The current national security structure of the united states - Essay Example

nsists of both statutory members who are President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense and statutory advisers who are the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Director of Central Intelligence. National security and defense authority rests with the President and the Secretary of Defense as his principal assistant who is responsible for the military departments and their efficient operation. The National Command Authorities (NCA) represented by the President and Secretary of Defense direct the execution of military action and movement of troops.

The Departments of Defense is responsible for maintaining Armed Forces to ensure effective military action, the security of the United States as well as advance of the national policies and interest of the United States. DOD is composed of Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff DOD Staff, 16 Defense Agencies, DOD field activities, military departments and combatant commands. The national security in 21th century was shaken by September, 11 terrorist attacks which questioned the security of U.

S borders and its citizens. World known date altered the vision of national security and since then many changes were set in motion to protect border security and still welcome guests in the U.S. The most difficult thing about these changes was keeping the balance between stronger security and facilitating travel and commerce development. (Rice & Chertoff, 2005) As the border protection must be balanced against the demand for the free flow of commerce, Congress tasked the Department of Homeland Security not only with protecting the borders, but also “ensuring the speedy, orderly, and efficient flow of lawful traffic and commerce.

” (Homeland Security Act) Creation of the Department of Homeland Security along with other important bodies like the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Homeland Security Council, the National Counterterrorism Center, and U.S.