- the senior officer of the U.S. Army or Air Force, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, responsible to the secretary of a service branch.
- the senior or principal staff officer in a brigade or division or higher unit in the U.S. Army or Marine Corps, in a numbered unit in the U.S. Air Force, or in a unit in the U.S. Navy commanded by a rear admiral or one of higher rank.
- the senior officer in command of a general staff, especially that of the military forces of a nation.
- the head of any staff: the chief of staff for the First Lady.
- the senior staff officer under the commander of a major military formation or organization
- the senior officer of each service of the armed forces
