Defense Reorganization Act of 1958

The Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958 is a United States federal law which was created to provide for more effective administration for the Department of Defense (DoD). Written and promoted by the Eisenhower administration, it was signed into law August 6, 1958. Its goal was to streamline channels of authority in DoD, and still maintain the authority of the Military Departments. Also provided in this legislation was a centralized research authority the Advanced Research Projects Agency, eventually known as DARPA.

The Act moved decision-making authority from the Military Departments to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. It also strengthened the command channel of the military over U.S. forces from the President to the Secretary of Defense.