General Counsel — Us Code Code § 140

Us Code Code § 140 — General Counsel. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 140. General Counsel

(a) There is a General Counsel of the Department of Defense, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(b) The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of the Department of Defense. He shall perform such functions as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe.

(Added Pub. L. 87–651, title II, §202, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 519, §137; amended Pub. L. 88–426, title III, §305(9), Aug. 14, 1964, 78 Stat. 423; renumbered §139 and amended Pub. L. 99–433, title I, §§101(a)(7), 110(d)(11), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 995, 1003; renumbered §140, Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title IX, §901(a)(1), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1726.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
137(a) [Uncodified: 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 6, eff. June 30, 1953, §4 (1st 25 words of 1st sentence), 67 Stat. 639]. 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 6, eff. June 30, 1953, §4, 67 Stat. 639.
137(b) [Uncodified: 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 6, eff. June 30, 1953, §4 (1st sentence, less 1st 25 words), 67 Stat. 639].
137(c) [Uncodified: 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 6, eff. June 30, 1953, §4 (2d sentence), 67 Stat. 639].

In subsection (b), the words "from time to time" are omitted as surplusage.


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 140 was renumbered section 141 of this title.

Another prior section 140 was renumbered section 127 of this title.

Amendments

1993—Pub. L. 103–160 renumbered section 139 of this title as this section.

1986—Pub. L. 99–433, §§101(a)(7), 110(d)(11), renumbered section 137 of this title as this section, and struck out ": powers and duties" at end of section catchline.

1964—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 88–426 repealed subsec. (c) which related to compensation of General Counsel. See section 5315 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1964 Amendment

For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 88–426, see section 501 of Pub. L. 88–426.

About This Section

10 U.S.C. § 140 is part of Title 10 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 10 U.S.C. § 140. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

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It addresses "General Counsel". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

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