Responsibilities: Policies and programs related to science and technology, special operations, intelligence, counterterrorism, security cooperation, strategic and information operations, countering weapons of mass destruction, and homeland defense.

Oversight of budget accounts: Technology base RDT&E; operational test and evaluation; RDT&E and procurement supporting special operations and low-intensity conflict capabilities; peacekeeping operations; chemical and biological warfare defense; chemical demilitarization; and security cooperation programs, including counternarcotics.

Oversight of DOD offices: Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering; Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence); Assistant Secretary of Defense (Homeland Defense); Assistant Secretary of Defense (Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict); and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

Oversight of DOD commands and agencies: Special Operations Command; Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; Defense Security Cooperation Agency; National Security Agency; Defense Intelligence Agency; National Reconnaissance Office; and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.