The Domestic Security Command -- The Evolution of U.S. Northern Command
Abstract
The United States lacks the capability to effectively achieve whole nation situational awareness and accomplish intergovernmental, interagency, and multidisciplinary planning and response in the homeland. United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were established in the post-9/11 environment to address this issue, but they should now be reevaluated to ascertain whether they truly provide the appropriate framework to facilitate the nation's needs. This thesis contends that USNORTHCOM can provide the military component of homeland defense, security, and response, but it must evolve to become a coalition of organizations that, together, truly facilitate a whole nation approach to defense and security. USNORTHCOM should evolve away from a traditional military-centric Combatant Command towards an integrated Homeland Defense and Security Command (DSC) that effectively melds Department of Defense (DoD) elements, selected Department of Homeland Security components, and National Guard organizations while also providing for connectivity to states and their governors. The resultant DoD-DHS-NGB coalition organization would be better able to secure, defend, and support the U.S. homeland.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA547950
Entities
People
- Kristine L. Shelstad
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School