DOD Organization Mission & Organization of the Armed Forces

Reading Assignment Naval Officer’s Guide, Chapter 12

Learning Objectives The student will know . . . (1) the current organization and missions of the Department of Defense, and the relationship of this organization to the Armed Forces, the National Security Council, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and unified and specified commands. (2) the major missions of the US Army, US Air Force, and US Coast Guard

Learning Objectives The student will know . . . (3) the major organizational components of the US Army, US Air Force, and US Coast Guard (4) the mission and organization of the U.S. Merchant Marine as an element of Nat’l Defense preparedness (5) the role of commissioned officers as members of the US Armed Forces and know the obligations and responsibilities assumed by taking the Oath of Office, accepting a commission, and the constitutional requirement for civilian control.

Learning Objectives The student will know . . . (6) the concept of command and control as exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned forces in the accomplishment of a mission. (7) the concepts of naval command and control within the Armed Forces (8) the chain of operational command from the National Command Authority to the platform commander.

DOD Organization The DOD was created by the National Security Act of 1947. (Shortly after the end of WWII.) It was established as an executive department of the government by the National Security Act Amendments of 1949. Headed by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF)

DOD Organization Three primary provisions of the amendments: Establishment of 3 military departments (Army, Navy, Air Force) under the SECDEF Organization of each military department under its own secretary Establishment of unified and specified commands.

DOD Organization Intent of the National Security Act and its amendments: Increase civilian control of the Armed Forces to be consistent with Constitutional requirements Eliminate unnecessary duplication Provide more efficient inter-service cooperation Provide a unified strategic direction of the Armed Forces

DOD Organization Missions of the DOD: To support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies Protect the United States, its possessions, and areas vital to its interests Advance the policies and interests of the United States Safeguard the internal security of the United States

The Secretary of Defense The Office of SECDEF was created by the National Security Act of 1947 as the successor to the Secretary of War. SECDEF is the principal defense policy advisor to the President Responsible for the formulation of general defense policy

The Secretary of Defense Who holds this office today?

The Secretary of Defense Who holds this office today? The Honorable Robert M. Gates

The Joint Chiefs of Staff Established informally during WWII and was modeled after the British Chiefs of Staff. National Security Act of 1947 made this a permanent agency.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Appointed by the President from the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps The principal military advisor to the President, NSC, and SECDEF. This person may not exercise military command over the JCS or any of the armed services.

Joint Chiefs of Staff

Unified and Specified Commands Allow for joint operations between the armed services. In other words, we can effectively combine forces. The National Security Act requires that each service must coordinate to fulfill certain specific combat functions.

Unified Commands composed of forces from two or more services has a broad and continuing mission normally organized on a geographic basis Ex. US CENTCOM

Specified Commands also have a broad and continuing mission organized on a functional basis normally made up of forces from a single service and a functional basis. (ex: Forces Command is primarily an Army command)

Operational Commands Used for direction of actual combatant forces Consist of task groups, task forces, etc. Normally change as one deploys

Operational Chain of Command

Administrative Commands Provide support for the operational forces Normally located in CONUS because they provide at-home support

Administrative Chain of Command

US Army: Mission & Functions A “Force Projection” Army Primary mission To prepare land forces for war To fight our country’s wars and win

US Army: Mission & Functions Three phases or elements in an Army operation: Mobilization (Active and Reserve Units) Deployment Operational Operations may or may not involve conflict OOTW - Operations Other than War Disaster relief, drug interdiction, fighting forest fires, etc.

US Army: Mission & Functions Functions of the US Army Organize, train, and equip forces for land- combat operations designed to defeat enemy land forces, seize and occupy land areas Provide air defense units to defend friendly territory from air attack Coordinate for joint amphibious operations with other services Conduct special operations

US Army: Mission & Functions Functions of the US Army Develop doctrines, procedures, and plans in conjunction with other services engaged in airborne operations Train and provide occupational forces and establishment of military government Provide humanitarian relief during national disasters

US Army: Mission & Functions Functions of the US Army Assist civilian communities during disturbances Assist with civic action programs

US Army organizational components Basic branches Infantry Armor Field artillery Air defense artillery Aviation Special Forces Corps of Engineers Signal Corps Military Police Corps Military Intelligence Civil Affairs Adjutant General Corps Finance Corps Chemical Corps Ordnance Corps Quartermaster Corps

