The Federation Secretary of Defense is the head of the Federation Department of Defense and the individual in the Federation government who is responsible for running the UFP's defensive forces and coordinating their activities. The Secretary of Defense is a member of the Presidential Cabinet, and has significant influence upon Federation policy. The Federation Secretary of Defense under President Nanietta Bacco of Cestus was Raisa Shostakova of Pangea. (ST novel: Articles of the Federation)