Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 5105.20
June 27, 2013
DA&M
SUBJECT: Defense Representation, United States Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (USNATO) and Europe
References: See Enclosure
1. PURPOSE. This directive reissues DoD Directive 5105.20 (Reference (a)) to update the
responsibilities and functions, relationships, and authorities regarding Defense representation for
USNATO and Europe, pursuant to the authority vested in the Secretary of Defense (SecDef) by
Title 10, United States Code (Reference (b)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This directive applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in
this directive as the “DoD Components”).
3. RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS
a. Defense representation for USNATO and Europe includes the U.S. Permanent
Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (U.S.
Ambassador to NATO); the Defense Advisor, USNATO/Senior Civilian Representative of the
Secretary of Defense in Europe (SECDEFREPEUR); and other DoD personnel assigned to
USNATO.
b. All functions and activities performed by DoD personnel assigned to USNATO in
supporting DoD programs relating to NATO will be carried out under the supervision and
authority of the U.S. Ambassador to NATO.
c. In fulfilling statutory duties under the direction of the Secretary of State, who is the
principal advisor to the President in the determination and execution of the foreign policy of the
United States, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO:
(1) Advises and assists the SecDef on DoD aspects of matters pertaining to NATO.
