— — — — — Provide, as directed, such military forces, military  missions,  and  detachments  for service  in  foreign  countries  as  may  be necessary to support the national interest of the United States. Aid  in  training  and  equipping  the  military forces  of  foreign  nations. Provide,  as  directed,  administrative  and logistics   support   to   the   headquarters of  unified  and  specified  combatant  com- mands. This includes direct support of the development  and  acquisition  of  the  com- mand  and  control  systems  of  such  head- quarters. Aid each other in the accomplishment of their respective functions. This includes the provisions   of   personnel,   intelligence, training,  facilities,  equipment,  supplies, and services. Prepare and submit, in coordination with other  military  departments,  mobilization information  to  the  JCS. THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF (JCS) The  Joint  Chiefs  of  Staff  consists  of  the Chairman;  the  Chief  of  Staff,  U.S.  Army;  the Chief  of  Naval  Operations;  the  Chief  of  Staff, U.S.  Air  Force;  and  the  Commandant  of  the Marine  Corps. The  JCS  gets  support  from  the  Joint  Staff. Collectively, the JCS and the Joint Staff are the immediate  military  staff  of  the  SECDEF. The  Chairman  of  the  JCS  is  the  principal military  advisor  to  the  President,  the  National Security   Council,   and   the   SECDEF.   Other members  of  the  JCS  are  military  advisors  who may  provide  additional  information  upon  request from the President, the National Security Council, or  the  SECDEF.  They  may  also  submit  their advice  when  it  does  not  agree  with  that  of  the Chairman. Subject   to   the   authority   of   the   President and  the  SECDEF,  the  Chairman,  JCS,  has  the following  responsibilities: — Aiding the President and the SECDEF in providing  for  the  strategic  direction  and planning  of  the  armed  forces — — — — — — Assigning resources to fulfill strategic plans Making recommendations for the assign- ment of responsibilities within the armed forces by and in support of those logistics and  mobility  plans Comparing  the  capabilities  of  American and   allied   armed   forces   with   those   of potential adversaries Preparing  and  reviewing  contingency  plans that conform to policy guidance from the President  and  the  SECDEF Preparing joint logistics and mobility plans to  support  contingency  plans Recommending  assignment  of  logistics  and mobility  responsibilities  to  the  armed forces  to  fulfill  logistics  and  mobility  plans The Chairman also advises the SECDEF on critical  deficiencies  and  strengths  in  force capabilities  and  assesses  the  effect  of  such deficiencies  and  strengths  on  meeting  national security goals and meeting strategic plans policies. He sets up and maintains a uniform system for checking  the  preparedness  of  each  unified  and specified   combatant   command   to   carry   out assigned missions. The  Chairman  advises  the  SECDEF  on  the priorities   of   the   requirements   identified   by the  commanders  of  the  unified  and  specified combatant  commands  on  and  to  the  extent  to which   program   recommendations   and   budget proposals   of   the   military   conform   with   set priorities. He is responsible for submitting to the Secretary alternative program recommendations and  budget  proposals. Additionally,  the  Chairman,  JCS,  has  the following  responsibilities: — — — — Formulating  doctrine  and  training  policies and  coordinating  military  education  and training Representing  the  United  States  on  the Military  Staff  Committee  of  the  United Nations Performing such other duties as prescribed by the President and the SECDEF Convening   and   presiding   over   regular meetings of the JCS 1-4