
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 10USC151]

 
                         TITLE 10--ARMED FORCES
 
                    Subtitle A--General Military Law
 
            PART I--ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL MILITARY POWERS
 
                    CHAPTER 5--JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
 
Sec. 151. Joint Chiefs of Staff: composition; functions

    (a) Composition.--There are in the Department of Defense the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff, headed by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 
The Joint Chiefs of Staff consist of the following:
        (1) The Chairman.
        (2) The Vice Chairman.
        (3) The Chief of Staff of the Army.
        (4) The Chief of Naval Operations.
        (5) The Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
        (6) The Commandant of the Marine Corps.

    (b) Function as Military Advisers.--The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff is the principal military adviser to the President, the 
National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense.
    (2) The other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are military 
advisers to the President, the National Security Council, and the 
Secretary of Defense as specified in subsections (d) and (e).
    (c) Consultation by Chairman.--(1) In carrying out his functions, 
duties, and responsibilities, the Chairman shall, as he considers 
appropriate, consult with and seek the advice of--
        (A) the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and
        (B) the commanders of the unified and specified combatant 
    commands.

    (2) Subject to subsection (d), in presenting advice with respect to 
any matter to the President, the National Security Council, or the 
Secretary of Defense, the Chairman shall, as he considers appropriate, 
inform the President, the National Security Council, or the Secretary of 
Defense, as the case may be, of the range of military advice and opinion 
with respect to that matter.
    (d) Advice and Opinions of Members Other Than Chairman.--(1) A 
member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (other than the Chairman) may submit 
to the Chairman advice or an opinion in disagreement with, or advice or 
an opinion in addition to, the advice presented by the Chairman to the 
President, the National Security Council, or the Secretary of Defense. 
If a member submits such advice or opinion, the Chairman shall present 
the advice or opinion of such member at the same time he presents his 
own advice to the President, the National Security Council, or the 
Secretary of Defense, as the case may be.
    (2) The Chairman shall establish procedures to ensure that the 
presentation of his own advice to the President, the National Security 
Council, or the Secretary of Defense is not unduly delayed by reason of 
the submission of the individual advice or opinion of another member of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
    (e) Advice on Request.--The members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 
individually or collectively, in their capacity as military advisers, 
shall provide advice to the President, the National Security Council, or 
the Secretary of Defense on a particular matter when the President, the 
National Security Council, or the Secretary requests such advice.
    (f) Recommendations to Congress.--After first informing the 
Secretary of Defense, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may make 
such recommendations to Congress relating to the Department of Defense 
as he considers appropriate.
    (g) Meetings of JCS.--(1) The Chairman shall convene regular 
meetings of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
    (2) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the 
President and the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman shall--
        (A) preside over the Joint Chiefs of Staff;
        (B) provide agenda for the meetings of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 
    (including, as the Chairman considers appropriate, any subject for 
    the agenda recommended by any other member of the Joint Chiefs of 
    Staff);
        (C) assist the Joint Chiefs of Staff in carrying on their 
    business as promptly as practicable; and
        (D) determine when issues under consideration by the Joint 
    Chiefs of Staff shall be decided.

(Added Pub. L. 99-433, title II, Sec. 201, Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1005; 
amended Pub. L. 102-484, div. A, title IX, Sec. 911(a), Oct. 23, 1992, 
106 Stat. 2473.)


                               Amendments

    1992--Subsec. (a)(2) to (6). Pub. L. 102-484 added par. (2) and 
redesignated former pars. (2) to (5) as (3) to (6), respectively.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 3033, 5033, 5043, 8033 of 
this title.
