But on the advice of Defense Secretary Robert Gates and senior military leaders, President Obama decided that no more are needed for national defense.

VOA: standard.2009.07.21

"There are no two people in government who appreciate the gravity of the decisions that are being discussed and that will ultimately be made than the Secretary of Defense and the President of the United States.

VOA: standard.2009.09.23

This strategy would detail actions to be followed by the Unified Commanders in Chief (CINC) if the president and the secretary of defense order a cyber strike.

CNN: U.S. Army kick-starts cyberwar machine

And that's why the President and the Secretary of Defense and the Chair of the Joint Chiefs believe that doing that through a legislative body, rather than through a court, was an enormously important.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

In his authorities and responsibilities as the principal military adviser to the President and the Secretary of Defense, his views on a wide range of matters of national security are of significant strategic import.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Gen. Carl Mundy: Don't Ask, Don't Tell