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China's Military Modernization: Determining the Level of Threat
"U.S. military planners have a wide range of views concerning the threat posed by China. It is difficult to determine the true extent of this threat by listening to Chinese rhetoric that is often vague or misleading. Conversely, a great deal of insight concerning the Chinese military and the threat it poses can be gained by focusing on their military modernization programs. As opposed to government rhetoric, the modernization process, and its resultant capabilities, provide the warplanner with a long term, factual picture of the threat against which U.S. forces must be prepared to defend. The purpose of this paper is to develop an accurate assessment of the threat posed by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) through an analysis of their military modernization program. This paper also examines U.S. strategy considerations that may be considered in order to counter Chinese capabilities and threats."
Naval War College (U.S.)
Howard, Donald T.
2000-05-16
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Can Force Protection and Theater Engagement Plans Peacefully Co-Exist in Countries with a High Terrorist Threat
"Based on President Bush's Inauguration Speech, the strategy of engagement will continue to be the foundation of U.S. foreign policy as it is enunciated in the National Security Strategy and the National Military Strategy. Since the national policies have not fundamentally changed with a new administration, it is incumbent on the military to adapt force protection procedures to permit the military to achieve successful engagement with high terrorist threat countries, thereby meeting the goals of the Unified Commander's Theater Engagement Plan. The terrorist attack on the USS COLE (DDG 67) was yet another 'defining moment' or 'watershed event' in the three successful terrorist attacks on U.S. military targets that started with the Marine Barracks, Beirut terrorist attack in 1983 and continued with the Khobar Towers Air Force facility terrorist attack in 1996 in bringing to the forefront of the nation's attention the national policy of engagement and generated an increased demand for force protection. The misguided solution to this problem would be to disengage from developing countries and focus engagement on other countries in the region in an attempt to shape the region. I will explore the policy of engagement and the three terrorist attacks to show that engagement is too important to quit and through better force protection the U.S. military can successfully conduct this policy."
Naval War College (U.S.)
Nolan, John P.
2000-05-16
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Component-Based Engagement... An Argument for the Baltics
U.S. Peacetime Engagement within the USEUCOM theater AOR, specifically those occurring within the Baltic region (Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania) may gain better results if a different approach to activities execution is taken. By linking the various peacetime engagement activities to a specific USEUCOM component, in this case NAVEUR and MARFOREUR, as principle planning and execution authorities the result would provide the CINC and his staff with a focused, well balanced, regional and country specific engagement program. Baltic State characteristics, both individually and regionally, lend themselves to a naval (maritime & littoral) response. In addition to the suggested component-based engagement approach, various other program management measurements are recommended to maximize both Baltic region, peacetime engagement activities and U.S. security.
Naval War College (U.S.)
Day, James A.
2000-05-16
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Defending Taiwan: U.S. Pacific Command's Deterrent and Engagement Options
China's military modernization, especially of its missile forces, will soon require the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) to seek proactive alternatives to carrier battle groups in order to continue to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan. China's asymmetric niche in missile forces requires a determined effort to ensure the balance of power is not tipped to one side. Due to the military, social, and political change ongoing in the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC), the next crisis across the Taiwan Strait may be less stable than the last one in 1996. As long as the PRC is in a transitional state toward democracy, the propensity for conflict is greater than if the government was stable. This must be closely watched. USPACOM must lead the way in calling for missile defense systems for U.S. forces and for our allies. In the interim, the objective of deterrence must be achieved through credibility, communication, and coercion when it is necessary. This can only be accomplished by increasing the current level of Sino-U.S. military engagement. A sustained program of more bilateral exercises, military-to-military contacts at decreasing levels of seniority, and service school educational opportunities can be a positive approach to shaping the future of Sino-U.S. relations. By proving to the PRC that the United States is not a paper tiger, U.S. strength would serve as a credible deterrent to Chinese aggression across the Taiwan Strait. In this case, time is on the side of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The United States must be ready and able to provide that time.
