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 Joint Staff is led by the director of the Joint Staff (DJS).
There are 9 directorates within the force individually led also 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 force 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.
- chief of staff of the Army
- chief of Naval Operations
- commandant of the Marine Corps
- chief of staff of the Air Force
- chief of Space Operations
- chief of the National Guard Bureau
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.
The director of Joint Staff reports to the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) (as well as the vice chair). However, the other Joint Chiefs do not fall under the chair for military command.