NCO Common Core Competency and the Defense Support of Civil Authorities

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
(Es Number)
March 24, 2023
(U) WHAT INSIGHTS ARE DERIVED FROM THE US MILITARY RESPONSE TO HURRICANE MARIA TO THE NCO COMMON CORE COMPETENCY (NCOCCC) REGARDING DEFENSE SUPPORT OF CIVIL AUTHORITIES? (U)
The Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Corps is the backbone of the U.S. Army, and the NCO C3 system is an essential element of effective military operations. In defense support to civil authorities (DSCA), NCOs are critical in providing various support and supplementary systems for operations. However, NCOs are also important for training management(Association of the United States Army, 2020). Specifically, NCOs are responsible for implementing the principles of unity of effort and unity of command in DSCA operations, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among military and civilian agencies, and promoting interoperability through joint training and exercises. In line with the "Defense Support of Civil Authorities Case Study," which examines the U.S. military's response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in September 2017, several themes were highlighted for the efficient operational response and preparation of the military during accidents. Specifically, the case study highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with DSCA operations and the critical role of NCOs in supporting these operations. The military response to Hurricane Maria involved various activities, including search and rescue, medical support, logistics, and security operations (PennStateUniversity, n.d.). This efficient wide-scale response reflects the operational competency outlined in TC_7, including Troop Leading Procedures (TLP) and even joint operations with various civilian authorities. This is despite the complex nature of the relief and operations brought about by the widespread devastation caused by the hurricane, the limited infrastructure and resources in Puerto Rico, and the island's complex political and social dynamics. Despite these challenges, the military response to Hurricane Maria was largely successful, partly thanks to the effective use of NCO C3 principles and practices. For example, the military established a Joint Force Land Component Command (JFLCC) to provide command and control for all military activities on the island (Larson et al., 2020). The JFLCC was led by an Army three-star general, who worked closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Puerto Rican government to coordinate the military's response. The JFLCC established Joint Task Force-Puerto Rico (JTF-PR) to oversee all military operations on the island, including search and rescue, medical support, logistics, and security operations. Aside from...