Naval War College (U.S.)
David, Gerral K.
2000-05-16
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Maintaining Interoperability with Smaller Asian-Pacific Nations through Effective Theater Engagement
"This paper examines the prospects for maintaining interoperability with smaller coastal nations of the Asia-Pacific region through peacetime military engagement. Drawing on examples from Southern Command as well as Pacific Command, the author argues for continued engagement with these smaller nations, focusing on preparations for military operations other than war (MOOTW). This approach has the potential to improve interoperability at the low end of the spectrum, where we are most likely to work with coalition partners in operations such as noncombatant evacuation, maritime interdiction, protection of vital shipping lanes, and other missions important to national security. A larger "low-end" contribution by coalition partners will enable our primary combatants to focus on their war-fighting mission. Research revealed that CINCPAC is conducting varied and aggressive engagement efforts with many nations in his Area of Responsibility. Chronic problems with incompatible communications appear to be a significant obstacle to interoperability with potential coalition partners in the region. The U.S. Coast Guard, Special Operations Forces, and the National Guard's State Partnership Program offer CINCPAC cost-effective tools for a sustainable engagement program."
Naval War College (U.S.)
Schott, John A.
2000-05-16
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Multilateralism, a More Effective Operational Approach to Asia-Pacific Security
From the thesis abstract: "United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) has the mission to enhance security and promote peaceful development in the Asia-Pacific region by deterring aggression, responding to crises, and being ready to fight to win both today and in the future. USPACOM's emphasis is on military activities that assist in building coalitions and shaping the international environment to protect and promote U.S. interests. USPACOM accomplishes this mission primarily through bilateral security relationships with nations in and around the USPACOM area of responsibility. This paper uses the operational factors of space, forces, and time to assess whether a multilateral rather than a bilateral approach would benefit USPACOM's mission accomplishment. Possible multilateral activities/operations were derived from threat analysis and the USPACOM Theater Engagement Plan. Bilateral and multilateral aspects of these activities/operations were then compared using operational factor elements from all three operational factors, space, forces and time. The analysis shows that while there are opportunities to improve USPACOM interoperability through increased multilateral interaction in search and rescue, peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations, bilateral interaction should remain USPACOM's primary means of mission accomplishment."
Naval War College (U.S.)
Steuber, George W.
2000-05-16
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Missile Technology Control Regime, American Theater Ballistic Missile Defense Efforts And CINC Planning In The Middle East and South Asia
The United States is expending billions of dollars to obtain reliable antiballistic missile defenses (ASM) at the theater and national levels. The new defenses are designed to meet the expanding threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) delivery by missile on the American homeland, American forces overseas, and American allies. The U.S. argues that the development and deployment of ABM defenses is aimed at rogue states, e.g., North Korea, Iran, Iraq, or Libya. The new defenses are designed to be limited and not designed to counter a strike by owners of large missile forces, i.e., Russia or China. At the same time, the U.S. is a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), an international agreement designed to reduce the existing proliferation of ballistic missile (BM) capabilities and to contain existing capabilities at present levels. Unfortunately, many allies do not share U.S. concerns for BM proliferation, Russia and China doubt America's professed reasons for ABM defenses, and the MTCR has been unable to prevent the spread of more effective BM technology in the Third World. This all plays a large role in American defense planning, including at the level of the regional commanders in chief of U.S. forces (the CINC's) This paper reviews the BM growing threat, the limits of the MTCR, and the impact of both on the regional CINC's.
Naval War College (U.S.)
Cuadroado, Joseph F.
2000-05-15
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National Guard Weapons Of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team - Structured For Success Or Failure?
