• The minister of defense is a position in a country's cabinet or governing body that's in charge of the nation's military forces. While the specifics of the duties performed by the minister of defense vary depending on the country, the basic duties are the same around the world.
  
  

Responsbilities

• A minister of defense usually does not have the final say in regards to a country's use of armed forces--that's the job of the country's leader--the minister of defense offers guidance and advice to the leader about the country's armed forces. When a leader decides how to use the armed forces, it is the minister of defense's job to follow through on that request.
  
  

Other Names

• Depending on the country, the minister of defense can have a variety of job titles. Such titles include defense secretary, secretary of war and minister of national defense. In some cases, the normal responsibilities of the minister of defense fall to another member of that nation's cabinet. For example, in certain countries, the prime minister, in addition to his other duties, is given the duties normally given to a minister of defense.
  
  

Appointment

• In most countries, a minister of defense is not an elected position but is appointed by the leader in charge of the country. When a new leader comes to power, whether by election, coup or royal procession, she appoints her own minister of defense. In the same way, because they are not elected, the leader can fire the minister of defense whenever they are not happy with how they are performing their duties.