What cabinet member's position of command over the military is second only to that of the president?

The Department of Defense was founded in 1947. Overseeing the U.S. Armed Forces, the secretary of defense is a member of the National Security Council and wields "authority, direction, and control" over the department but is "subject to the direction of the President", who is the commander-in-chief. This includes authority over the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force – and, yep, even Space Force.

Last updated 5 years ago · 11.1K views · SOURCE