The Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958 is an American law which was created to provide for more effective administration for the Department of Defense (DoD). Its goal was to streamline channels of authority in DoD, and still maintain the authority of the Military Departments. The law of the United States is derived from the common law of England, which was in force at the time of the Revolutionary War. ... The United States Department of Defense, abbreviated DoD or DOD and sometimes called the Defense Department, is a civilian Cabinet organization of the United States government. ...

The Act moved decision-making authority from the Military Departments to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. It also strengthened the command channel of the military over U.S. forces from the President to the Secretary of Defense. The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a panel comprising the highest-ranking members of each major branch of the armed services in any particular country. ... The United States Secretary of Defense is the head of the United States Department of Defense, concerned with the armed services and The Secretary is a member of the Presidents Cabinet. ... Seal of the President of the United States, official impression The President of the United States is the head of state of the United States. ... The United States Secretary of Defense is the head of the United States Department of Defense, concerned with the armed services and The Secretary is appointed by the President with the approval of the Senate, and is a member of the Cabinet. ...