## Department Of Defense Directive

#

## Subject: U.S. Nuclear Command And Control System Support Staff (Nss)

References:
See Enclosure
1. PURPOSE.  This directive:
a. Reissues DoD Directive (DoDD) 3150.06 (Reference (a)) to update the mission, organization and management, responsibilities and functions, relationships, authorities, and administration of the NSS, pursuant to the authorities vested in the Secretary of Defense, as the Nuclear Command and Control System (NCCS) Executive Agent, by National Security Presidential Directive 28 (Reference (b)).

b.  Describes the relationship of the NSS to those DoD Components having responsibilities associated with DoD NCCS functions, in accordance with DoDD S-5210.81 (Reference (c)).

2. APPLICABILITY. This directive applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this directive as the "DoD Components"). 3. MISSION. The NSS monitors and conducts assessments within and among the NCCS
Components on a continuing basis, and facilitates NCCS Component integration, in accordance with direction provided in Reference (b).  Additionally, the NSS provides an annual report, approved by the NCCS Executive Agent, to the President on the state of the NCCS.

## 4. Organization And Management

a.  The President directed in Reference (b) that the Secretary of Defense, as the President's Executive Agent for NCCS, along with the Director, NSS, coordinate the overall management of the NCCS.  The NSS consists of a director and such subordinate organizational elements as are established by the director within assigned resources.


(1)  The Commander, United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), also serves as the Director, NSS.



(2)  The Deputy Director, NSS, is an officer in the grade of Colonel or Captain (grade O-
6) or above, nominated by the Director, NSS, and approved by the NCCS Executive Agent.


(3)  The Director, NSS, selects NSS members.  The DoD provides personnel to be members of the NSS staff.  For reasons of currency in operational experience and technical competency, an appropriate proportion of DoD personnel will be military.  In accordance with Reference (b), the Secretary of Energy, on a priority basis, also provides representatives as members of the NSS staff; and the other NCCS Component heads provide liaison representatives to the NSS.



b.  Administrative support (including funding, facilities, DoD personnel authorizations, information technology, and associated resources or services as may be required to accomplish the mission of the NSS) will be provided, or arranged for, by the Commander, USSTRATCOM.

5.  RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS.  The Director, NSS:
a.  Organizes, directs, and manages the NSS, in accordance with its assigned responsibilities and functions.

b.  Is a member of the Committee of Principals, in accordance with Reference (b).

c.  Ensures that the NSS possesses the capability to monitor and assess the NCCS on a continuing basis.

d.  Ensures that the NSS conducts assessments of the NCCS elements, and facilitates NCCS
integration.

e.  Ensures NSS activities are conducted in conjunction and coordinated with federal departments and agencies having nuclear command and control (NC2) and national crisis response responsibilities.

f.  Pursuant to the requirement in Reference (b), prepares, coordinates, and submits a fiscal year annual report on the state of the NCCS to the NCCS Executive Agent, for forwarding to the President by March 31 of each year.  Coordination of this report includes a side-by-side review of the associated DoD Joint Surety Report.  This side-by-side review should focus on consistency of the information that the DoD provides to the President, while maintaining the existence of independent and competitive reports.

g.  Develops, validates with NCCS Components, distributes, and maintains an NCCS system description reflecting NCCS organization, responsibilities, functions, and operations.


h.  Performs such other duties as may be assigned by the President, the NCCS Executive Agent, or the Secretary of Defense's designated representative.

6.  RELATIONSHIPS
a.  In the performance of assigned responsibilities and functions, the Director, NSS:

(1)  Reports directly to the NCCS Executive Agent, or the Secretary of Defense's designated representative.


(2)  Coordinates with organizational elements of the NCCS Components and, as appropriate, consults with the Department of State and other federal departments and agencies on NCCS-related responsibilities and functions involving U.S. allies and/or alliances.


(3)  As a member of the Committee of Principals, in accordance with Reference (b), provides briefings to, responds to tasks from, and informs the Committee of Principals on NSS activities, as requested.


