Chief of Staff: appointment; duties

§ 8034. Chief of Staff: appointment; duties (a) The Chief of Staff shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from the general officers of the Air Force. He serves during the pleasure of the President, but not for more than four years unless reappointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (b) The Chief of Staff, while so serving, has the grade of general without vacating his regular or reserve grade, and is counted as one of the officers authorized to serve in a grade above lieutenant general under section 8066 of this title. (c) Except as otherwise prescribed by law and subject to section 8012 (c) and (d) of this title, the Chief of Staff performs his duties under the direction of the Secretary of the Air Force, and is directly responsible to the Secretary for the efficiency of the Air Force, its preparedness for military operations, and plans therefor. (d) The Chief of Staff shall— (1) preside over the Air Staff; (2) send the plans and recommendations of the Air Staff to the Secretary, and advise him with regard thereto; (3) after approval of the plans or recommendations of the Air Staff by the Secretary, act as the agent of the Secretary in carrying them into effect; (4) exercise command over the air defense command, the strategic air command, the tactical air command, and such other major commands as may be established under section 8074 (c) of this title; (5) supervise all other members and organizations of the Air Force; (6) perform the duties prescribed for him by sections 141 and 171 of this title and other provisions of law; and (7) perform such other military duties, not otherwise assigned by law, as are assigned to him by the President.