command here and on the communications between the relevant oversight responsibilities here, to make sure that we can fix the responsibility for any unforeseen consequences, shall we say, that might be experienced by those who are now in the Persian Gulf. Because I think the question that many Americans are going to be concerned about: Their sons and daughters who are there now, are they going to be returning with symptoms and will they be exposed to the same kinds of toxins, and can we be assured that they won't be given toxic drugs?

Mr. SHAYS. And the reason why that question is important is, we want someone to take ownership.

Mr. KUCINICH. Right.

[The information referred to follows:]

Organizational Structure

THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Department of Defense

Secretary of Defense

Deputy Secretary of Defense

Office of the Secretary of Defense

Military Departments

The Joint Chiefs of Staff and Joint Staff

Unified Combatant Commands

The Department of Defense (DoD) (DoD Directive 5100.1) is responsible for providing the military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of the United States. The major elements of these forces are the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Under the President, who is also Commander-in-Chief, the Secretary of Defense exercises authority, direction, and control over the Department which includes the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, three Military Departments, nine Unified Combatant Commands, the DoD Inspector General, fifteen Defense Agencies, and nine DoD Field Activities.

The Secretary of Defense is the principal defense policy advisor to the President and is responsible for the formulation of general defense policy and policy related to all matters of direct and primary concern to the DoD, and for the execution of approved policy. Under the direction of the President, the Secretary exercises authority, direction, and control over the Department of Defense.

The Deputy Secretary of Defense is delegated full power and authority to act for the Secretary of Defense and to exercise the powers of the Secretary on any and all matters for which the Secretary is authorized to act pursuant to law.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is the principal staff element of the Secretary in the exercise of policy development, planning, resource management, fiscal, and program evaluation responsibilities. OSD includes the immediate offices of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Assistant Secretaries of Defense, General Counsel, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, Assistants to the Secretary of Defense, Director of Administration and Management, and such other staff offices as the Secretary establishes to assist in carrying out assigned responsibilities.

The Military Departments (DoD Directive 5100.1) are the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force (the Marine Corps is a part of the Department of the Navy). Each Military Department is separately organized under its own Secretary and functions under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense. The Military Departments are responsible for organizing, training, supplying, and equipping forces for assignment to Unified Combatant Commands. (See Chart.)

The Unified Combatant Commands (DoD Directive 5100.1) are responsible to the President and the Secretary of Defense for accomplishing the military missions assigned to them. Commanders of the Unified Combatant Commands exercise command authority over forces assigned to them as directed by the Secretary of Defense. The operational chain of command runs from the President to the Secretary of Defense to the Commanders of the Unified Combatant Commands. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff functions within the chain of command by transmitting to the Commanders of the Unified Combatant Commands the orders of the President or the Secretary of Defense. Unified Combatant Commands include the European Command, Pacific Command, Atlantic Command, Southern Command, Special Operations Command, Strategic Command, Central Command, Transportation Command, and Space Command. (See Chart.)

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and Joint Staff (DoD Directive 5100.1). The Joint Chiefs of Staff, headed by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, consists of the Chairman; the Vice Chairman, JCS; the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army; the Chief of Naval Operations; the Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force; and the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and supported, subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Chairman, by the Joint Staff, constitute the immediate military staff of the Secretary of Defense. The Chairman of the JCS is the principal military advisor to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. The Chiefs of Service are the senior military officers of their respective Services and are responsible for keeping the Secretaries of the Military Departments fully informed on matters considered or acted upon by the JCS, and are military advisers to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. The Vice Chairman of the JCS performs such duties as may be prescribed by the Chairman with the approval of the Secretary of Defense. When there is a vacancy in the Office of the Chairman or in the absence or disability of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman acts as Chairman and performs the duties of the Chairman until a successor is appointed or the absence or disability ceases. (See Chart.)