Joint Staff

The Joint Staff (JS) manages the unified command of all branches in the United States Armed Forces. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) oversee the force.

Composition

Joint Staff

The Join Staff is overseen by the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS).

The Joint Staff is led by a director (DJS).

There are nine directorates (also led by directors):

• Directorate of Management (DOM)
• Personnel and Manpower (J1)
• Intelligence (J2)
• Operations (J3)
• Logistics (J4)
• Strategic Plans and Policy (J5)
• Command, Control, Communications and Computers/Cyber (J6)
• Joint Force Development (J7)
• Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment (J8)

The Joint Staff is composed of staff from each branch of the United States Armed Forces. They provide the expertise to deliver a unified defense strategy making use of each branch's personnel and assets.

Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a council of the highest ranking commanders from each branch of the Armed Forces.

It is led by a chair (CJCS) and vice chair. However, this does not constitute a chain of command.

The council members are:

• chief of staff of the Army (CSA)
• chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
• commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC)
• chief of staff of the Air Force (CSAF or AF/CC)
• chief of Space Operations (CSO)
• chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB)

Despite being a branch of active duty military, the commandant of the Coast Guard is only a de facto member of the council, because they ordinarily report to DHS.

History

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