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Index/Organizations/Office of the Secretary of Defense

Office of the Secretary of Defense

Office in the U.S. Department of Defense with civilian executive staff

Fact-Checks

4 results
Nov 25, 2025
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What obligations do Geneva Conventions impose on U.S. service members when orders conflict with international law?

U.S. service members are legally required to refuse manifestly illegal orders such as those that breach the Geneva Conventions; following an unlawful order is not a defense, and individuals can be pro...

Jan 14, 2026

What legal standards govern disciplining retired military officers who are also elected officials under 10 U.S.C. §1370?

10 U.S.C. §1370 sets the statutory framework for determining a retired commissioned officer’s grade and pay by requiring retirement “in the highest permanent grade in which such officer is determined ...

Dec 11, 2025

How should service members evaluate an order under the commander’s responsibility and refusal procedures?

Service members weighing whether to follow or refuse an order under commander’s responsibility and refusal procedures must compare the order to applicable law, service regulations and implementing gui...

Dec 3, 2025

What is the Department of Defense process for investigating inflated or false military decorations?

The Department of Defense investigates suspected inflated or false military decorations through rules set out in DoDI 1348.33 and the DoD Manuals (Volumes 1–4), which require award recommendations be ...