The National Guard Bureau, following the publication of the Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996, and the 1998 Department of Defense Plan for Integrating National Guard and Reserve Component Support for Response to Attacks Using Weapons of Mass Destruction, created the Military Support Detachment-Rapid Assessment and Initial Detection (MSD-RAID) team to assist in the consequence management of incidents involving weapons of mass destruction. The mission of the MSD-RAID, recently renamed the Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST), is to assess a suspected nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological event in support of a local incident commander; advise civilian responders regarding appropriate action; and facilitate requests for assistance to expedite the arrival of additional state and federal assets to help save lives, prevent human suffering, and mitigate great property damage. The National Guard has fielded twenty-seven of these teams and eventually plans to establish one in every state and territory.
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Taylor, James E.
2000-05-15
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Future of Armed Resistance: Cyberterror? Mass Destruction?
In May, 2000, a conference organized by the Center on Terrorism and Irregular Warfare of the Naval Postgraduate School, with the assistance of the Centre de Recherche sur les Menaces Criminelles Contemporaines of the University of Paris (II) convened to examine the decision making process that leads sub-state groups engaged in armed resistance to develop new operational methods. The conference was particularly concerned to understand whether such groups would engage in cyberterrorism, including the conditions under which they might try to cause mass disruption of information systems. The conference was unprecedented in that its participants included former and active members of terrorist groups, as well as a hacker, to offer perspectives on new security measures and initiatives.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for the Study of Terrorism and Irregular Warfare
Tucker, David
2000-05-15
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Amphibious Assault: An Arrow Best Left in the Operational Commander's Quiver?
Naval superiority in the amphibious operating area is a fundamental prerequisite for amphibious assault. The U.S. Navy can no longer realistically expect to wrest such naval superiority from many of its potential foes. Today's Navy must be prepared to dominate multiple, distant theaters while adversaries need only defend their own backyards. U.S. forces must dominate the littoral battlespace, while the enemy may only need to disrupt, delay or demoralize to succeed. This asymmetric nature of littoral warfare undermines the expectation that today's naval forces can achieve naval superiority in the face of the modern, multidimensional coastal defenses of potential adversaries such as North Korea or China. Today's naval leadership is shaping the Navy after Next to dominate the littoral battlespace of the year 2030. However, the threat that anti-ship missiles and submarines pose to today's amphibious task force has not received adequate scrutiny. As a result, today's naval forces are not training the way they will fight. Amphibious exercises do not realistically acknowledge the submarine and missile threats. During most exercises these threats are notional at best, and often simply assumed away. The assumption that the submarine and missile threats will be completely eliminated prior to an amphibious assault is no longer reasonable. Today's operational commander should therefore table contingency plans that rely upon an opposed amphibious assault. Table them until we begin to train, game and exercise the way we will be forced to fight. Table them until the ability to achieve naval superiority in the amphibious operating area is explicitly demonstrated-not implicitly assumed.
Naval War College (U.S.)
Johnson, Stephen J.
2000-05-15
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Where's the Lift? Critical Operational Logistics Limitations on the Use of the Merchant Marine for Military Sealift in Times of Crisis
"The United States military is highly dependent upon the merchant marine to contribute to filling the operational logistics requirements associated with strategic sealift. With a continuing decline of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the U.S. is increasingly reliant upon foreign-flag ships and crews to serve this function. Countries such as China are making a concerted effort to improve their maritime industries, and there is an ever-increasing percentage of Chinese ships and other nationality-flag ships with Chinese crews sailing the high seas. Such significant resources would naturally be unavailable to the United States in the case of a conflict with China or one of its allies. The risk of insufficient lift capabilities for an operational commander to execute his plan in that case could be unacceptably high and must be managed. There have been a number of measures taken over the past two decades and additional measures are proposed to enhance the U.S. Merchant Marine so that it will be available for national security needs. Programs such as the Maritime Security Program, the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement, and the National Security Sealift Enhancement Act are key to preserving the viability of the U.S. Merchant Marine in a competitive international environment. It is vital for the U.S. military leadership to support these measures to ensure sufficient reliable sealift resources in the long term. In the near term, it is vital to realistically assess merchant marine sealift capabilities and their impact on warplans, and incorporate potential capability limitations into operational planning, specifically operational logistics."
