The National Military Strategy (NMS) was established by precedent in the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-433), which charges the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the President, and the Secretary of Defense with providing strategic direction for the armed forces. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff produces the NMS based on consultation with the Combatant Commanders (COCOMs) and members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It serves as a strategic framework for how the armed forces will execute the overall policy goals laid out in the most recent National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy.

National Military Strategy of the United States  1992		National Military Strategy of the United States  1995		National Military Strategy of the United States  1997
	Full Volume		Full Volume		Full Volume
General Colin Powell  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff		General John M. Shalikashvili  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff		General John M. Shalikashvili  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

National Military Strategy of the United States  2011		National Military Strategy of the United States  2015		National Military Strategy of the United States  2018
	Full Volume		Full Volume		Full Volume
Admiral Michael Mullen  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff		General Martin Dempsey  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff		General Joseph Dunford  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff