U.S. Government Resources: Military and National Security

See more about this topic in the Dickinson Legal Research Resources:
DSL LegalLinks: Air & Space Law
DSL LegalLinks: Military & National Security

9-11 Commission
http://www.9-11commission.gov

SEE: National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States

After the Day of Infamy
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/afcphhtml

Over 200 recorded "Man-on-the-Street" interviews following the attack on Pearl Harbor are documented on this Library of Congress web site.

Air Force Link
http://www.af.mil

Website of the U.S. Air Force. Provides up-to-date articles about information in the news, fact sheets, Air Force history, and a vast amount of other Air Force related information. Links to other governmental and military websites are also provided.

Air University Library Index to Military Periodicals
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/aulimp/index.html

The Air University Library's Index to Military Periodicals, hosted by the Defense Technical Information Center, is a subject index to significant articles, news items, and editorials from English language military and aeronautical periodicals. The Index contains citations since 1988 and is updated continuously. A list of individual journal home pages is included.

Al Qaeda after the Iraq Conflict
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/21191.pdf

A report from the Congressional Research Service about the current state of Al Qaeda after the start of the Iraq conflict.

Bureau of Customs and Order Protection
http://www.customs.gov

Formerly the Customs Department under the Department of Treasury, the CBP is now part of the Department of Homeland Security. As the single unified border agency of the United States, the CBP mission is vitally important to the protection of America and the American people. The web site includes information on exporting, importing, travel, and enforcement.

CBRN Countermeasures Programs
http://www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/sect5.html

Now a resource of the Department of Homeland Security, this program originally was part of the Department of Energy. The CBRN Countermeasures Programs direct exercises and drills of the federal, state, and local chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear response teams. Follow this link to an article that further elaborates the purpose and responsibilities of the CBRN Countermeasures Programs.

Center for Military History
http://www.history.army.mil/

The Center of Military History (CMH) traces its origins back to historians under the Secretary of War, when official data collection pertaining to the Civil War began in 1974. CMH is responsible for the appropriate use of history throughout the U.S. Army. Highlighted features of the site include artwork and images, force structure and unit history, and the history of “history” use in the Army.

CIA World Factbook
http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

The World Factbook is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency for the use of US Government officials, providing national-level information on countries, territories, and dependencies.

Combating the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
http://fas.org/spp/starwars/program/deutch/11910book.pdf

Report of the Commission to Assess the Organization of the Federal Government to combat the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). This link provides the full, in-depth article that establishes the need for such commission, relative findings, and recommendations made to the federal government.

Countering the Changing Threat of International Terrorism
http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/commission.html

This report is from the National Commission on Terrorism, which was established by Section 591 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriation Act, 1999. The Commission was responsible for reviewing the laws, regulations, directives, policies and practices for preventing and punishing international terrorism directed against the United States, assessing their effectiveness, and recommending changes.

CROSS (Customs Rulings Online Search System)
http://rulings.customs.gov

CROSS is a searchable database of U.S. Customs Service Rulings from 1989 to the present.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
http://www.darpa.mil/

DARPA is the central research and development organization for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Department of Defense
http://www.defenselink.mil/

The mission of the Department of Defense is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of the United States. The department's headquarters is at the Pentagon. The mission of DefenseLINK is to support the overall mission of the Department of Defense by providing official, timely and accurate information about defense policies, organizations, functions and operations. Also, DefenseLINK is the single, unified starting point for finding military information on-line.

Department of Homeland Security
http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was established on January 24, 2003, by transforming and realigning 22 previously disparate domestic agencies into one department to protect the nation against threats to the homeland. Component agencies will analyze threats and intelligence, guard the country's borders and airports, protect its critical infrastructure, and coordinate the response of the nation for future emergencies.

Department of State
http://www.state.gov/

The Department of State was established by act of July 27, 1789, as the Department of Foreign Affairs and was renamed Department of State by act of September 15, 1789. The Department advises the President in the formulation and execution of foreign policy and promotes the long-range security and well-being of the United States. It also determines and analyzes the facts relating to American overseas interests, makes recommendations on policy and future action, and takes the necessary steps to carry out established policy. In so doing, the Department engages in continuous consultations with the American public, the Congress, other U.S. departments and agencies, and foreign governments; negotiates treaties and agreements with foreign nations; speaks for the United States in the United Nations and other international organizations in which the United States participates; and represents the United States at international conferences.

Domestic Emergency Support Teams
http://www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/sect4.html

Now part of the Department of Homeland Security, the Domestic Emergency Support Teams is overseen by the Emergency Preparedness and Response directorate. Follow the link for an elaboration on the purpose and responsibilities of this agency within the Department of Homeland Security.

