This study of the chairmanship traces the evolution of the position from its World War II origins through the first post-Cold War chairmanship. It sketches the careers of my predecessors from Omar Bradley through Colin Powell and those of the first two Vice Chairmen. In doing so, the book shows how each dealt with a wide variety of political, diplomatic, and military challenges. Its brief accounts of the histories of 'The Tank, ' the Chairman's flag, the Joint Chiefs of Staff badge, and the designation of an official residence for the Chairman provide additional information about the Office of the Chairman. The author think that all who are interested in the institutional development of the US military will find the book instructive.

Prepared by the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in conjunction with the 50th anniversary the chairmanship. Gives a historical perspective on the development of the chairmanship as an institution as well as on the Chairman's & Vice Chairman's role in the formulation & implementation of our national security policy. Sheds light on civil-military relations at the highest level during the Cold War & its immediate aftermath & provides valuable insight into the interaction of individuals, circumstances, & law, which produced the chairmanship as we know it today. Illustrated with formal color portraits & informal photographs of each Chairman during that period .

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the nation's highest-ranking military officer. He presides over the Joint Chiefs of Staff and provides military advice to the civilian leadership. Soon after the Joint Chiefs of Staff came into existence during World War II, Admiral William D. Leahy became its presiding officer. This arrangement continued after the war, with General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower serving briefly after Leahy's departure in early 1949. When the National Security Act of 1947 gave legal sanction to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, it did not authorize a chairman. However, service disagreements over roles, missions, and the allocation of funds to meet the growing threat from the Soviet Union led Congress to create the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1949. General Omar N. Bradley, USA, became the first Chairman on August 16 of that year. Although law, executive action, and practice extended the Chairman's role during three subsequent decades, is authority remained restricted and he served essentially as the fir among equals on the JCS. In 1986, however, believing that the JCS system required fundamental reform, Congress enacted the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act, which greatly expanded the Chairman's authority and reponsibilities.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is the nation's highest-ranking military officer. He presides over the Joint Chiefs and provides military advice to the civilian leadership. Soon after the JCS came into existence during World War II, Admiral William D. Leahy became its presiding officer. This arrangement continued after the war, with General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower serving briefly after Leahy's departure in early 1949. When the National Security Act of 1947 gave legal sanction to the JCS, it did not authorize a chairman. However, service disagreements over roles, missions, and the allocation of funds to meet the growing threat from the Soviet Union led Congress to create the position of Chairman of the JCS in 1949. General Omar N. Bradley, USA, became the first Chairman on 16 August of that year. Although law, executive action, and practice extended the Chairman's role during three subsequent decades, his authority remained restricted, and he served essentially as the first among equals on the JCS. In 1986, however, believing that the JCS system required fundamental reform, Congress enacted the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act, which greatly expanded the Chairman's authority and responsibilities.

"This revised fifth edition examines the development of the chairmanship as an institution over the last sixty-seven years. It presents an expanded historical essay and four additional career biographies, with associated updates to the supplementary sections and appendices." --p.vii.