Analysis of the Military Role in America's Domestic Counterdrug Effort.

Abstract

Over the past few years, Congress has passed legislation to greatly increase the military role in America's domestic counterdrug effort. The Department of Defense (DoD) eventually responded with a comprehensive plan and is now deeply ingrained in the fight. This study explores the formulation of legislation and policy that led to this increased role and, in particular, how it was developed in relation to Posse Comitatus restrictions. It further addresses the type military missions performed and analyzes whether they are appropriate based on select criteria. It concludes that DoD's interpretation of law and policy is flawed with respect to one particular mission type -- ground reconnaissance and surveillance. This border mission inevitably places troops in a confrontational role with drug smugglers, a direct law enforcement scenario unintended by Congress.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 14, 1998
Accession Number
ADA344527

Entities

People

  • Scott Taylor

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Command And Control
  • Department Of Defense
  • Drug Abuse
  • Drug Interdiction
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Health Services
  • Law
  • Law Enforcement
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Surveillance
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

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