Chief of Staff of the Army

The United States Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA) is the senior officer of the United States Army, unless the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is an Army officer. He is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, currently for a four-year term, and usually retires after that single term. The incumbent is GEN George Casey.

A member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), he does not directly command operational forces of the Army, which are under Unified Combatant Commands that report to the Secretary of Defense and the President of the United States; the latter two constitute the National Command Authority.

The CNO reports to the Secretary of the Army, especially in matters such as Congressional relations, but has complex relationships with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of Defense. While he does not have operational command over army forces, he has enormous influence.

He is assisted by the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army.