Editing Secretary (section)

=== Executive assistant ===

==== Civilian ====
The work of an executive assistant (sometimes called a management assistant) differs a great deal from that of an administrative assistant. In many organizations, an executive assistant is a high-ranking position in the administrative hierarchy. Executive assistants work for a company officer or executive (at both private and public company institutions), and possess the authority to make crucial decisions affecting the direction of such organizations. As such, executive assistants play a role in decision-making and policy setting.  The executive assistant performs the usual roles of managing correspondence, preparing research, and communication, often with one or more administrative assistants or scheduling assistants who report to him or her. The executive assistant also acts as the "gatekeeper", understanding in varying degree the requirements of the executive, and with an ability through this understanding to decide which scheduled events, meetings, teleconferences, or e-mails are most appropriate for allocation of the executive's time.

An executive assistant may, from time to time, act as proxy for the executives, representing him/her/them in meetings or communications and project managing the production of reports or other deliverables in the absence of the executive. An executive assistant differs from an [[administrative assistant]] (a job which is often part of the career path of an executive assistant) in that they are expected to possess a higher degree of business acumen, be able to manage projects, as well as have the ability to influence others on behalf of the executive. In the past, executive assistants were required to have a high school diploma only, but increasingly jobs are requiring a [[bachelor's degree]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Rampell |first=Catherine |date=2014-09-09 |title=The college degree has become the new high school degree |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/catherine-rampell-the-college-degree-has-become-the-new-high-school-degree/2014/09/08/e935b68c-378a-11e4-8601-97ba88884ffd_story.html |access-date=2016-07-06 |work=The Washington Post}}</ref> of any field of study or when complying with educational requirements within their given industry, may require specialized knowledge in a specific fields of study through a bachelor's degree pertinent to the employer's industry or division's role within the organization.

==== Military ====
[[File:P20211006AS-1410_(51760514492).jpg|right|thumb|[[United States Coast Guard]] military aide [[Lieutenant commander (United States)|Lieutenant Commander]] Jayna McCarron, left, serving as part of the [[White House Military Office]] is seen meeting with U.S. President [[Joe Biden]] about [[Medal of Honor]] recipients, Wednesday, October 6, 2021, in the [[Oval Office]]]]
In the [[U.S. Department of Defense]], the title of [[military assistant]] (MA) or executive assistant (EA) is typically held by Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]]s, [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]]s, and senior [[Major (United States)|major]]s and Navy [[Captain (United States O-6)|captain]]s, [[Commander (United States)|commander]]s and senior [[Lieutenant commander (United States)|lieutenant commander]]s who are in direct support of the [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]], [[United States Deputy Secretary of Defense|Deputy Secretary of Defense]] and other civilian defense officials down to the level of a [[Office of the Secretary of Defense|Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense]], as well as [[General officers in the United States|general officers]] or [[flag officer]]s.

The Secretary of Defense also has a [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] or [[Vice admiral (United States)|vice admiral]] as his/her senior military assistant.

Like their civilian counterparts, EAs are also a resource in decision-making, policy setting, and will have leadership oversight of the entire military and civilian staff supporting the civilian official, general officer, or flag officer.  EAs are often interchangeable with other senior military officers of equivalent rank holding the title of chief of staff in other service organizations headed by a flag officer or general officer.  In the case of unified combatant commands and service major commands, the Chief of Staff is often a general officer or flag officer himself/herself, typically at the 1-star or 2-star level, but he or she should not be confused with the 4-star officers holding the title of [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army|Chief of Staff of the Army]] or [[Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Chief of Staff of the Air Force]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130620205218/http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA382504 Military Assistant/Executive Officer Handbook]. Retrieved on 11 June 2013.</ref>