(a) There is an Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) The Assistant to the Secretary shall
(1) advise the Secretary of Defense on nuclear energy, nuclear weapons, and chemical and biological defense;
(2) serve as the Staff Director of the Nuclear Weapons Council established by section
179 of this title; and
(3) perform such additional duties as the Secretary may prescribe.
(c) The Assistant to the Secretary shall be considered an Assistant Secretary of Defense for purposes of section
138 (d) of this title.
