TRADOC White Paper – Supporting Homeland Defense
22 April 1999
(1) Threats and Vulnerabilities. This section addresses the changes in post-Cold War era and the threats that face the U.S.. International terrorism, domestic terrorism, conventional attack, and transnational threats are discussed. These provide potential enemies with means of attack against homeland targets. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are discussed as a potential threat.
(2) Responsibilities. Using the homeland defense definition, general military and civil responsibilities are delineated.
(3) The Army’s Role. The Army’s unique capabilities to support civil authorities and its roles are presented. These roles include force protection, support to crisis management, consequence management, protection of critical assets, preemptive strikes against foreign targets, and deterrence/defense against strategic attack. The program of Military Assistance to Civil Authorities is outlined.
uses the National Military Strategy elements of shape, respond and prepare now
as the framework for discussion.
(a). Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. This explains how military intelligence, to include other governmental intelligence agencies, can be used to support the military in preparation for homeland defense. The discussion also includes limitations placed on the military in accordance with civil law.
(b). Domestic preparedness. This section addresses the Army’s support of the interagency training of first responders, the Army medical community training programs, and the Reserve Component’s extensive capability to assist the local and state authorities.
(c). Force protection. Basics of what is force protection.
(d). Critical Asset Assurance Program. This addresses the Army’s the role as DOD’s executive agent for the program. Special emphasis is given to computer information systems and the organizations that are in place to action the protection programs.
(2). Respond. This section addresses the assets that can be utilized in response
to an incident in the homeland. It stresses the actions in the event of a
(a). A detailed explanation of the Military Support Detachment (Rapid
Assessment and Initial Detection) [RAID] gives their capabilities and
(b). Also discussed are the Soldier and Biological Command (SBCCOM),
Technical Escort Unit (TEU), Chemical Biological Rapid Response Team
(CB/RRT) and their roles in a response.
(c). Lastly, there is some detail on the Army Medical Command’s role in
support to casualties and the civilian medical community.
(3). Prepare now. This section uses DTLOMS as a basis for looking at what future actions should be accomplished to prepare the Army for homeland defense responsibilities.
(a). Doctrine. What present doctrine needs to be revised and areas that
e. Appendices. There are five appendices that list key National Guard assets, force protection considerations, Combat Health Services support, key U.S. Army Reserve assets and a list of references used in researching the paper. Also, there is a glossary.