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
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy international transfers of defense-related goods, services, and technologies. The annual budget for the USD(P) is contained in the OSD's budget, under the Defense-Wide Operation and Maintenance (O&M) account. According to official projections, the budget for USD(P) is expected to see substantial cutbacks in FY11 and FY12. The Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is the chief staff assistant to the USD(P). Originally established as the "Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Policy)" by the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 1992–93 (P.L. 102-190), the post was re-designated "Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Policy)", or PDUSD(P) in December 1999