>The CJCS is the highest-ranking military officer in the United States and serves as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council. The CJCS is responsible for providing military advice and counsel on matters of national security, as well as for coordinating and overseeing the activities of the Armed Forces.
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS)
>The VCJCS is the second-highest-ranking military officer in the United States and serves as the principal deputy to the CJCS. The VCJCS assists the CJCS in carrying out his duties and responsibilities and also serves as the acting CJCS in the event that the CJCS is absent or incapacitated.
Chiefs of the Armed Services
>The Chiefs of the Armed Services are the highest-ranking military officers in each of the five branches of the United States Armed Forces:
- Chief of Staff of the Army
- Commandant of the Marine Corps
- Chief of Naval Operations
- Chief of Staff of the Air Force
- Commandant of the Coast Guard
Combatant Commanders
>The Combatant Commanders are responsible for the overall command of the Armed Forces in a specific geographic area of responsibility. There are currently a total of eleven combatant commands:
- United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM)
- United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)
- United States European Command (USEUCOM)
- United States Central Command (USCENTCOM)
- United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM)
- United States Pacific Command (USPACOM)
- United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
- United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM)
- United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)
- United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM)
- United States Space Command (USSPACECOM)
