NATIONAL SECURITY ACT OF 1947
Introduction
This paper discusses the National Security Act enacted in 1947, relevant reasoning behind it, related necessity and the Goldwater Nichols department of defense influences on the Act in 1986. It also discusses the results of the Acts and associated aspects of the national security acts in the United States.
The 1947 national Security act is considered to be the necessary arrangement of military initiatives and structuring of the foreign policy. This act initiated the creation of institutions which were instrumental in development and implementation of international policies and entails the National Security Council which included secretary of defense forces, the president, secretary of the state, the vice president plus other members. The council convenes at the white house to discuss problems of the state and national security issues. The act was able to support the formation of central intelligence agency which acted as principal private intelligence instrument in the government.
The law also generated several changes related to military initiatives, the establishment of National Security Council, conversion of OSS to CIA and creation of defense intelligence agency. The act is the source of “deep state” which entails individuals which are trusted with intelligence information, access and use of this data. The “black ops” funds its functions and the Goldwater-Nichols defense 1986 act amplified relationships in command protocols. The 1986 law placed more power on the obligations of the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; it enhanced joint procurement and restructured personnel inducements to maximize the connection between the services.
The aspect of “jointness” was missing before the 1986 act which is essential in unifying defense and military operations. The jointness can generate uniformity that supports better decision making process and other related aspects.