An Interagency Command for Homeland Protection: Taking the Next Steps to Integrate Defense and Security at the Operational Level

Since September 11, 2001, re-organization within the United States Government has dominated the homeland security agenda. While this strategic focus is required, it has left numerous questions unanswered at the operational level. After four years, these new organizations are still wrestling with fundamental questions that require definitive answers in order to shape an effective homeland security and homeland defense solution. This paper provides an evaluation of the terms defense and security, related interagency perspectives, and recent exercises that highlight operational command and control as a challenge. This review also highlights several inconsistencies that must be addressed before further steps can be taken to streamline an overarching operational construct. Several items are discussed which shape a solution to this interagency command and control problem. Most prominently is the evaluation of pros and cons of an interagency command at the operational level. Further discussions include structure, span of control, leadership, changes to law, duplication of effort, and leveraging other related activities. Recognition of the doctrinal principle of Unity of Command and Unity of Effort, defining the relationship between executive departments, and scoping National Guard involvement frames these discussions. Given the background of U.S. Government restructuring over the past four years, it is clear that the next logical step is integration. This paper recommends the establishment of an Interagency Command to accomplish this integration and provides a notional structure based on the DoDs combatant command construct. Related recommendations are made in the areas of strategic direction, term definitions, law, doctrine as well as training and education.