Order of Succession of Officers To Act as Secretary of the Army

This executive order establishes the line of succession for who may act as Secretary of the Army if the Secretary dies, resigns, becomes permanently disabled, or is temporarily absent or disabled. The order specifies that the Under Secretary of the Army is first in line, followed by Assistant Secretaries and General Counsel ranked by seniority, then the Chief of Staff of the Army.

Federal Register 59 FR 21907

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Key directives

Establish succession order: Under Secretary → Assistant Secretaries/General Counsel (by seniority) → Chief of Staff
Distinguish permanent succession (death/disability/resignation) from temporary succession (absence/temporary disability)
Prohibit acting officials from serving as Acting Secretary
Clarify that temporary succession does not vacate successor's statutory appointment
Allow Secretary to continue exercising powers during temporary absence despite succession order
Authorize Secretary to determine precedence among same-date appointees

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Order takes effect upon signing, establishing succession protocols

Near term (90d)

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Long term

Remains in effect until superseded by future executive order or statutory change

Risks & tensions

Order explicitly preserves Secretary's authority during temporary absence, potentially creating ambiguity about who is actually in charge during travel or brief absences
Seniority-based ranking among Assistant Secretaries may create competitive tensions
Acting officials are excluded from succession, which could leave gaps if multiple positions are filled by acting appointees