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Department of Defense Key Officials is prepared by the Historical Office of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and updated on a regular basis. This publication presents the dates of tenure in office for senior Department of Defense (DoD) officials and the history of these positions since DoD’s establishment in 1947. The publication lists both presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed (PAS) as well as non-PAS officials. The report includes civilians in OSD and the military departments as well as the top leadership of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combat Commands, and DoD field activities and defense agencies.