Index

SEP 15 1996

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHAIRMAN JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

SUBJECT: Department of Defense Responsibilities for Force Protection

The bombing at Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on June 25th highlighted a new form of warfare faced by our forces from terrorists. This incident and others that almost certainly will follow demand an increased emphasis on force protection throughout the Department of Defense. New circumstances require new approaches to the entire scope of how we go about our business. I believe a more centralized focus and clearer lines of responsibility for establishing, coordinating and overseeing force protection are required.

Accordingly, I request that you serve as my principal advisor with responsibility for all force protection matters within the Department of Defense. You should designate an appropriate office to carry out these new responsibilities and ensure that force protection considerations are included in every aspect of our military activities worldwide. I delegate to you the authority to:

• Direct the Joint Requirement Oversight Council (JROC) to address force protection requirements Based on the recommendations of the JROC and the Commanders-in-Chief, report to me your recommendations for force protection programs.

• Review the resources that the Service Secretaries propose for force protection programs to determine whether they are adequate. Advise me of any changes that are needed to meet force protection requirements.

• Review and coordinate force protection programs, including physical security and training for all DoD personnel whether military or civilian, and their dependents, in accordance with policies established by the Secretary of Defense.

The DoD Handbook (DoD Directive 2000.12H) "Protection of DoD Personnel and Activities Against Acts of Terrorism and Political Turbulence," should be a living document, revised on a regular basis to reflect best practices and changing circumstances. As our force protection initiatives are implemented, I would anticipate that you will want to prepare recommendations for appropriate changes to the Handbook, preferably within 90 days.

The threats that our forces face today, and our commitment to improve force protection, will require increased resources to meet them. The entire Department and I will work closely with you and the Congress to ensure that those resources are provided.

William J. Perry

Copy to:

Secretaries of the Military Departments
Under Secretaries of Defense
Director, Defense Research and Engineering
Assistant Secretaries of Defense
General Counsel of the Department of Defense
Inspector General of the Department of Defense
Director, Operational Test and Evaluation
Assistants to the Secretary of Defense
Director, Administration and Management
Directors of the Defense Agencies