US Army organizational components Special branches Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG) Chaplain Corps Medical Corps Dental Corps Veterinary Corps Nurse Corps Medical Specialist Corps Medical Service Corps

US Army organization Secretary of the Army (Civilian) Staffs Office of the Chief of Staff General Staff Special Staff Army Reserve National Guard

US Army Tactical Organization From smallest to largest: Squad (4 - 10 individuals) Platoon (2 or more squads, led by LT) Company (2 or more platoons, led by CAPT) Battalion (2 or more companies, led by LCOL) Brigade (2 or more battalions, led by COL, BGEN) Division (up to 15 battalions) Corps (largest tactical unit)

US Army Organization

US Air Force Missions Strategic aerospace offense Strategic aerospace defense Counter air Air interdiction (AI) Close-air support (CAS) Airlift Aerospace surveillance and reconnaissance Aerospace maritime operations

US Air Force Strategic aerospace offense The objective is to neutralize or destroy an enemy’s war-sustaining capabilities or will to fight. Attacks directed against an enemy’s key military, political, and economic power base. (Example: NATO vs. Yugoslavia in Kosovo)

US Air Force Strategic aerospace defense Integrate aerospace warning, control, and intercept forces to detect, identify, and destroy enemy forces attacking our nation’s war- sustaining capabilities or will to fight. SAD forces provide warning and assessment of strategic attack to the NCA through extensive network or warning sensors, both on the earth’s surface and throughout aerospace.

US Air Force Counter Air Objectives are to gain control of the aerospace environment. Offensive Counter Air (OCA) Suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) Defensive Counter Air (DCA)

US Air Force Air Interdiction (AI) The objectives are to delay, disrupt, divert, or destroy an enemy’s military potential before it can be brought to bear effectively against friendly forces.

US Air Force Close-air support (CAS) Support ground operations by attacking hostile targets near friendly ground forces. Requires detailed coordination with friendly forces.

US Air Force Special Operations Influence accomplishment of strategic or tactical objectives through low-visibility, covert ops. Conducted in enemy-controlled areas

US Air Force Airlift Deploy, employ, and sustain military forces through transportation of men, equipment, & supplies. Combat missions Air drop Extraction Air landing of ground forces & supplies into combat

US Air Force Airlift Combat support missions Logistics support transportation of personnel & equipment Two perspectives of airlift Strategic: Inter-theater Tactical: Intra-theater

US Air Force Aerospace surveillance & reconnaissance Collect information from airborne, orbital, & surface-based sensors. Reconnaissance ops directed toward localized or specific targets.

US Air Force Aerospace maritime ops Neutralize or destroy enemy naval forces Protect friendly naval forces & shipping

US Air Force Organization

US Coast Guard Newly defined role under The Department of Homeland Security – cabinet level – Pres. Bush est. this department in response to Sep 11th terrorist attacks.

US Coast Guard Missions Enforcement of all maritime laws and treaties Search and rescue (SAR) Enforcement of national anti-drug policy Maintenance of all aids to navigation Ice-breaking operations Scientific research projects Environmental cleanup & control

US Coast Guard Missions, cont’d. Fulfill any military function as directed Boating safety in inland lakes & waterways Military reconnaissance (wartime) Safeguard ports & harbors Investigation of marine disasters in domestic waters (TWA Flight 800, JFK Jr.) Instruct general public on boating safety

US Coast Guard organization

U.S. Merchant Marines Mission Augment overseas lifting capabilities of the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps personnel, equipment and stores. Organization – Maritime Administration (MARAD) – part of DOT MARAD administers the officer training program at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Possible test questions What act of Congress created the DoD? What are the SECDEF’s responsibilities? Who makes up the JCS? What is a unified command? Specified command? What is the mission of the Army? Air Force? Coast Guard? What are some of the functions of the Army? Air Force? Coast Guard?

Paper/Presentation Guidance 5 to 6 minutes, ppt, ovhd etc….acceptable Overview of paper – hit the main points and be ready to answer questions – Paper – As per syllabus – What, when why, who, where… Content – get into what happened (sequence of events), why it happened, could it have been prevented (be careful here), what was the outcome… Strategic Implications…..