The National Command Authority consists of which two offices?

• A. The President and Secretary of State.
• B. The President and Secretary of Defense.
• C. The President and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• D. The Vice President and Secretary of Defense.

Answer: (B)

The fundamental fact is who has the authority to order the use of nuclear weapons. In the United States, that authority rests with the National Command Authority, which is made up of the President and the Secretary of Defense. The President, as Commander in Chief, holds the ultimate decision-making power over nuclear use. The Secretary of Defense is the senior civilian official charged with defense policy and the management of the armed forces; their concurrence is required to execute such orders. This pairing ensures civilian oversight and prevents unilateral military action.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serves as the senior military advisor and helps implement orders, but does not itself possess launch authority. The Secretary of State and the Vice President are not the standard members of the National Command Authority, though the Vice President would assume the presidency if necessary.