Defense Support of Civil Authorities

This paper researches DoD policy regarding employing military forces and capabilities in support of civil authorities. Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) is well codified as a DoD mission. However, only DoD policy allows DoD forces to be employed in support of civil authorities when requested, approved by the President or SecDef, and if available. DoD policy restricts the services from attaining any forces or capabilities solely for the purpose of DSCA. Forces for DSCA missions must come from any combat forces available at the time of request. This paper highlights the fricition DoD policy creates in DSCA mission execution and offers potential recommendations for improvements.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.