What authority does the Secretary of the Army possess?

The Secretary of the Army holds a significant position within the U.S. Department of Defense and is fundamentally responsible for the overall operations, personnel, training, and management of the Army. This role includes making decisions about staffing, readiness, and policy implementation that directly impact how the Army functions both in peacetime and during conflict. The emphasis on responsibility for the Army's operations and management encompasses a wide range of duties, including budgeting, equipping forces, and setting strategic direction.

In contrast, control over the Navy's resources pertains specifically to the Secretary of the Navy, while the appointment of military commissions is generally a responsibility of higher authorities such as the President. Oversight of military contracts is a part of the broader scope of defense management but is not the only focus of the Secretary of the Army's authority, as their responsibilities extend well beyond just contract oversight to encompass full operational control and strategic leadership of Army forces.