Naval War College (U.S.)
Bobbin, Sarah E.
2000-05-15
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Nature of Future Intelligence Organizations
From the thesis abstract: "This monograph identifies the essential characteristics and capabilities of intelligence organization structures for an army force that is global, rapidly deployable and capable of executing fall spectrum military operations in joint and combined environments. It identifies these characteristics and capabilities by tracing the evolution of military intelligence organization structures over the past decade. It examines lessons learned from deployments to Somalia, Bosnia and Haiti as well as observations from Division Advanced Warfighting Experiments (DAWE) to determine causes of recurring problems related to intelligence organizational design. This monograph proposes a traditional, matrix and virtual models as potential intelligence organization structures. It analyzes each model's strengths and wea[kn]esses, identifies essential characteristics, and assesses applicability of each relative to future environmental influences specific to offense, defense, stability and support operations. These environmental influences are stability, complexity and diversity. They are important considerations because they often necessitate changes in organizational design."
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Pacher, Leo R.
2000-05-15
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S. Rept. 106-292: Authorizing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001 for Military Activities of the Department of Defense, for Military Construction, and for Defense Activities of the Department of Energy, to Prescribe Personnel Strengths for Such Fiscal Year for the Armed Forces, and for Other Purposes, Report together with Additional and Minority Views to Accompany S. 2549, May 12, 2000
This bill would: (1) authorize appropriations for (a) procurement, (b) research, development, test and evaluation, (c) operation and maintenance and the revolving and management funds of the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2001; (2) authorize the personnel end strengths for each military active duty component of the armed forces for fiscal year 2001; (3) authorize the personnel end strengths for the Selected Reserve of each of the reserve components of the armed forces for fiscal year 2001; (4) impose certain reporting requirements; (5) impose certain limitations with regard to specific procurement and research, development, test and evaluation actions and manpower strengths; provide certain additional legislative authority, and make certain changes to existing law; (6) authorize appropriations for military construction programs of the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2001; and (7) authorize appropriations for national security programs of the Department of Energy for fiscal year 2001.
United States. Government Printing Office
2000-05-12
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Environmental Security Engagement: A Role for the Reserve Component
"The Reserve Component is an excellent source of personnel to accomplish most environmental security missions. With power projection platforms of the Active Component, the Reserve Component provides the experienced personnel on-the-ground to successfully complete engagement activities in environmental security. The Reserve Component has unique capabilities with established military expertise, environmental technical experience from civilian occupations, and political negotiation experience gained over years of participation in local community politics. All of these factors combine to provide a force of unique and excellent credentials to fulfill the environmental security role of the Department of Defense."
Army War College (U.S.)
Rensema, Timothy R.
2000-05-12
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Medical Support to the Kenya Embassy Bombing, A Model for Success or a Platform for Reform?
"On 7 August 1998 at 1035 local time, a truck bomb detonated outside the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. In concert with a similarly timed bomb in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, 220 persons, including twelve Americans, lost their lives. The Federal Government launched a massive effort to provide medical care to injured US citizens and return them to US facilities in Europe and America. This response effort, although heroic on the ground by immediate responders, was fraught with delays and confusion. Fortunately, the quality of the care in Nairobi saved lives and minimized morbidity. This paper looks at disaster medical support from historical and organizational perspectives, and reviews in detail the medical response effort to the Nairobi bombing. Following the bombing, an Accountability Review Board systematically outlined major deficiencies in the overall response effort. The medical problems identified in this review, and others, serve as a focus of the recommended changes and preparations needed for the next terrorist bombing. Failure to critically look at the issues and interagency cooperation in the response effort will lead to repetition of the problems found in Nairobi and ultimately, the unnecessary loss of American lives."
Army War College (U.S.)
Geiling, James A.
