DoD Strategy for Homeland Security

The Department of Defense this afternoon released its "Strategy for Homeland Security and Civil Support." It was introduced via e-mail press release.

DoD spokesman Lt. Gregory Hicks describes the document as the Defense Department's component of the National Security Strategy of the United States. And, according to the press release:

Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England called the Strategy, “the next significant milestone in reshaping the department’s approach to homeland defense.” England said, “It constitutes the department’s vision for transforming homeland defense and civil support capabilities and will improve significantly the department’s ability to counter threats of the 21st Century.”

The department's vision includes at least one controversial element of Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's approach to military matters, his focus on "agility."

Core Capability: Capable and agile defense intelligence architecture

Protecting the United States against the fullrange of 21st century threats requires the US Intelligence Community to restore its human intelligence capabilities, reprioritize intelligence collection to address probable homeland defense threats, and continue to invest in intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) sensor capabilities. In the Cold War, we knew both the nature of the threat to our country and the source of that threat. Today, intelligence and warning must extend beyond conventional military and strategic nuclear threats to cover a wide range of other state and non‐state challenges that may manifest themselves overseas or at home.

The strategy also alludes to an idea that this journal once described as "the worst idea in human history," the militarization of space.

An active defense also requires the ability to detect and defeat threats from space. This includes the need for capable defenses against ballistic missiles. Ground facilities that support US military space systems are potential targets of attacks, and the Department will protect them.

In laying out the Strategy, the DoD does not pretend that it will be cheap to implement.

Funding Implications

In developing planning and programming guidance to implement the Strategy for Homeland Defense and Civil Support, DoD must assess the fiscal implications of attaining and sustaining requisite core capabilities. Determining the relative costs and benefits of each of the following areas merit immediate attention:

• Expanding communications infrastructure and improving DoD’s ability to share vital information while protecting the integrity of the Global Information Grid;

• Improving intelligence assets to improve overall threat awareness across all domains;

• Developing and procuring advanced technologies to maximize awareness of potential threats;

• Developing the capabilities needed to effectively conduct an active, layered
maritime defense against transnational threats, including CBRNE attacks;

• Implementing DoD’s Defense Critical Infrastructure Protection responsibilities;

• Furthering investments in the research, testing, and fielding of non‐lethal weapons capabilities;

• Providing support for DoD continuity of operations in the event of a national emergency or catastrophe; and

• Transforming the Reserve component for homeland defense and civil support missions.

In the course of implementing this Strategy, the Department must not take on responsibilities and costs for homeland security missions better addressed by other Federal, state, local, or tribal authorities. This will require close cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and other interagency partners.

One hopes that the DoD's concept of funding responsibilities "better addressed" by state, local or tribal authorities matches the concept held by state, local and tribal authorities.

There is much more. Take a look.