Memorandum on Transfer of Unified Command Plan Responsibilities
Issued 2016-08-05 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
This memorandum approves a reorganization of military responsibilities requested by the Secretary of Defense. The Unified Command Plan is the document that assigns different parts of the world and different military missions to specific combatant commands, such as Central Command or Pacific Command. This action transfers certain responsibilities from one command to another, though the specific details of which responsibilities moved where are not provided in the document.
The memorandum affects the Department of Defense and the military's organizational structure. It directs the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress about these changes and to publish the memorandum publicly in the Federal Register.
President Obama issued this action under his constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and in accordance with federal laws governing military organization. The memorandum responds to a request from the Secretary of Defense dated June 16, 2016, making this a collaborative decision between civilian leadership rather than a unilateral presidential initiative.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This presidential memorandum ("Memorandum on Transfer of Unified Command Plan Responsibilities") provides direction to executive branch agencies. Presidential memoranda function similarly to executive orders but are typically more narrow in scope, addressing specific agencies or implementation details. The President's authority to direct executive branch operations is grounded in Article II of the Constitution.
Memoranda are a routine administrative tool. They guide agencies on priorities, interpretation of statutes, and implementation procedures. As long as they operate within the bounds of existing law and respect congressional mandates, they are a standard exercise of presidential power that every modern administration has used.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Memorandum on Transfer of Unified Command Plan Responsibilities August 5, 2016 Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense Subject: Transfer of Unified Command Plan Responsibilities Pursuant to my authority as Commander in Chief, I hereby approve your request dated June 16, 2016 and direct the transfer of the requested responsibilities in the Unified Command Plan. Consistent with title 10, United States Code, section 161(b)(2) and title 3, United States Code, section 301, you are directed to notify the Congress on my behalf. You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register . B ARACK O BAMA [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:15 a.m., August 9, 2016] N OTE : This memorandum was published in the Federal Register on August 10. Categories: Communications to Federal Agencies : Unified Command Plan, memorandum on transfer of responsibilities . Subjects: Defense, Department of : Unified Command Plan. DCPD Number: DCPD201600