THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

EXECUTIVE ORDER 13000

              ORDER OF SUCCESSION OF OFFICERS TO ACT AS
                         SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 3347 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Succession to Act as the Secretary of Defense. (a) In the event of the death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Secretary of Defense, the incumbents holding the Department of Defense positions designated below, in the order indicated, shall act for and exercise the powers of the Secretary of Defense as Acting Secretary of Defense:

(1) Deputy Secretary of Defense.

(2) Secretary of the Army.

(3) Secretary of the Navy.

(4) Secretary of the Air Force.

     (5)  Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and
          Technology.

     (6)  Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

     (7)  Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).

     (8)  Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
          Readiness.

     (9)  Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and
          Technology.

     (10) Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

     (11) Director of Defense Research and Engineering.

     (12) The Assistant Secretaries of Defense, the Director of
          Operational Test and Evaluation, and the General
          Counsel of the Department of Defense, in the order
          fixed by their length of service as permanent
          appointees in such positions.

     (13) Under Secretaries of the Army, the Navy, and the
          Air Force, in the order fixed by their length of
          service as permanent appointees in such positions.

     (14) Assistant Secretaries of the Army, the Navy, and the
          Air Force whose appointments are vested in the
          President, and General Counsels of the Army, the Navy,
          and the Air Force, in the order fixed by their length
          of service as permanent appointees in such positions.

     (b) In the event of the temporary absence or temporary disability

of the Secretary of Defense, the incumbents holding the Department of Defense positions designated in paragraph (a) of this section, in the order indicated, shall act for and exercise the powers of the Secretary of Defense as Acting Secretary of Defense.

     (1) In these instances, the designation of an Acting
          Secretary of Defense applies only for the duration of
          the Secretary's absence or disability, and does not
          affect the authority of the Secretary to resume the
          powers of his office upon his return.

     (2) In the event that the Secretary of Defense is
          temporarily absent from his position, the Secretary
          may continue to exercise the powers and fulfill the
          duties of this office during his absence,
          notwithstanding the provisions of this order.

     (c) Precedence among those officers designated in paragraphs

(a)(12)-(14) of this section who have the same appointment date shall be determined by the Secretary of Defense at the time that such appointments are made.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, an officer shall not act for or exercise the powers of the Secretary of Defense under this order if that officer serves only in an acting capacity in the position that would otherwise entitle him to do so.

Sec. 2. Temporary Nature of Succession. Succession to act for and exercise the powers of the Secretary of Defense pursuant to this order shall be on a temporary or interim basis and shall not have the effect of vacating the statutory appointment held by the successor.

Sec. 3. Revocation of Prior Executive Order. Executive Order No. 12787 of December 31, 1991, is hereby revoked.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

                      THE WHITE HOUSE,
                      April 24, 1996.

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