2000-05-12
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Manning and Training Guidance for Fast Rescue Boats on United States Vessels
"This Circular publishes the Coast Guard's policy for the manning of vessels equipped with fast rescue boats and for the training of mariners assigned to such craft. It defines fast rescue boats and identifies the ships required to carry them under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, and its Protocol of 1978, as amended (SOLAS 74/78). It also summarizes the knowledge and skills that a mariner must demonstrate to obtain the endorsement for fast rescue boats on the certificates issued under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended."
United States. Coast Guard
2000-05-11
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Applicability of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act to Vacancies at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Memorandum for the General Counsel, Department of the Treasury [May 11, 2000]
"The United States Executive Director and the Alternate United States Director at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are not part of an Executive agency, and therefore vacancies in those offices are not covered by the Federal Vacancies Reform Act."
United States. Department of Justice. Office of Legal Counsel
2000-05-11
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Granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Status to China: Is it in the U.S. National Interest? Hearing Before the Committee on International Relations, House of Representatives One Hundred Sixth Congress, Second Session, May 10, 2000
On May 10, 2000, the House of Representatives Committee on International Relations convenes to discuss and hear testimony on Granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Status to China. Congressional testimony comes from Christopher Cox of California and Sander Levin of Michigan. Outside testimony is submitted by We Jingsheng, Sandra Kristoff of New York Life International, Inc., Mike Jendzejczyk of Human Rights Watch/Asia, Nicholas Giordano of the National Pork Producers Council and on behalf of the National Association of Wheat Growers, Steve McFarland of the US Commission for International Religious Freedom, and the Reverend Daniel Su of the China Outreach Ministries, Inc. Chairman Gilman explains that "this will be one of the most important trade votes of the 106th Congress" and that the decision "will send a powerful message determining China's role in the global economy and in the community of nations for years to come." He expresses concerns regarding China's trade track record, China's problem of prison labor, and China's proliferation practices. Ranking Minority member Gedjensen states that "it is clear that in other trade agreements, the United States has long ignored human rights, the situation for labor and environmental standards. The question for us is how do we best move forward on those principles that are so central to this democratic society." For Mr. Bereuter, "the most important fact is that the approval of PNTR is clearly in our national interest." Expert testimony ranges over different views on PNTR for China with significant debate.
United States. Government Printing Office
2000-05-10
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S. Hrg. 106-706: United Nations: The State of Its Efficacy and Reform: Hearing before the Subcommittee on International Operations, Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Second Session, May 10, 2000
S. Hrg. 106-706: This hearing addresses the administration's assessment of how well the U.N. can demonstrate that it is making a difference without having a system within the U.N. monitoring and evaluation. Senator Grams remarks, "The U.N. undertakes numerous activities on social, economic, and political affairs, but the Secretariat cannot reliably assess whether these activities have made a difference in people's lives and whether they have improved situations in a measurable way." The hearing also addresses the progress of reform in the peacekeeping area, particularly in relation to the situation in Sierra Leone, and the impact of PDD-71, under which the administration is agreeing to endorse an indefinite U.N. commitment to govern distressed nations, from sewage to social services to setting up judiciaries, when we commit to supporting peacekeeping operations. Statements, witnesses and submissions for the record include those of: Rod Grams, Harold Jim Johnson, Tetsuo Miyabara, David Welch, Jesse Helms, and Barbara Boxer.
