Enhancing the Performance of Senior Department of Defense Civilian Executives, Reserve Component General/Flag Officers, and Senior Noncommissioned Officers in Joint Matters

Abstract : In recent years, there has been increasing recognition that leaders across the Total Force must have greater understanding of the various roles, boundaries, and functions assigned the combatant commanders, other services, combat support agencies, and interagency organizations. General and flag officers, political appointees, and SES members provide the executive leadership that must develop and execute the Department of Defense's (DoD's) strategy for the defense of the nation. Reserve component G/FOs make up over 40 percent of the total G/FO population, and today one in five G/FO billets in joint organizations is filled by RC G/FOs. Senior noncommissioned officers provide the critical link between the enlisted corps and the officer corps, and vice versa. Most SNCOs exercise leadership at tactical and operational levels; however, a select few serve few serve at the highest levels, advising service Secretaries, service Chiefs of Staff, combatant commanders, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on all matters pertaining to the well-being and utilization of the enlisted force.