Revolutionizing Northern Command

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Revolutionizing Northern Command

G. L. McGinnis

USNORTHCOM was chartered by the Department of Defense as a Unified Combatant Command to provide command and control of homeland defense and to provide defense support of civil authorities. Paradoxically though, USNORTHCOM struggles to fulfill its charter within the legal constraints of the federal government. The myriad of legal and political considerations that determine who will command troops when they are sent to respond to a hurricane, wildfire or other disaster still contributes to potential misunderstandings and friction between state and federal authorities. The problem could be more effectively resolved if the Secretary of Defense appointed a National Guard commander for United States Northern Command. Having a National Guard commander that answers to the president, through the Secretary of Defense, with the advice and consent of a bipartisan Council of Governors could substantially improve the unity of effort needed to fulfill federal and state command responsibilities as required under Title 10 and Title 32 United States Code.