United States. Government Printing Office
2000-05-10
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Defense Acquisitions: Decisions on the Joint Strike Fighter Will be Critical for Acquisition Reform, Statement of Louis J. Rodrigues, Director, Defense Acquisitions Issues, National Security and International Affairs Division, Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
This General Accounting Office report discusses the application of best commercial practices to Department of Defense weapon acquisitions in general and to the Joint Strike Fighter in particular. After having done hundreds of reviews of major weapon acquisitions over the last 20 years, GAO has seen many of the same problems recur - cost increases, schedule delays, and performance problems. Over the last 4 years, GAO has undertaken a body of work to examine weapon acquisition issues from a different, more cross-cutting perspective. Specifically, GAO has examined the best product development practices of leading commercial firms. Collectively, its reviews have included the practices of over 20 leading commercial firms that represent a variety of industries, including electronics, satellite communications, automotive, medical, and aircraft. Leading commercial firms are getting the kind of results that DOD seeks: more sophisticated products developed in less time and cost than their predecessors. GAO's work shows that DOD can learn valuable lessons from the commercial sector to get better and more predictable outcomes from weapon system development programs. DOD has taken steps to reflect best commercial practices in its acquisition policies. However, the real test of these policies is in how they influence individual decisions, such as the upcoming engineering and manufacturing development decision on the Joint Strike Fighter program. This program is to produce three fighter variants to meet multiservice requirements: conventional flight for the Air Force, short take-off and landing for the Marine Corps, and carrier operations for the Navy.
United States. Government Accountability Office
2000-05-10
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National Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Initiative: Overview and General Information about the Initiative
As part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) 1999 Bioterrorism Initiative, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was designated to lead an effort working with governmental and non-governmental partners to upgrade the nations' public health capacity to respond to bioterrorism and establish a Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program (BPRP). Critical to success of the BT Initiative is to ensure capacity is developed at federal, state, and local levels. This document covers the accomplishments of 1999 and the priorities for 2000.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
National Center for Infectious Diseases (U.S.). Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program.
2000-05-08
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Interoperability and Supportability of National Security Systems, and Information Technology Systems
This instruction: Establishes policies and procedures for the J-6 interoperability requirements certification of mission need statements (MNSs), Capstone Requirements Documents (CRDs), and operational requirements documents (ORDs) required by reference a; Details a methodology to develop interoperability key performance parameters (KPPs) derived from a set of top-level information exchange requirements (IERs) as required by reference a and based on the format and content of the integrated architecture products described in the C4ISR Architecture Framework (reference h); Establishes policies and procedures for the J-6 supportability certification of command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) support plans (C4ISPs); Establishes policies and procedures for the J-6 interoperability system validation.
United States. Joint Chiefs of Staff
2000-05-08
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Serial No. 106-89; Serial No. 106-83: Joint Hearing on H.R. 3661, to Help Ensure General Aviation Aircraft Access to Federal Land and to the Airspace Over that Land: Joint Hearing before the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands and Subcommittee on Forest and Forest Health of the Committee on Resources, U.S. House of Representatives and Subcommittee on Aviation of the Committee on Transportation, One Hundred Sixth Congress Second Session, April 6, 2000
On April 6, 2000 the House of Representatives holds a Joint Hearing on H.R. 3661, to Help Ensure General Aviation Aircraft Access to Federal Land and to the Airspace Over that Land. The Joint Hearing is held before the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands and Subcommittee on Forest and Forest Health of the Committee on Resources. Testifying are David Alexander, Robert Barrett, Phil Boyer, Steve Durtschi, Pat Shea, and Barton Welsh. Chariman Hansen explains how HR 3661 "ensures general aviation access to back country airstrips by establishing a nationwide policy for governing airstrips on Federal land and assuring that they cannot be closed until a public process has been completed and approval given by the FAA and State Aviation Boards." Mr. Duncan adds that the bill "would give pilots and other users an opportunity to be heard before the landing site is closed or taken away from them." He explains that "these landing strips serve several important functions. They can be used as a base of operations for search and rescue missions, firefighting, and aerial landing. More important, they can provide a safe landing site for pilots in times of trouble."
