10 U.S.C. § 9082 — Chief of Space Operations

(a) Appointment. (1) The President appoints a general officer^* of the Space Force as Chief of Space Operations with the Senate's advice and consent. The Chief serves at the President's pleasure. (2) The term is 4 years. During war or a national emergency declared by Congress, the President may reappoint the Chief for up to 4 more years. (3) The President may appoint an officer^* only if the officer has significant joint-duty experience, including one full joint-duty tour as a Space Force general officer, as “joint duty assignment” is defined in section 664(d) of this title. This section does not define that term. (4) The President may waive this requirement if the President finds that doing so is necessary in the national interest. (b) Grade^*. While serving, the Chief has the grade of general without losing the officer's permanent grade. (c) Relationship to the Secretary. Unless another law provides otherwise, and subject to section 9013(f) of this title, the Chief works under the Secretary of the Air Force's authority, direction, and control and is directly responsible to the Secretary. (d) Duties. Subject to that authority, the Chief must (1) preside over the Office of the Chief of Space Operations; (2) send that Office's plans and recommendations to the Secretary and advise the Secretary about them; (3) after the Secretary approves them, act for the Secretary to carry them out; (4) supervise the Space Force members and organizations the Secretary specifies, consistently with the authority given to unified or specified combatant-command commanders under chapter 6 of this title; (5) perform duties assigned by sections 171 and 3104 of this title and other laws; and (6) perform other military duties assigned by the President, Secretary of Defense, or Secretary of the Air Force that no law assigns elsewhere. (e) Joint Chiefs. (1) The Chief is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (2) As long as this does not impair the Chief's independence as a Joint Chiefs member, the Chief must tell the Secretary of the Air Force about military advice that Joint Chiefs members give on matters affecting the Air Force Department. (3) Subject to the Secretary of Defense's authority, direction, and control, the Chief must keep the Air Force Secretary fully informed about significant military operations affecting that Secretary's duties and responsibilities. (f) Vacancy. If the Chief's position is vacant, or the Chief is absent or disabled, the Vice Chief performs the Chief's duties until a successor is appointed or the condition ends. If the Vice Chief's position is also vacant, or the Vice Chief is absent or disabled, the most senior Space Force officer in the Space Staff who is available and not restricted from duty performs the duties unless the President directs otherwise. That service ends at the earlier of the appointment of a successor to the Chief or Vice Chief, or the end of the Chief's or Vice Chief's absence or disability.