Composition; functions

§ 141. Composition; functions (a) There are in the Department of Defense the Joint Chiefs of Staff consisting of— (1) a Chairman, who has no vote; (2) the Chief of Staff of the Army; (3) the Chief of Naval Operations; and (4) the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. (b) The Joint Chiefs of Staff are the principal military advisers to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. (c) The Commandant of the Marine Corps shall indicate to the Chairman any matter scheduled for consideration by the Joint Chiefs that directly concerns the Marine Corps. Unless, upon request of the Chairman for a determination, the Secretary of Defense determines that such a matter does not concern the Marine Corps, the Commandant shall meet with the Joint Chiefs of Staff when that matter is under consideration. While the matter is under consideration and with respect to it, the Commandant has co-equal status with the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (d) Subject to the authority and direction of the President and the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall— (1) prepare strategic plans and provide for the strategic direction of the armed forces; (2) prepare joint logistic plans and assign logistic responsibilities to the armed forces in accordance with those plans; (3) establish unified commands in strategic areas; (4) review the major material and personnel requirements of the armed forces in accordance with strategic and logistic plans; (5) formulate policies for the joint training of the armed forces; 7 (6) formulate policies for coordinating the military education of members of the armed forces; (7) provide for representation of the United States on the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations; and (8) perform such other duties as the President or the Secretary of Defense may prescribe.