The assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans, and capabilities (ASD(SPC)) is a position in the United States Department of Defense responsible for the overall supervision of DoD policy for strategy, capabilities, forces and contingency plans necessary to implement the national defense strategy. The officeholder reports to the under secretary of defense for policy.
History On January 9, 2015 Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert O. Work established the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities) in accordance with section 906 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, as amended, PL 111-84, which eliminated all non-presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed deputy under secretaries of defense. The assistant secretary of defense (strategy, plans, and capabilities) replaced and assumed the responsibilities of the deputy under secretary of defense (strategy, plans, and forces). The assistant secretary of defense (strategy, plans, and capabilities) gained responsibility for advising the secretary of defense and the under secretary of defense (policy) on the development of national security and defense strategy, military planning, budgeting, and various force development, force management, and corporate processes. This position also assumed responsibility for security cooperation, previously managed by the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intesinty conflict.United States Department of Defense
Structure The ASD (SPC) is supported by four deputy assistant secretaries (DASDs), each with coverage of a different mission area:
Force development and emerging capabilities Global partnerships Plans and posture Strategy
Officeholders The table below includes the holders of this office.
+ Assistant secretaries of defense (strategy, plans, and capabilities) Name Tenure SecDef(s) served under President(s) served underRobert ScherJanuary 9, 2015 – January 20, 2017Chuck Hagel Ash CarterBarack ObamaThomas Harvey (Acting)January 20, 2017 – August 30, 2018Jim MattisDonald TrumpJames H. AndersonAugust 30, 2018 – July 20, 2019Jim MattisDonald TrumpVictorino Mercado (Performing the Duties Of)July 20, 2019 – March 2, 2020Jim MattisMark EsperDonald TrumpJames H. AndersonMarch 2, 2020 – June 8, 2020Mark EsperDonald TrumpVictorino Mercado June 8, 2020 – January 20, 2021Mark EsperDonald TrumpMelissa Dalton (Acting)January 20, 2021 – August 23, 2021 Lloyd AustinJoe BidenMara Karlin August 23, 2021 – December 20, 2023Lloyd AustinJoe BidenMelissa Dalton (Acting)August 23, 2021 – February 14, 2022Lloyd AustinJoe BidenMadeline Mortelmans (Acting)December 20, 2023 – January 20, 2025Lloyd AustinJoe BidenAustin Dahmer (Acting)January 22, 2025 – March 17, 2025Pete HegsethDonald TrumpMadeline Mortelmans (Acting)March 17, 2025 – April 21, 2025Pete HegsethDonald TrumpRafael Leonardo (Acting) April 21, 2025 - PresentPete HegsethDonald Trump
References