United States. Government Printing Office
2000-05-06
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Disaster Mitigation Assistance Bills in the 106th Congress: Comparison of Provisions [May 5, 2000]
"The Administration initiative to shift federal emergency management policy away from a 'response and recovery' emphasis has generated little congressional controversy, although some have raised concerns about the cost effectiveness of implementing a mitigation strategy. Greater attention, it is generally argued, should be given to mitigation (loss reduction) efforts before disasters occur in order to reduce future losses. Legislation (H.R. 707, S. 1691) pending before the 106th Congress would amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act) which authorizes federal assistance when the President declares that a catastrophe has overwhelmed state and local resources. Some future disasters may be prevented, or their impact lessened, by taking action beforehand. State and local governments have lowered disaster costs by retrofitting buildings in earthquake zones, elevating structures in floodplains, revising and enforcing building codes, or modifying land use plans. Advocates of the legislation seek to support these and other mitigation efforts. H.R. 707 and S. 1691 would amend the Stafford Act to shift federal policy toward predisaster hazard mitigation. Both bills contain three titles, share an overall intent, and contain roughly similar provisions. Title I of each bill stresses the need to prepare for disasters and to take mitigative steps, and includes new authority for predisaster hazard mitigation grants. Title II of each bill would amend Stafford Act provisions concerning administrative reimbursement and facility repair and replacement authority. Also, private nonprofit organizations would need to apply for Small Business Administration loans before applying for Stafford Act assistance to repair or replace damaged facilities. Title III in both bills consists of miscellaneous changes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith
2000-05-05
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Framework for Domestic Engagement
In 1934 Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger outlined four criteria for a strategic framework that would "weigh the use of United States combat forces abroad." Although Weinberger's framework was designed for international commitment of military power, the scenario this paper reviews is the involvement of military forces in response to a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) on American soil. This paper reviews the applicability of the Weinberger criteria to provide a framework for evaluating the commitment of United States military forces in a domestic engagement. 1. Is the incident a national security issue? This paper provides a cursory analysis of the risk of a domestic WMD incident, and the threat that this event would pose to national security. 2. Do American citizens support the use of military forces in response to the incident? Present laws, statutes, and presidential directives provide a basis for military support to civilian law enforcement agencies in certain circumstances, but these special circumstances require careful consideration to ensure they meet the intent of the law and do not violate the Posse Comitatus Act of 1873. 3. Does the United States military have the right force for the lob? In response to a WMD, wielded against an American community, the United States armed forces may be the only entity capable of providing massive and immediate consequence management support. 4. Does the military have a clear exit strategy? With this criterion we define the end-state for military involvement and examine current disengagement strategies.
Army War College (U.S.)
2000-05-05
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Service User Manual for the Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) System
"The Service User Manual for the Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) System provides reference information on the TSP Program and detailed procedural instructions for TSP service users. This manual is structured into the following six chapters accompanied by three appendices. 1) Chapter 1, Introduction, provides general information on the TSP Program, and this manual's purpose, authority, and applicability. 2) Chapter 2, TSP Program Overview, provides background information on the TSP Program, details the TSP process, provides information on the priority levels and qualifying criteria, and outlines the roles and responsibilities of the participants who administer and use the TSP Program. 3) Chapter 3, TSP Request Process, presents an overview of restoration and provisioning priority assignments, the TSP Service User Form (SF 315), and how to make changes to the TSP Program service information. 4) Chapter 4, Federal Sponsors and Invocation Officials, discusses the responsibilities and designations of these appointed TSP officials. 5) Chapter 5, TSP Revalidation Process, provides details on the TSP Revalidation Form (SF 314). 6) Chapter 6, Priority Action Appeal Process, provides details on the responsibilities of the service user, the Office of Priority Telecommunications, the Federal Communications Commission, and the completion of the Appeal Form (SF 317). 7) Appendix A provides the TSP Program contact information. 8) Appendix B contains the following TSP forms: SF 314, 315, and 317. 9) Appendix C contains the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) codes for Federal organizations with NS/EP responsibilities."
