How do the Joint Chiefs of Staff advise the president and the secretary of defense?

The Joint Chiefs of Staff serve as the principal military advisers to the president, the National Security Council, and the secretary of defense.123

It is important to clarify that the Joint Chiefs of Staff function exclusively as an advisory body; they do not possess command authority over combat forces or lead troops directly. Instead, they provide expert military guidance to civilian leaders on defense policy and military issues.2

To support this advisory role, the Joint Chiefs are assisted by the Joint Staff, a group of officers who perform critical functions such as:

• Developing strategic concepts and war plans.3
• Reviewing the operating plans of unified combat commands.3
• Establishing unified doctrine for military operations.3

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff acts as the nation’s highest-ranking military officer and the primary conduit for this advice. By integrating perspectives from the various military branches, the body ensures that the president and the secretary of defense receive coordinated, unified military counsel.32