The U.S. Military Should Not Become "Team America: City, County, State, Hurricane, Earthquake, Flood, and Riot Police"
Abstract
Images of desperate and helpless Americans dying and looting in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina caused ordinary citizens and high-ranking government officials to question if the federal and state emergency preparation and response systems should have done more. An active duty Marine could only watch as fellow Americans suffered the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, and its aftermath, with the relief efforts constrained supposedly by the Posse Comitatus Act (PCA). Critics would have the Act amended or repealed to alleviate the perceived problems. Instead of repealing the PCA, the U.S. Government should ensure that federal, state, and local planning and decision making are integrated and that the most appropriate force is deployed. In the days following Katrina, President George W. Bush stated that he wanted a "broader role" for the military in response and support to domestic disasters. As a result, Congress, the Armed Services Committee, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) were tasked with preparing proposals. However, these proposals and recommendations will not repeal the PCA; instead, they will honor the PCA. In fact, in October 2005, the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, told Representative Ike Skelton (D-MO) of the House Armed Services Committee that the Pentagon has no plans to propose changes to the PCA. The Basis for the Secretary's position rests in an understanding of the PCA and its history.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 07, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA498999
Entities
People
- G. A. Hanweck
Organizations
- Marine Corps University