Who has the authority to assign forces to combatant commands?

The authority to assign forces to combatant commands is held by the Secretary of Defense. This role involves making critical decisions regarding the allocation and deployment of military resources and personnel. The Secretary of Defense oversees all branches of the armed forces and ensures that forces are ready and appropriately assigned to various combatant commands to address national security objectives.

While the President of the United States has overarching control over military actions and strategies, the execution of such decisions, including the assignment of forces, is delegated to the Secretary of Defense. This delegation helps maintain an organized structure within the Department of Defense and allows for more streamlined operational management.

The National Security Advisor provides counsel on security matters but does not have direct authority over military force assignments. Similarly, the Joint Chiefs of Staff serve as senior military leaders who advise the President and the Secretary of Defense but do not possess the authorization to directly assign forces to combatant commands. Thus, the correct answer highlights the pivotal role of the Secretary of Defense in the chain of command concerning military force management.