Who is the principal military advisor to the U.S. President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense?

• A. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• B. Secretary of Defense
• C. National Security Advisor
• D. Vice President

Answer: (C)

The main idea is who is designated to provide military advice to the top-level leaders. The person who fulfills this role is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As the highest-ranking military officer, this chair coordinates input from the entire armed forces and serves as the principal military adviser to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of Defense. The National Security Advisor, while the top civilian adviser on national security policy to the President, is not a military officer and does not hold the formal role of military advisor. The Secretary of Defense is the civilian head of the department, overseeing the armed services, but the formal role of principal military adviser goes to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Vice President does not hold this formal advisory position.