Homeland Security, A Primary Army Function
Abstract
This paper will explore new Army requirements based on the September 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review's guidance. The paper is based on the assumptions that: (1) end strength may increase but only enough to fill Army authorizations (around 530 K) and (2) a draft is not politically acceptable at this time. In particular, the paper examines force structure requirements to support homeland security-related requirements in an extended war against terrorism. Questions this paper explores: What are the likely homeland security tasks the Army will be supporting? To better support civil authorities, do Army forces need to be apportioned to a yet-to-be-named CINC for homeland security? What are the legal impediments to providing this support (e.g., Posse Comitatus Act)? If apportioned, do units need a new METL that supports HLS missions? Finally, what are the force structure impacts, if any? This paper will show that the Army should apportion forces for homeland security and give them new missions, force structure, and doctrine. However, the Army, which includes the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve, faces a conundrum because it must also retain its focus on fighting the Nation's land battles--the unique capability the Army provides the nation. Homeland security functions will likely be assigned to the Army National Guard but the National Guard must still retain a critical role in reinforcing or augmenting active forces during sustained land combat. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to recommend doctrinal changes and a new force-sizing construct that would help the Army meet both the requirements of homeland security and sustained land combat.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA401072
Entities
People
- Patrick J. Donahue Ii
Organizations
- United States Army War College