Role of the Department of Defense in Supporting Homeland Security

"Homeland security is a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the U.S., reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, minimize damage, and assist in the recovery from attacks. The Department of Defense (DoD) role in homeland security can be summarized as follows: (1) homeland defense, the military protection of United States territory, domestic population, and critical defense infrastructure and assets from external threats and aggression; and (2) civil support, support to U.S. civil authorities for domestic emergencies and for designated law enforcement and other activities. Civil support missions are undertaken by the Department where its involvement is appropriate and where a clear end state for the Department’s role is defined." View file