The Responsibilities and Authority of the Secretary of Defense
Dennis AuBuchon
October 03, 2009
The Department of Defense was created in 1947. The mission is identified as an organization created to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country. Today this job is more difficult than ever with the world as it is today. The mission identified above is a simple one but an important one. There is another mission which goes along with the one identified above. The additional mission is that of supporting the troops and their families. We often forget about the military families who must live their daily lives while those in their family that serve us either on our own soil or those in a foreign land. The Department of Defense is not alone in the quest to protect the security of our country. Together with the Department of Homeland Security and others it is a vital link in keeping our country safe.
This department while it is the primary support organization for all our troops in all the services who serve to protect us it is not the only one. There are many fine organizations that support our troops and their families. It must be realized that like our troops their families are also making sacrifices. The sacrifices of our troops and their families should never go unnoticed and should never be forgotten. If I have my way it never will. I highly respect our troops and the sacrifices they and their families make for us every day. This article is primarily about the mission and authority of the Department of Defense. We must remember who makes up this department and keeps it working to support our troops. I am talking about the civilian employees of the department.
There have been times where discussions that take place do not necessarily project an atmosphere of support. The actual intent may be to actively support our troops but many discussions project a different picture whether it is right or wrong is not for me to decide. These discussions are not limited to any specific political party but involve private citizens and government officials whose job it is to support our troops in their needs. I honestly believe in their hearts that our elected officials support our troops. Civilian personnel in all agencies are there to support the needs of all our troops. Being a government employee sometimes is not a popular profession in which to be but I am here to tell you the civilian employees of the government are there and perform their duties with the utmost dedication to duty. These individuals are often forgotten but they with their military counterparts should not be forgotten ever.
While I am not going to go into many of the details of this department I will present the need to support the Secretary of Defense and all the troops who serve under him. Today there are two areas of conflict being fought, Iraq and Afghanistan. These conflicts are currently not popular with the American people but the troops serving in these dangerous areas need all the support of the people and Congress. Many times there are concerns by Congress as to the need for the budget requests that are made. Though there are current economic constraints Congress should provide the necessary funding to furnish any needed equipment and gear that will help protect our troops and keep them safe while they serve us. All branches of service fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense such as the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, National Guard, Coast Guard and the reserves. While states have some involvement with the National Guard having a relationship with the Department of Defense helps to collectively address any security threats our country may encounter. While each branch of service has their own mission statement they support the overall mission of the Department of Defense.
In closing this article I wish to acknowledge the ultimate sacrifices made by those who have made the decision to serve in one of the branches of the military. In such times as these it is important to have dedicated individuals who want to serve our country and put their lives on the line every day when they serve in dangerous areas. The mission and objectives of this department should always be at the top of the priorities of this country. The support and respect I have for this department and the military and civilian personnel can be seen in other articles I have written. Some of them are identified below and can be found on the American Chronicle web site and others.
A tribute to our troops and their families/
A tribute to all heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Respect for heroes at their time of burial.
Remembering those who have lost their lives during times of conflict.
We can disagree with decisions made by this department or the President it is what makes us a great country. This disagreement though should not have any bearing on whether we support our troops and their families. Let us inform our government officials that we support our troops and that they should support them through their actions and decisions they make. Congress does have the right and responsibility to examine proposals for appropriations for each department of the government. With this responsibility they must make the right decisions when it comes to the safety and security of our troops and the country. I ask that readers of this article keep abreast of legislation involving this department and when you support legislative proposals let your elected government officials know. It is always important to communicate with our senators and representatives whether it involves actions for this department or any other. We must let our voices be heard.
This department while it is the primary support organization for all our troops in all the services who serve to protect us it is not the only one. There are many fine organizations that support our troops and their families. It must be realized that like our troops their families are also making sacrifices. The sacrifices of our troops and their families should never go unnoticed and should never be forgotten. If I have my way it never will. I highly respect our troops and the sacrifices they and their families make for us every day. This article is primarily about the mission and authority of the Department of Defense. We must remember who makes up this department and keeps it working to support our troops. I am talking about the civilian employees of the department.
There have been times where discussions that take place do not necessarily project an atmosphere of support. The actual intent may be to actively support our troops but many discussions project a different picture whether it is right or wrong is not for me to decide. These discussions are not limited to any specific political party but involve private citizens and government officials whose job it is to support our troops in their needs. I honestly believe in their hearts that our elected officials support our troops. Civilian personnel in all agencies are there to support the needs of all our troops. Being a government employee sometimes is not a popular profession in which to be but I am here to tell you the civilian employees of the government are there and perform their duties with the utmost dedication to duty. These individuals are often forgotten but they with their military counterparts should not be forgotten ever.
While I am not going to go into many of the details of this department I will present the need to support the Secretary of Defense and all the troops who serve under him. Today there are two areas of conflict being fought, Iraq and Afghanistan. These conflicts are currently not popular with the American people but the troops serving in these dangerous areas need all the support of the people and Congress. Many times there are concerns by Congress as to the need for the budget requests that are made. Though there are current economic constraints Congress should provide the necessary funding to furnish any needed equipment and gear that will help protect our troops and keep them safe while they serve us. All branches of service fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense such as the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, National Guard, Coast Guard and the reserves. While states have some involvement with the National Guard having a relationship with the Department of Defense helps to collectively address any security threats our country may encounter. While each branch of service has their own mission statement they support the overall mission of the Department of Defense.
In closing this article I wish to acknowledge the ultimate sacrifices made by those who have made the decision to serve in one of the branches of the military. In such times as these it is important to have dedicated individuals who want to serve our country and put their lives on the line every day when they serve in dangerous areas. The mission and objectives of this department should always be at the top of the priorities of this country. The support and respect I have for this department and the military and civilian personnel can be seen in other articles I have written. Some of them are identified below and can be found on the American Chronicle web site and others.
A tribute to our troops and their families/
A tribute to all heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Respect for heroes at their time of burial.
Remembering those who have lost their lives during times of conflict.
We can disagree with decisions made by this department or the President it is what makes us a great country. This disagreement though should not have any bearing on whether we support our troops and their families. Let us inform our government officials that we support our troops and that they should support them through their actions and decisions they make. Congress does have the right and responsibility to examine proposals for appropriations for each department of the government. With this responsibility they must make the right decisions when it comes to the safety and security of our troops and the country. I ask that readers of this article keep abreast of legislation involving this department and when you support legislative proposals let your elected government officials know. It is always important to communicate with our senators and representatives whether it involves actions for this department or any other. We must let our voices be heard.
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