Preparing Military Officers for Effective Service in an Inter-agency Environment

This thesis evaluates, through the lens of the 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Act, training and assignment policy alternatives for expediting the development and deployment of military officers to fill billets requiring interagency expertise. Using United States Northern Command as a case study, it examines these policy alternatives and proposes Joint Mission Essential Tasks that might form the basis for required training and education. It proposes the establishment of a Homeland Defense College and suggests that military officers be awarded credit for joint tours through service with non-DOD agencies. The thesis argues that uniformed service resistance to expanded DOD/inter-agency engagement should be anticipated. Mitigating measures are suggested based extensively upon a conceptual framework for successful military innovation developed by Terry C. Pierce.