The apex advisory body to the President on military matters is the

• A. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• B. National Security Council
• C. Joint Staff
• D. Secretary of Defense

Answer: (A)

In the United States, the top person who provides military advice to the President and the Secretary of Defense is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This officer chairs the Joint Chiefs and uses the Joint Staff to prepare military assessments, options, and recommendations on operations, readiness, and strategy. The National Security Council handles national security policy across multiple agencies and includes civilian leaders, so while it informs the President on security matters, it isn’t the sole military adviser. So for military-specific advice to the President, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the apex adviser.