National Communications System (U.S.). Office of the Manager
2000-05-05
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Final Exercise Report: St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant [February 16, 2000]
From the Executive Summary: "On February 16, 2000, a full participation, plume exposure pathway exercise was conducted in the emergency planning zone (EPZ) around the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region IV. The purpose of the exercise was to assess the level of State and local preparedness in responding to a radiological emergency. This exercise was conducted in accordance with FEMA's policies and guidance for offsite preparedness exercises. The most recent exercise at this site was conducted on March 18, 1998. The qualifying emergency preparedness exercise was conducted February 10-12, 1982, at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant. The State of Florida, Risk Counties of Martin and St. Lucie, and Host Counties of Indian River, Brevard and Palm Beach participated in the St. Lucie Exercise. [...] The State and local organizations demonstrated the knowledge of, and the ability to implement their emergency response plans and procedures. There were no Deficiencies and only one Area Requiring Corrective Action (ARCA) identified as a result of this exercise. One prior ARCA issued for MERL [Mobile Emergency Radiological Laboratory] procedures from the 1998 St. Lucie exercise was resolved during the Crystal River exercise conducted on October 14, 1998."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2000-05-05
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Legislative Hearing on H.R. 4210: Preparedness against Terrorism Act of 2000: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, United States House of Representatives One Hundred Sixth Congress, May 4, 2000
The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony on H.R. 4210, a bill to amend the Robert T. Stafford Act to update Title VI of the Act and to provide coordination for federal efforts with regard to preparedness against terrorist attacks in the United States. H.R. 4210, introduced by Mrs. Fowler and Mr. Traficant, amends the Stafford Act to reflect emerging threats from terrorism and cybertechnology. It also establishes an office within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) to coordinate government-wide efforts for improving domestic preparedness against terrorist attacks. The Office of Terrorism Preparedness (OTP) will be responsible for creating a national strategy for preparedness, which will eliminate duplication of efforts and define an end state for preparedness. The OTP will exercise limited budgetary authority over each agency's programs, basing funding decisions on accomplishing the goals of a defined national strategy. It will also assist state and local emergency responders in navigating the federal preparedness programs. Moreover, it will eradicate duplicative government functions and identify waste, fraud and abuse through oversight of the agencies it coordinates. This hearing contains GAO/T-NSIAD-00-172, "Combating Terrorism: Comments on Bill H.R.4210 to Manage Selected Counterterrorist Programs". Statements include those of the following: Gary Marrs, Stan McKinney, Ray Alfred, Charles Cragin and Norman J. Rabkin.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
2000-05-04
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Political Partisanship and the Professional Military Ethic: The Case of the Officer Corps' Affiliation with the Republican Party
"A recently published survey on civil-military relations revealed that a large majority of military officers claim an affiliation with the Republican Party. The finding suggests that officers have violated their professional ethic by abandoning the tradition of political neutrality. This paper first examines the reasons for the Republican bias, which include the conservatism of the GOP vis-à-vis the Democratic Party and institutional changes within the military. Second, it assesses the effect of the Republican bias on officer professionalism. I argue that the officer corps' voting preference does not constitute partisan activity and is not, by itself, harmful to professionalism and civil-military relations."
National War College (U.S.)
Betros, Lance A.
2000-05-04
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Combating Terrorism: Comments on Bill H.R. 4210 to Manage Selected Counterterrorist Programs, Statement for the Record of Norman J. Rabkin, Director, National Security Preparedness Issues, National Security and International Affairs Division, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives
GAO believes that H.R. 4210--the Terrorism Preparedness Act of 2000--would address the fragmentation and duplication that GAO and others have found in programs to combat terrorism. The bill would create a new Office of Terrorism Preparedness to centralize leadership and coordination of federal programs to help state and local governments prepare for terrorist incidents involving weapons of mass destruction. However, the duties of the new office, as described in the bill, may overlap with some duties of the newly created National Domestic Preparedness Office. In GAO's view, success in achieving the bill's goals depends on the ability of the Office head to build consensus among the involved agencies. Also, the new office may take some time to accomplish its objectives presented in the bill.
United States. General Accounting Office
2000-05-04
