Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 5111.18
June 13, 2011
DA&M
SUBJECT: Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs (ASD(GSA))
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. Pursuant to the authority vested in the Secretary of Defense by sections 113 and
138 of title 10, United States Code (Reference (a)), this Directive:
a. Assigns the responsibilities and functions, relationships, and authorities of the
ASD(GSA), as prescribed herein.
b. Supersedes and cancels DoD Directive 5111.14 (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 DoD, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and
all other organizational entities within the DoD (hereafter referred to collectively as the “DoD
Components”).
3. RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS. The ASD(GSA) is the principal advisor to the
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)) and the Secretary of Defense responsible for
formulating and coordinating DoD strategy and policy on issues of DoD interest that relate to the
functional focus of the ASD(GSA), such as nuclear deterrence and missile defense policy, space
policy, cyberspace policy, and countering weapons of mass destruction (WMD) policy.
Enclosure 2 provides the details of the functional focus of the ASD(GSA). In this capacity, the
ASD(GSA) shall:
a. Represent the USD(P) and the Secretary of Defense in interagency policy deliberations
and international negotiations relating to assigned areas of responsibility.
b. Participate in those planning, programming, budgeting, and execution activities that relate
to assigned areas of responsibility.
c. Perform such other duties as the USD(P) or the Secretary of Defense may prescribe.
