Army from a division-orientated force to a brigade-orientated force. Such report shall be submitted not later than March 31 of each year, except that the requirement to submit such annual report shall terminate when the Secretary of the Army submits to those committees the Secretary's certification that the transformation of the Army to a brigade-orientated force has been completed. Upon the submission of such certification, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register notice of that certification and that the statutory requirement to submit an annual report under this subsection has terminated."
Demonstration Project for Use of Army Installations To Provide Prerelease Employment Training to Nonviolent Offenders in State Penal Systems
Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title X, §1065, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2849, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
"(d)
"(e)
"(A) be liable for any loss or damage to Federal Government property that may result from, or in connection with, the provision of prerelease employment training by the organization under the demonstration project; and
"(B) hold harmless and indemnify the United States from and against any suit, claim, demand, action, or liability arising out of any claim for personal injury or property damage that may result from or in connection with the demonstration project.
"(2) The Secretary may not enter into an agreement under subsection (b) with the State concerned for the provision of prerelease employment training directly by the Secretary unless the agreement with the State concerned includes provisions that the State shall—
"(A) be liable for any loss or damage to Federal Government property that may result from, or in connection with, the provision of the training except to the extent that the loss or damage results from a wrongful act or omission of Federal Government personnel; and
"(B) hold harmless and indemnify the United States from and against any suit, claim, demand, action, or liability arising out of any claim for personal injury or property damage that may result from, or in connection with, the provision of the training except to the extent that the personal injury or property damage results from a wrongful act or omission of Federal Government personnel.
"(f)
Executive Documents
Order of Succession
For order of succession in event of death, permanent disability, or resignation of Secretary of the Army, see Ex. Ord. No. 12908, Apr. 22, 1994, 59 F.R. 21907, listed in a table under section 3345 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.