2018 US Code
Title 10 - Armed Forces
Subtitle A - General Military Law
Part I - Organization and General Military Powers
Chapter 4 - Office of the Secretary of Defense
Sec. 140 - General Counsel

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Citation 10 U.S.C. § 140 (2018)
Section Name §140. General Counsel
Section Text

(a) There is a General Counsel of the Department of Defense, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(b) The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of the Department of Defense. He shall perform such functions as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe.

Source Credit

(Added Pub. L. 87–651, title II, §202, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 519, §137; amended Pub. L. 88–426, title III, §305(9), Aug. 14, 1964, 78 Stat. 423; renumbered §139 and amended Pub. L. 99–433, title I, §§101(a)(7), 110(d)(11), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 995, 1003; renumbered §140, Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title IX, §901(a)(1), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1726.)

Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised sectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
137(a) [Uncodified: 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 6, eff. June 30, 1953, §4 (1st 25 words of 1st sentence), 67 Stat. 639]. 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 6, eff. June 30, 1953, §4, 67 Stat. 639.
137(b) [Uncodified: 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 6, eff. June 30, 1953, §4 (1st sentence, less 1st 25 words), 67 Stat. 639].
137(c) [Uncodified: 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 6, eff. June 30, 1953, §4 (2d sentence), 67 Stat. 639].

In subsection (b), the words "from time to time" are omitted as surplusage.

PRIOR PROVISIONS

A prior section 140 was renumbered section 141 of this title.

Another prior section 140 was renumbered section 127 of this title.

AMENDMENTS

1993—Pub. L. 103–160 renumbered section 139 of this title as this section.

1986—Pub. L. 99–433, §§101(a)(7), 110(d)(11), renumbered section 137 of this title as this section, and struck out ": powers and duties" at end of section catchline.

1964—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 88–426 repealed subsec. (c) which related to compensation of General Counsel. See section 5315 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1964 AMENDMENT

For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 88–426, see section 501 of Pub. L. 88–426.

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Title 10 - ARMED FORCES
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 10 - ARMED FORCES
Subtitle A - General Military Law
PART I - ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL MILITARY POWERS
CHAPTER 4 - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Sec. 140 - General Counsel
Contains section 140
Date 2018
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 14, 2019
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 67 Stat. 639
76 Stat. 519
78 Stat. 423
100 Stat. 995
107 Stat. 1726
Public Law References Public Law 87-651, Public Law 88-426, Public Law 99-433, Public Law 103-160
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