Veterans Affairs and Navy

Graham Steele

11/14/13

Political Science

The United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs

The first United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs was Ed Derwinski who was appointed by President George H. W. Bush in 1989.  Although it is not a requirement, so far every appointee has been a United States veteran.  On January 20th, 2009 the Senate unanimously confirmed retired General Eric Shinseki as the seventh Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  The main responsibility of this position is to head of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, more commonly known as the VA.  This department is the second largest after the Department of Defense, and has a budget of $87.6 billion.  The VA employs about 280,000 people and has Veterans’ Affairs medical centers, clinics, and benefits centers around the country in order to ensure that veterans receive the benefits and attention they need.

The United States Secretary of the Navy

The position of United States Secretary of the Navy was created in 1798 and was an executive office until 1947 when it was combined with the Department of Defense.  The current Secretary of the Navy is Ray Mabus, who began acting on May 19, 2009.  In order to become the Secretary of the Navy, people must at least five years removed from active military service, which makes them legal civilians.  They must also be appointed by the president and confirmed by a majority of the Senate.  The Secretary of the Navy is the head of both the Navy and the Marine Corps.  He is also responsible for recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training, and mobilizing both sections of our military.  In addition, the Secretary of the Navy oversees the construction and repair of naval ships, equipment, and facilities.