How can the United States Best Prepare its Army Federal Troops to Respond Quickly to Future National Emergencies Within the United States

It is time that Congress, DOD and the Army end the confusion surrounding the usage of Federal troops within the United States and that they create an effective strategy for the timely integration of Federal forces with local and state efforts after a natural or man-made disaster occurs. This thesis lays out five major recommendations for policy makers. First, the Federal military must learn to efficiently support the National Guard, rather than prepare to assume their duties and responsibilities. Second, the Posse Comitatus Act, in its current form, has outlived its usefulness. The PCA must be updated to distinguish between combat and non-combat Federal forces. Third, a domestic War Powers Act is needed to lower the partisan politics surrounding the usage of Federal troops, while establishing checks and balances to prevent Presidential abuse. Fourth, Congress should spell out in clear language the dominant role local and state authorities have in responding to disasters. Federal organizations cannot respond fast enough to fill this role. Last, the Army must designate the Combined Arms Center (CAC) as the Army proponent for Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations, and make CAC responsible for managing all DOTMLPF related issues.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.