US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 9034

Vice Chief of Staff

(a)
There is a Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from the general officers of the Air Force.
(b)
The Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, while so serving, has the grade of general without vacating his permanent grade.
(c)
The Vice Chief of Staff has such authority and duties with respect to the Department of the Air Force as the Chief of Staff, with the approval of the Secretary of the Air Force, may delegate to or prescribe for him. Orders issued by the Vice Chief of Staff in performing such duties have the same effect as those issued by the Chief of Staff.
(d)
When there is a vacancy in the office of Chief of Staff or during the absence or disability of the Chief of Staff—
(1)
the Vice Chief of Staff shall perform the duties of the Chief of Staff until a successor is appointed or the absence or disability ceases; or
(2)
if there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice Chief of Staff or the Vice Chief of Staff is absent or disabled, unless the President directs otherwise, the most senior officer of the Air Force in the Air Staff who is not absent or disabled and who is not restricted in performance of duty shall perform the duties of the Chief of Staff until a successor to the Chief of Staff or the Vice Chief of Staff is appointed or until the absence or disability of the Chief of Staff or Vice Chief of Staff ceases, whichever occurs first.

Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 104170A Stat. 492Pub. L. 85–599, § 6(d)72 Stat. 519Pub. L. 99–433, title V, § 522(d)100 Stat. 1062Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 806(c)132 Stat. 1833(, , § 8035; , , ; renumbered § 8034 and amended , , ; renumbered § 9034, , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

8035(a)

10:1813(a) (1st sentence).

Sept. 19, 1951, ch. 407, § 203, 65 Stat. 328.

8035(b)

10:1813(a) (less 1st sentence).

8035(c)

10:1813(b).

In subsection (a), the words “of the Air Force” are omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (b), the words “if the Chief of Staff is absent or disabled or if that office is vacant” are substituted for 10:1813(a) (1st 18 words of last sentence). The words “the officer who is highest on the following list and” are inserted for clarity. The words “until his successor is appointed” are omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (c), the words “If the Vice Chief of Staff is absent or disabled or if that office is vacant” are substituted for 10:1813(b) (1st 19 words).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–232section 8034 of this title2018— renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 99–433, § 522(d)section 8035 of this title1986—, renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 99–433, § 522(d)(5), substituted “Vice Chief of Staff” for “Vice Chief of Staff; Deputy Chiefs of Staff: succession to duties of Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 99–433, § 522(d)(1)Subsecs. (a), (b). , substituted subsecs. (a) and (b) for former subsecs. (a) and (b) which read as follows:

“(a) The Vice Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chiefs of Staff shall be general officers detailed to those positions.

“(b) If the Chief of Staff is absent or disabled or if that office is vacant, the officer who is highest on the following list and who is not absent or disabled shall, unless otherwise directed by the President, perform the duties of the Chief of Staff until a successor is appointed or the absence or disability ceases:

“(1) The Vice Chief of Staff.

“(2) The Deputy Chiefs of Staff in order of seniority.”

Pub. L. 99–433, § 522(d)(2)Subsec. (c). , (3), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which read as follows: “If the Vice Chief of Staff is absent or disabled or if that office is vacant, the senior Deputy Chief of Staff who is not absent or disabled shall, unless otherwise directed by the Secretary of the Air Force, perform the duties of the Vice Chief of Staff until a successor is designated or the absence or disability ceases.”

Pub. L. 99–433, § 522(d)(3)Subsec. (d). , (4), added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) was redesignated (c).

Pub. L. 85–5991958—Subsec. (d). added subsec. (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–232section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see , set out as a note preceding .