Environmental Measurements Laboratory
http://www.eml.st.dhs.gov/

The Environmental Measurements Laboratory (EML), a government-owned, government-operated laboratory, is part of the Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A descendant of the Manhattan Project, EML was established in 1947. The Laboratory advances and applies the science and technology required for preventing, protecting against, and responding to radiological and nuclear events in the service of Homeland and National Security.

FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists
http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/fugitives.htm

Provides information of the FBI's most wanted terrorists. All the individuals listed have been indicted by sitting Federal Grand Juries in various jurisdictions in the United States.

Federal Computer Incident Response Center
http://www.cirt.doc.gov/

The Federal Computer Incident Response Center (FedCIRC) is the federal civilian government's trusted focal point for computer security incident reporting, providing assistance with incident prevention and response. Effective March 1, 2003, the FedCIRC officially became part of the Department of Homeland Security's Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection (IAIP) Directorate.

Federal Emergency Management Agency
http://www.fema.gov

The Federal Emergency Management Agency - a former independent agency that became part of the new Department of Homeland Security in March 2003 - is tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating against disasters.

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
http://www.fletc.gov

Formerly an agency under the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center is now part of the Department of Homeland Security. The FLETC serves as an interagency law enforcement training organization for more than 75 Federal agencies with personnel located throughout the United States and its territories. The Center also provides services to state, local, and international law enforcement agencies, and on a space available basis, other Federal agencies with related law enforcement missions.

Federal Protective Services
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/index.htm

The FPS provided law enforcement and security services to tenants and daily visitors to federally owned and leased facilities through the nation. All functions of the former Federal Protective Services under the Department of Homeland Security are now part of the reorganized Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

GAO's Special Collections - Terrorism
http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/featured/terrorism.html

Reports from the U.S. General Accounting Office dealing with terrorism.

GAO's Special Collections - Transportation Security
http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/featured/transportationsecurity.html

Reports from the U.S. General Accounting Office dealing with transportation security.

Homeland Security Advisory Council
http://www.dhs.gov/xinfoshare/committees/editorial_0331.shtm

The Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary on matters related to homeland security. The Council is comprised of leaders from state and local government, first responder communities, the private sector, and academia.

Homeland Security Information Center
http://www.ntis.gov/hs

This National Technical Information Service web site offers articles on Homeland Security topics such as biological and chemical warfare, health and medicine, food and agriculture, preparedness and response, and safety training issues.

House Committee on Armed Services
http://armedservices.house.gov

This Committee's responsibility entails the assessment of national defense operations. The web site offers schedules and transcripts of the Committee, as well as bills, reports, and publications.

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
http://oversight.house.gov/

As the Committee on Government Operations, the Committee’s primary function was to study the economy and efficiency of all Government operations. In 1995, reform in the House of Representatives changed the name of this Committee to its present name and expanded its responsibilities to also include the responsibilities of the former Committee on Post Office and Civil Service and the Committee on the District of Columbia.

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
http://intelligence.house.gov/

This bipartisan committee oversees the intelligence collection process to ensure that intelligence resources are used effectively and that the intelligence activities are conducted lawfully. The intelligence collected is then provided to the Intelligence Community to assist in solving various national security problems.

House Select Committee on Homeland Security
http://hsc.house.gov

This Committee's areas of responsibility are: Infrastructure and Border Security; Rules; Emergency Preparedness and Response; Cyber Security, Science, and Research & Development; and Intelligence and Counterterrorism. The web site offers information on legislation, schedules, subcommittees, and more.

Iraq Update
http://usinfo.state.gov/mena/middle_east_north_africa/iraq.html

As part of the Department of State's International Information Programs, this site provides information on Iraq, including fact sheets, reports, maps, statistics and publications.

Military Sentinel
http://www.consumer.gov/military

The Military Sentinal is a joint initiative of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Federal Trade Commission that aims to improve consumer protection for service members and DOD civilians.

National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
http://www.9-11commission.gov

The 9-11 Commission, officially known as the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, was created to prepare a complete account of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and to make recommendations to prevent future such attacks.

National Communications System
http://www.ncs.gov/index.html

Formerly under the Department of Defense, on March 1, 2003, the NCS transferred to the newly established Department of Homeland Security. This single unified system, organized of 23 Federal departments and agencies, serves the critical need for reliable and interoperable telecommunications for the federal government in times of national emergencies.

The National Guard
http://www.ngb.army.mil/default.aspx

The official web site of the National Guard, the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States. Find current information on Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), guard news, fact sheets, pictures, transcripts of speeches, and much more. Access to the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard sites are available from this link.

National Incident Management Team
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm

As part of the Department of Homeland Security, this team provides expert personnel and specialized equipment to a number of federal emergency response entities that deal with nuclear emergencies, nuclear accidents, and nuclear terrorism.

