
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 10USC140]

 
                         TITLE 10--ARMED FORCES
 
                    Subtitle A--General Military Law
 
            PART I--ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL MILITARY POWERS
 
              CHAPTER 4--OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
 
Sec. 140. General Counsel

    (a) There is a General Counsel of the Department of Defense, 
appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice 
and consent of the Senate.
    (b) The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of the Department 
of Defense. He shall perform such functions as the Secretary of Defense 
may prescribe.

(Added Pub. L. 87-651, title II, Sec. 202, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 519, 
Sec. 137; amended Pub. L. 88-426, title III, Sec. 305(9), Aug. 14, 1964, 
78 Stat. 423; renumbered Sec. 139 and amended Pub. L. 99-433, title I, 
Secs. 101(a)(7), 110(d)(11), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 995, 1003; 
renumbered Sec. 140, Pub. L. 103-160, div. A, title IX, Sec. 901(a)(1), 
Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1726.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
            Revised section                      Source (U.S. Code)            
   Source (Statutes at Large)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
137(a)................................  [Uncodified: 1953 Reorg. Plan No.    19
53 Reorg. Plan No. 6, eff. June
                                         6, eff. June 30, 1953, Sec.  4       3
0, 1953, Sec.  4, 67 Stat. 639.
                                         (1st 25 words of 1st sentence), 67
                                         Stat. 639].
137(b)................................  [Uncodified: 1953 Reorg. Plan No.
                                         6, eff. June 30, 1953, Sec.  4
                                         (1st sentence, less 1st 25 words),
                                         67 Stat. 639].
137(c)................................  [Uncodified: 1953 Reorg. Plan No.
                                         6, eff. June 30, 1953, Sec.  4 (2d
                                         sentence), 67 Stat. 639].
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    In subsection (b), the words ``from time to time'' are omitted as 
surplusage.


                            Prior Provisions

    A prior section 140 was renumbered section 141 of this title.
    Another prior section 140 was renumbered section 127 of this title.


                               Amendments

    1993--Pub. L. 103-160 renumbered section 139 of this title as this 
section.
    1986--Pub. L. 99-433, Secs. 101(a)(7), 110(d)(11), renumbered 
section 137 of this title as this section, and struck out ``: powers and 
duties'' at end of section catchline.
    1964--Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 88-426 repealed subsec. (c) which related 
to compensation of General Counsel. See section 5315 of Title 5, 
Government Organization and Employees.


                    Effective Date of 1964 Amendment

    For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 88-426, see section 501 
of Pub. L. 88-426.


                           Order of Succession

    For order of succession in event of death, disability, or 
resignation of Secretary, see Ex. Ord. No. 13000, Apr. 24, 1996, 61 F.R. 
18483, set out as a note under section 3345 of Title 5, Government 
Organization and Employees.
