United States Secretary of Defense to die was Frank Carlucci (1987–1989), on 3 June 2018. United States Secretary of Defense The Secretary of Defense (SecDef) is the leader and chief executive officer of the United States Department of Defense, the executive department of the Armed Forces of the United States. The Secretary of Defense's position of command and authority over the United States' military is second only to that of the President and Congress, respectively. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in many other countries. The Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President with the advice and consent
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs and "Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian & Pacific Security Affairs", respectively. Meanwhile, the ASD(GSA) is now largely responsible for the functional elements of the ASD(ISP)'s former portfolio, including countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, nuclear & missile defense policy, and space policy, in addition to the new responsibility of cyber policy. The Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA) creates and enforces Department of Defense technology security policies related to international transfers of defense-related goods, services, and technologies. DTSA authorizes foreign access to U.S. military technology or foreign purchases of American companies. DTSA also serves as a reviewing agency for the export