The Chairman normally manages the Joint Staff through which office?

• A. The Secretary of Defense
• B. The Director of the Joint Staff
• C. The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman
• D. The Deputy Director of the Joint Staff

Answer: (B)

Day-to-day management of the Joint Staff is handled by the Director of the Joint Staff, who oversees the staff’s operations, coordinates cross‑branch work, and implements the Chairman’s direction. The Chairman provides overall policy and military guidance, but the Director runs the Joint Staff on a daily basis and reports to the Chairman. The Secretary of Defense sits above the Joint Staff in the DoD chain of command, not as the manager of its day-to-day work. The Deputy Director supports the Director, but the primary authority rests with the Director of the Joint Staff.