Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is a group of senior military leaders in the United States who advise the President and other top officials on military matters. It consists of the highest-ranking officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and the National Guard, along with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. The JCS helps coordinate and plan military operations, ensuring the U.S. armed forces work together effectively. They do not command troops directly but play a crucial role in strategic decision-making and defense policy.