{"id":26303,"date":"2017-10-04T14:08:44","date_gmt":"2017-10-04T14:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smg.go-vip.net\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2017\/10\/04\/one-hand-tied-behind-your-back-why-dods-empty-policy-chair-matters\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:12:08","slug":"one-hand-tied-behind-your-back-why-dods-empty-policy-chair-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/pentagon\/2017\/10\/04\/one-hand-tied-behind-your-back-why-dods-empty-policy-chair-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"‘One hand tied behind your back’: Why DoD’s empty policy chair matters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 Nine months into the Trump administration, the Pentagon remains understaffed, with a particularly vital role left unfulfilled in the undersecretary of defense for policy \u2014 a vacancy that experts worry is impacting the ability of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis to execute his agenda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside the Army secretary, the USD-P job is arguably the most high-profile spot empty at the Pentagon. It\u2019s a key job that serves as both facilitator of the secretary\u2019s will inside the department and his representative outside the building. A trio of former officials to hold that job describe it as a mix between consigliere, strategist and diplomat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mich\u00e8le Flournoy, who served as USD-P from 2009 to 2012, describes the job as \u201cthe secretary\u2019s deputy in the NSC process and in all international engagements as well as his right hand in developing the department\u2019s strategy and reviewing the military\u2019s contingency plans and operations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTrying to do the SecDef job without a USD-P is like having one hand tied behind your back,\u201d Flournoy, now the head of the Center for a New American Security think tank, told Defense News. \u201cBy contrast, having a strong, empowered USD-P in place is a huge force multiplier for the secretary, enabling him to delegate a significant amount of work that he would otherwise have to do himself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric Edelman, who had the USD-P job for the last four years of the Bush administration, called the breadth of issues covered by the job \u201cstaggering.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those responsibilities include formulating policy for homeland defense, nonproliferation and arms control, and regional policies for areas covered by the combatant commands; reviewing war plans; maintaining the Pentagon\u2019s technological edge; and handling bilateral relationships with allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\t