The Operations (J3) directorate is the

Continental Staff System A military staff or general staff (also referred to as army staff, navy staff, or air staff within the individual services) is a group of officers, enlisted and civilian staff who serve the commander of a division or other large military ...

branch of the U.S. DOD

Joint Staff The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is the body of the most senior uniformed leaders within the United States Department of Defense, that advises the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, the Homeland Security Council and the ...

responsible for military operations. It is the third level of the US National Level Command Structure, primarily assists the

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) is the presiding officer of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The chairman is the highest-ranking and most senior military officer in the United States Armed Forces Chairman: app ...

(CJCS) in carrying out responsibilities as the principal military advisor to the President and Secretary of Defense. Operations develops and provides guidance to the Combatant Commanders; relays communications between the President, Secretary of Defense, Combatant Commanders regarding current operations and plans. It is headed by the Director, Operations, staff code J3, a two-star

major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...

rear admiral Rear admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captain, but below that of a vice admiral. It is regarded as a two star " admiral" rank. It is often rega ...

. The

National Military Command Center The National Military Command Center (NMCC) is a Pentagon command and communications center for the National Command Authority (i.e., the President of the United States and the United States Secretary of Defense). Maintained by the Department ...

(NMCC) is part of the J3 directorate.

References

Joint Chiefs of Staff {{war-stub