National Security Agency
http://www.nsa.gov

The NSA directs and performs highly specialized activities to protect U.S. information systems and to produce foreign intelligence information.

National Security Archive
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv

The National Security Archive, a non-governmental and non-profit institute, was founded by a group of journalists and scholars. The Archive, located at George Washington University, operates as a research institute on international affairs and as a library collecting and publishing declassified U.S. documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Collections can be searched by keyword or by subject area.

Naval Postgraduate School
http://www.nps.edu/

The NPS offers more than 40 programs, which focus on the study and research that is relevant to the Navy's interests, as well as to the interests of other arms of the Department of Defense.

Navy Newstand
http://www.news.navy.mil/swf/index.asp

This site serves as U.S. Navy's official internal news Web site.

Office of Domestic Preparedness
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/

Upon passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the Office of Domestic Preparedness was transferred to the Department of Homeland Security from the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs. ODP is the primary office responsible to providing training, funds for the purchase of equipment, support for the planning and execution of exercises, technical assistance and other support to assist states and local jurisdiction prevent, plan for, and respond to acts of terrorism.

Office of Electricity & Energy Reliability
http://oe.energy.gov/index.htm

The Department of Energy's OEA supports the national security of the United States by working in close collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, state and local governments, and the private sector to ensure the reliable and secure operation of the Nation's energy systems.

Office of Force Transformation
http://www.oft.osd.mil/index.cfm

The Office of Force Transformation website provides information on the transformation of the U.S. armed forces to meet the technological challenges of the 21st century and the fight against terrorism. Links to conferences, speeches, transcripts, briefings, documents and articles related to the Office are provided.

Office of Homeland Security
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/homeland/index.html

This web site provides information and news updates about the Office of Homeland Security, which is one of the offices included in the Executive Office of the President.

OpenTheGovernment.org
http://www.openthegovernment.org

OpenTheGovernment.org is a non-governmental coalition of librarians, journalists, good government and environmental groups, and labor that fights to keep government information open to the public through alerts, reports and analyses from dozens of groups.

The Patriot Act
http://www.lifeandliberty.gov/

This site from the U.S. Department of Justice provides information on the Patriot Act, including major speeches, responses to common myths about the Act, stories and articles, and a link to the full-text of the Act.

Plum Island Animal Disease Center
http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=19400000

Formerly under the Department of Agriculture, the facilities of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center were transferred to the Department of Homeland Security in June 2003. The Center is responsible for research and diagnosis to protect the nation's animal industries and exports from catastrophic economic losses caused by foreign animal disease (FAD) agents accidentally or deliberately introduced into the U.S.

Protected Critical Infrastructure Information (PCII) Program Office
http://www.dhs.gov/infoshare/programs/editorial_0404.shtm

The Protected Critical Infrastructure Information (PCII) Program Office, formerly the Planning and Partnerships Office (PPO), which was formerly the Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office (CIAO), has been integrated into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection (IAIP) Directorate. The office's primary focus is to raise issues that cut across industry sectors and ensure a cohesive approach to achieving continuity in delivering critical infrastructure services.

Ready.gov
http://www.ready.gov/

This U.S. Department of Homeland Security site provides links to preparing for a terrorist attack, including information on the different types of threats that face American citizens and tips on making an emergency supply kit.

Reserve Affairs
http://www.defenselink.mil/ra/

The RA, as part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, has the responsibility for overall supervision of matters which involve the Reserve components, including the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve.

Secret Service
http://www.secretservice.gov/index.shtml

The primary mission of the Secret Service is the protection of the President and other government leaders, as well as security for designated national events. The Secret Service is also the primary agency responsible for protecting U.S. currency from counterfeiters and safeguarding Americans from credit card fraud.

Selective Service System
http://www.sss.gov/mission.htm

President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 which created the country's first peacetime draft and formally established the Selective Service System as an independent Federal agency. Its mission is to provide manpower to the armed forces in an emergency, and to run an Alternative Service Program for men classified as conscientious objectors during a draft.

Senate Committee on Armed Services
http://armed-services.senate.gov/

The Committee's mission is the comprehensive study and review of matters relating to the common defense policy of the United States.

Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
http://hsgac.senate.gov/

Now known as the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, this committee studies the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of all agencies and departments of the Government. The Committee’s jurisdiction supercedes all other government committees in areas such as budgeting and accounting measures, intergovernmental relations, management of the US nuclear export policy, and many other areas of governmental concern.

Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
http://intelligence.senate.gov/

Monitors and studies the various intelligence activities and programs of the U.S. Government. Submits proposals to the Senate for appropriate legislation and ensures that the government activities are in conformity with the Constitution and laws of the US.

Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act
http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/Relief_Act_Revision/#top

This web site offers information on the Act, which provides certain protections for active and reserve service members.

Sources of U.S. Naval History
http://www.history.navy.mil/sources/index.htm

This site provides links to state sources of Naval history.

Strategic National Stockpile and the National Disaster Medical System
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/stockpile/

The CDC’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has large quantities of medicine and medical supplies to protect the American public if there is a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out.

Transportation Security Administration
http://www.tsa.gov/index.shtm

Formerly under the Department of Transportation, the TSA now is part of the Department of Homeland Security. Its mission is to protect the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.

Treatment of Detainees
http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/special/0306/analysis.htm

This report, The September 11th Detainees: A Review of the Treatment of Aliens Held on Immigration Charges in Connection with the Investigation of the September 11th Attacks, is from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General.

Uniform Code of Military Justice
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ucmj.htm

The UCMJ is the Congressional code of military criminal law applicable to all military members worldwide.

U.S. Air Force Operations Center
http://www.af.mil/opscenter

This Air Force Link site offers news and photographs on the war in Iraq.

U.S. Army
http://www.army.mil

This official web site for the Army provides service news, publications, links, and other resources.

U.S. Army Center of Military History
http://www.history.army.mil/

The CMH is responsible for the appropriate use of military history throughout the U.S. Army. Traditionally, this mission meant that the Center recorded the official history of the Army in both peace and war, while advising the Army Staff on relevant historical matters. The Center also has progressively expanded its active role in the vital areas of military history education, the management of the Army's museum systems, and the introduction of automated data retrieval systems.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
http://www.usace.army.mil

The Corps is composed of both military and civilian engineers and is responsible for providing engineering services to the nation. The USACE plans, builds, and operates water resources and other civil works projects. It also manages the construction of military facilities. The website provides access to USACE regulations, circulars, manuals, and other documents.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Digital Visual Library
http://eportal.usace.army.mil/sites/DVL/default.aspx

This searchable library provides a variety of images from the Corps of Engineers' civil and military programs, projects and events around the world.

U.S. Army: Operations
http://www.army.mil/operations/

The U.S. Army's general link provides information about various different military operations.

US-CERT
http://www.us-cert.gov/

The U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), a partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the private sector, is responsible for protecting the nation's Internet infrastructure by defending against and responding to cyber incidents and attacks across the nation.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

On March 1, 2003, services formerly provided by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) transitioned into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). In support of the DHS overall mission, the immediate priorities of the new USCIS are to promote national security, continue to eliminate immigration adjudications backlogs, and implement solutions for improving immigration customer services.

U.S. Coast Guard
http://www.uscg.mil/default.asp

On March 1, 2003, the Coast Guard formally transferred from the Department of Transportation to the newly-created Department of Homeland Security. As a branch of the Armed Forces, its main responsibilities are search and rescue operations, waterways management, maritime law enforcement and licensing, military readiness, and more.

U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century
http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/nssg/

The National Security Study's Senior Advisory Board has been renamed the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century (USCNS/21). Originally chartered by the Secretary of Defense and supported by both the White House and the Congress, the Board provides the most comprehensive review of American security since the National Security Act of 1947 was signed into law over 50 years ago.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
http://www.armfor.uscourts.gov/

The Court, composed of five civilian judges appointed for 15-year terms, has worldwide appellate jurisdiction over active members of the armed forces and others subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

U.S. Helsinki Commission
http://www.csce.gov/

Provides links and search capabilities for information relating to the Helsinki Final Act. The Act was signed in Helsinki, Finland in 1975 and provides for certain international standards dealing with human rights.

U.S. Marine Corps
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/homepage?readform

The United States Marine Corps, which is part of the Navy, is the smallest of the Nations' combat forces and is the only service specifically tasked by Congress to be able to fight in the air, on land, and at sea. The web site features news, service links, recruitment information, publications, and more.

U.S. Marine Corps News From the Front Line
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/deployed

Current news from the front lines of the war in Iraq.

U.S. Navy
http://www.navy.mil/swf/index.asp

The U.S. Navy's web site provides information and news to the Navy community, the citizens of the United States, and the media.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service
http://www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov/

As the primary law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigates crimes against the nation's mail system. Postal Inspectors are federal law enforcement officers who make arrests and serve federal search warrants and subpoenas.

Washington Headquarters Services
http://www.whs.pentagon.mil/

The WHS provides a variety of operational and support services to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, including financial management and accounting services, civilian and military human resource management, information technology support, facilities management, law enforcement, and legal services.

Women Come to the Front
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/wcf/

This web site offers biographies on female journalists, photographers, and broadcasters during World War II.