Graduated Mobilization Response: A Key Element of National Deterrent Strategy
Abstract
On 15 September 1987, the National Security Advisor to the President made development of a mobilization doctrine and system based on graduated response to early warning one of the seven priority National Security Emergency Preparedness (NSEP) goals to be achieved by 1989. In the classic construct, mobilization is the act of preparing for war or other emergency through assembling and organizing national resources. It is the process of marshalling industrial, economic, infrastructure, human, and government resources needed to support responses to national security threats and domestic crises. The purpose of Graduated Mobilization Response (GMR) is to provide the National Command Authorities a range of political, economic, and military options that will assist in the management of a national security crisis. These options are designed with two goals in mind: first, to improve deterrence and avoid war; and second, to prepare for war should it come. From the mid 1950's to the late 1970's national security policymakers probed worst case scenarios like a nuclear attack on the U.S., or a short warning attack on NATO Europe. Such narrow strategic thinking left no opportunity for capitalizing on America's vast economic strength. It also ignored more likely crises, including: natural disasters or terrorism which could destroy substantial portions of our defense and economic infrastructure, a sudden requirement to support an ally or client state in a conflict, a need to respond to technological breakthrough or abrogation of arms control treaties, and other wartime scenarios like: a small, short war; a small war of indefinite length; along, major war with early warning.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA196069
Entities
People
- Paul E. Taibl
Organizations
- National Defense University