What is the purpose of our Department of Defense? To say simply that the Department of Defense is responsible for maintaining the security of our Nation against attack seems like an extreme understatement, when we consider what is involved. Actually, all the freedom-seeking peoples of the world are looking to the military strength of the United States as a stabilizer in the cause of peace. Moreover, our military strength must be maintained during peacetime, without using up too much of our resources-without bankrupting our economy. On the other hand, we dare not be weak militarily for the sake of economic strength. alone.

How strong are we? The limits of our national strength-now and in the future-must be evaluated.

How strong must we be? To determine this involves a study of the major political powers of the worlda study of their potential strength today, 2 years from today and even 20 years from today. This study involves such factors as: the size, physical features, and

location of each nation; its climate, people, natural resources, industry, and political and social make-up. Changeable factors must be reevaluated continually. Which of these powers are likely to be friendly? Which might be aggressors?

The mobilization and functions of reserve military forces, farmers, laborers, and industries in a national emergency must be planned, as well as the stockpiling, conservation, and use of materials.

The kinds and quantities of weapons to buy, maintain (and later discard as obsolete or worn out) must be determined.

How much of our time and wealth should be spent in preparing for defense against atomic warfare, biological warfare, and psychological warfare?

When (if ever) will an enemy attack with military forces? Where? How many men will he have? What kinds of weapons will he use? What forces will go to

cutting down the attacker and going on to end the threat to our safety? Which nations will actively help us, and how will they help? How can our Armed Forces best be equipped, trained, and coordinated to be ready at any time to hold and turn back an aggressor?

Answers to all these questions, and to many more, must be used in planning a stable, long-range military policy. Then, into this plan must be fitted the roles of each of the Armed Services of the United States. It must be agreed how each force will assist the others in carrying out predetermined tasks.

Defense Department Must Answer. Our Department of Defense is responsible to the people of the United States for helping to obtain the best possible solutions to many of these problems.

The Armed Forces of the United States must be developed to the maximum effectiveness consistent with the economic stability of our Nation. They must help give us the relative security we need until the time when lasting peace is actually guaranteed.

How is Our National Security Program Organized?

Today, the immediate responsibility for the military security of the United States is primarily in the hands of the Secretary of Defense. He acts under the direction of the President who, under the Constitution, is Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces and responsible for final decisions on broad military problems. Other advisers to the President on such matters are the National Security Council, assisted by the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Office of Defense Mobilization. Let's examine the mission and duties of these important advisory groups. (See chart on page 10.)

The National Security Council brings together and evaluates foreign, domestic, and military policies relating to national security and advises the President about these matters. This integration enables the military Services and the other departments and agencies of the Government to cooperate more effectively in matters that involve the national security. The Council is something new in our history. It studies the objectives, commitments, and risks of the United States in

relation to both our actual and our potential military power.

It is composed of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Director of the Office of Defense Mobilization (ODM), and the Director of the Foreign Operations Administration (FOA). The Council's staff of assistants is headed by a civilian executive secretary appointed by the President. Certain other members may be appointed to the Council by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Under the direction of the Council, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) coordinates intelligence activities of Federal agencies concerned with national security. Its principal duties are (1) to advise the National Security Council on national security intelligence activities of Federal departments and agencies and (2) to evaluate and disseminate national security intelligence. By interpreting information about foreign. forces and domestic activities that might be a threat to the country, and providing facts upon which the National Security Council and other governmental agencies can base plans and policies, this agency may be able to prevent-or at least minimize the effects of -another "Pearl Harbor."

The Office of Defense Mobilization (ODM) advises and assists the President in the coordination of military, industrial, and civilian mobilization. The

civilian director, appointed by the President, has, of course, a staff of specialists to help in carrying out his functions; and he may appoint special advisory

committees.

The Office of Defense Mobilization has an extraordinary responsibility. It must help determine the availability and most effective present and future use of manpower, raw materials, manufactures, electric power, fuel, transportation and communications facilities, and other resources. In other words, it must develop policies and programs for balancing the total resources of our Nation against the total military and civilian requirements. The Office of Defense Mobilization is charged also with developing policies and conducting programs for stockpiling and conserving strategic and critical materials, and for separating and dispersing key industrial, service, Government, and economic activities for their security.