The Deputy General Counsel (Personnel & Health Policy) supports the Department of Defense (DoD) General Counsel in providing legal advice to the Office of the Secretary of Defense on matters concerning personnel and health policy and the management of the Department.
This portfolio includes advising the
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness who oversees a broad and diverse organization with a mission to support a strong, adaptable, and ready force through exceptional policy, programs, and services that support DoD-- the largest employer in the world, with over 2 million Service members (active duty, National Guard, and Reserve) and nearly 800,000 civilian employees located across the globe. This office provides legal advice concerning key aspects of DoD’s personnel and readiness policies, programs, and services, including:
• Military manpower and authorities
• Federal employment
• Talent management
• Health and wellness, to include operation of a global healthcare system, a medical university, and programs to prevent violent, harassing, and suicidal behaviors
• Education, to include operation of a K-12 school system
• Military justice
• Civil liberties
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
This office also provides legal advice to the
Director of Administration and Management concerning a variety of administrative law matters relevant to operating the largest Federal agency within the Executive branch. For example, attorneys provide advice on organizational matters such as:
• Establishment of new entities and positions
• Authorities and responsibilities of DoD officials, to include unique authorities relevant to civilian control of the military and the Goldwater-Nichols DoD Reorganization Act
• Succession management for DoD officials, to include the Federal Vacancy Reform Act of 1998
• DoD’s internal regulatory system
In addition, the Deputy General Counsel (Personnel & Health Policy) supervises:
• Director, Standards of Conduct Office
• Director, Office of Legal Policy
• General Counsel, White House Military Office
• General Counsel, the Washington Headquarters Services and Pentagon Force Protection Agency
• General Counsel, the Defense Health Agency
• General Counsel, the Defense Commissary Agency
• General Counsel, the Department of Defense Human Resources Activity
• General Counsel, the Uniformed Services University and Health Services
• General Counsel, the Department of Defense Education Activity
• General Counsel, National Defense University