Military Support of Civil Authorities a New Focus For a New Millennium

• NCJ Number: 190523
• Journal: Homeland Security Dated: October 2000 Pages: 1-8
• Author(s): Bruce M. Lawlor
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded September 24, 2001

Annotation

This document describes the role of the Joint Task Force-Civil Support (JTF-CS), which is to provide military support to civil authorities during the aftermath of a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) incident.

Abstract

JTF-CS is located at Ft. Monroe, Virginia. It plans and integrates the Department of Defense (DOD) support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for WMD events. This support involves capabilities drawn from throughout the Department, including detection, decontamination, medical, and logistical assets. In addition, once the Secretary of Defense has ordered military forces to provide assistance to civil authorities, JTF-CS will deploy to the incident site and serve as a command and control headquarters for responding DOD units. At the site of a WMD incident, JTF-CS will work to save lives, prevent injury, and provide temporary critical life support. For years, DOD officials have employed Federal military forces to help State and local officials deal with emergencies. A full-time joint task force is a natural step in the progression in DOD’s method for handling requests for large-scale civil support. However, civil libertarians have expressed fear that a large domestic military deployment will have negative consequences for constitutionally protected individual liberties. And, organizations opposed to the Federal Government are concerned about Federal usurpation of State and local authority. The Secretary of Defense has promulgated four core principles that will govern the JTF’s employment. They should allay many of the critic’s concerns. First, the JTF-CS chain of command and civilian oversight within DOD will be clear. Second, JTF-CS will always work in support of a lead Federal agency. Third, the primary mission of the United States military is first and foremost to fight and win the Nation’s wars. It does not include domestic law enforcement or civil administration nor does it encompass long term recovery or restoration operations. Fourth, JTF-CS will work to promote and take advantage of the unique skills of the National Guard and the Reserves to accomplish this mission.