Final answer:
The Secretary of Defense approves and issues an execution order detailing the chosen military course of action to the supporting commander and the Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC).
Step-by-step explanation:
The Secretary of Defense (SecDef) approves and transmits a document known as an execution order to the supporting commander and the Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC) to announce the selected course of action. The execution order delineates the plan for military operations based on the decisions made by the President and the SecDef's guidance. As head of the Department of Defense, the SecDef oversees the many elements of the U.S. armed forces and plays a critical role in the implementation of foreign policy, reporting directly to the President in matters of national security.
The role of the SecDef is fundamentally separate from the uniformed military officers, as the SecDef is a nonmilitary civilian leadership position. In addition, the SecDef works closely with other key foreign policy officials within the Executive Branch, such as the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, to ensure the coordination and execution of the United States' foreign policy and defense strategy.