The Citizen-Soldier and Homeland Security in the Twenty-First Century
Abstract
This thesis examines the evolution of the civil-military relations gap that has been exacerbated by the recent attacks against America. It then discusses this new and troubling gap in civil-military relations and the negative implications to the Global War on Terrorism. The thesis then offers the National Guard as a means of narrowing the gap, by linking the people of the community through the state to the federal government, and recognizing that first responders are the key to Homeland Security. This thesis reviews the long and successful history of the National Guard in both warfighting and domestic support to civil authorities from the perspective of an underlying tension that has existed between the citizen-soldier and the professional standing army for more than 350 years. This stressed relationship shaped the laws of our country that define the dual state-federal role of the National Guard. It concludes with recommendations policy makers may consider when preparing for both the internal and external threats from terrorism including the National Guard Counterdrug Support Program, the Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams and post 9/11 National Guard military support to civil authorities (MSCA).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA593151
Entities
People
- Jay A. Brookman
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School