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
United States Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense currently exist five PDUSDs. Each PDUSD is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The five PDUSDs are: Each of the PDUSDs serves as the "first assistant" to the corresponding Under Secretary of Defense, and would serve as the acting Under Secretary in the Under Secretary's absence. The PDUSD is not "directly responsible for a specified portfolio within the Office of the Under Secretary," but instead is responsible for assisting the Under Secretary with the entire portfolio. Reporting to the PDUSDs are Assistant Secretaries of Defense, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and