(4)  Uses existing systems, facilities, and services of the NCCS Components, where possible, to avoid duplication and to achieve maximum efficiency and economy.

b.  The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
(USD(AT&L)) serves as the OSD Principal Staff Assistant for implementation of Reference (b), and for advising the Secretary of Defense on implementation of NCCS requirements within the DoD, in accordance with Reference (c).  In this role, the USD(AT&L), through the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs (ASD(NCB)), facilitates dialog among DoD officials with NCCS responsibilities directed in Reference (c) and oversees the coordination of the DoD response to NSS products.

c.  The DoD Chief Information Officer directs, manages, and provides policy guidance and oversight for the DoD information enterprise that supports DoD command and control.  This includes the communications, information sharing capabilities, and National Leadership Command Capabilities integrating national, strategic, operational, and tactical command and control and communications systems and programs, including support to the White House Military Office in accordance with DoDD S-5100.44 (Reference (d)). 7.  AUTHORITIES.  The Director, NSS, is hereby delegated authority to:
a.  Obtain from the DoD Components, in accordance with DoD Instruction (DoDI) 8910.01
(Reference (e)), and in collaboration with the ASD(NCB), such advice, assistance, reports, and information, in accordance with the policies and criteria of Reference (b) to carry out NSS
programs and activities.


b.  Communicate directly with appropriate officials of the NCCS Components, as necessary, on NSS programs and activities.

c.  Issue NSS memorandums pertaining to NSS responsibilities and functions.

d.  Request information, advice, and assistance from NCCS Components, when necessary to carry out NSS programs and activities.

e.  Act as an original classification authority for matters pertaining to assigned responsibilities and functions under Reference (b) up to Top Secret information.

8.  RELEASABILITY.  **Unlimited**.  This directive is approved for public release and is available on the Internet from the DoD Issuances Website at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives. 9.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This directive:
a.  Is effective May 24, 2013.

b.  Must be reissued, cancelled, or certified current within 5 years of its publication in accordance with DoDI 5025.01 (Reference (f)).  If not, it will expire effective May 24, 2023 and be removed from the DoD Issuances Website.

Ashton B. Carter

Deputy Secretary of Defense Enclosure

References Glossary

## Enclosure References

 (a) DoD Directive 3150.06, "U. S. Nuclear Command and Control System Support Staff,"
August 25, 2006 (hereby cancelled)
(b) National Security Presidential Directive 28, "United States Nuclear Weapons Command
and Control, Safety, and Security," June 20, 2003
(c) DoD Directive S-5210.81, "United States Nuclear Weapons Command and Control, Safety,
and Security," August 8, 2005
(d) DoD Directive S-5100.44, "Defense and National Leadership Command Capability
(DNLCC) (U)," July 9, 2008
(e) DoD Instruction 8910.01, "Information Collection and Reporting," March 6, 2007, as
amended
(f)
DoD Instruction 5025.01, "DoD Directives Program," September 26, 2012


## Glossary Part I.  Abbreviations And Acronyms


ASD(NCB)
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs


DoDD
DoD Directive
DoDI
DoD Instruction


NC2
nuclear command and control
NCCS
nuclear command and control system
NSS
U.S. Nuclear Command and Control System Support Staff


USD(AT&L)
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
USSTRATCOM United States Strategic Command

## Part Ii.  Definitions

 These terms and their definitions are for the purposes of this directive. NC2.  The exercise of authority and direction by the President, as Commander in Chief, through established command lines, over nuclear weapon operations of military forces; as Chief Executive over all government activities that support those operations; and, as Head of State over required multinational actions that support those operations.  The NC2 structure supports the exercise of authority and direction by the President. NCCS.  The combination of facilities, equipment, communications, procedures, and personnel essential for planning, directing, and controlling nuclear weapons, weapons systems, and associated operations. NCCS Components.  Those federal departments and agencies with NC2 responsibilities, pursuant to Reference (b), which include the White House Military Office, the Departments of Defense, State, Energy, Homeland Security, and Justice, as well as the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.