The transfers of cabinet secretaries from one department to another are analyzed from the perspective of progressive ambition as an indicator of departmental prestige. Through the end of 1985, 59 transfers are found. Transfers are more frequent among the generalist inner cabinet departments. However, the frequency of transfers among the outer cabinet departments and between the inner and outer cabinet is sufficient to question the view of outer cabinet as specialists. This supports classifying the secretaries rather than the departments. The obtained prestige hierarchy of departments is similar to the order of succession to the presidency, but with some deviations.
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