A Road Map for National Security: The Intersection of the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense
Abstract
The country remains in transition because of the tragic events of 9/11: the Federal Government, the U.S. military, and the American way of life are in transformation. Four years after September 2001, homeland security experts continue realigning a new department and defining the roles and responsibilities of 22 combined legacy federal agencies and 188,000 employees. Likewise, a dozen years after the Cold War, defense experts continue determining the most important features of the national strategic landscape. During this period of adjustment, Americans have reasonable expectations that law enforcement will secure their homeland and warfighters will defend this great nation. However, the author contends that U.S. leadership will only meet these expectations through a shared strategic vision for securing and defending the future. This project reviews the roles and responsibilities of the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense as legislated by the United States Congress and articulated in the President's "National Security Strategy" and supporting strategies. It then examines the intersection of homeland security-homeland defense missions as one department provides a law enforcement capability and the other a warfighter capability -- each to secure the U.S. homeland and defend the nation. Finally, this analysis recommends the development of a shared plan for orchestrating homeland security and national defense.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 06, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA448441
Entities
People
- Michael J. Pitts
Organizations
- United States Army War College