Deputy Secretary of Defense

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The deputy secretary of defense is in charge of the Defense Department's day-to-day business. The primary responsibility is managing the defense budget and executing the defense secretary's priorities.

About

The Honorable Steve Feinberg is the 36th deputy secretary of defense, sworn in on March 17, 2025. A graduate of Princeton University, Feinberg is a seasoned executive with extensive leadership experience who grew Cerberus Capital into a global investment firm with approximately $70 billion in assets.

Press Products

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Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg Issues Memo on Workforce Acceleration & Recapitalization Initiative Organizational Review

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Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg Issues Memo on Workforce Acceleration & Recapitalization Incentive Implementation

Leaders

Secretary of Defense

HON Pete Hegseth

Deputy Secretary of Defense

HON Steve Feinberg

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Air Force Gen.

Dan Caine

Christopher W. Grady

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Navy Adm.

Christopher W. Grady

Office of the Secretary of Defense

Top civilian defense decision-makers work with the secretary to develop policy, operational and fiscal plans, manage resources and evaluate programs.

The Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security.