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Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs

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United States
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs
Seal of the Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs
since May 29, 2024
United States Department of Defense
Reports toUnited States Secretary of Defense
AppointerThe President
with Senate advice and consent
Term lengthAppointed
WebsiteOfficial website

The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs, or ASD (HD&HA), is responsible for defense continuity and mission assurance; homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities; Arctic and global resilience; and U.S. defense and security policy for Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.[1]

The position was established by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (P.L. 107-314, passed 2 December 2002). In particular, the ASD (HD&HA) is responsible for homeland preparedness, oversight of the two combatant commands that cover North and South America, and the transfer of technologies to homeland security use, pursuant to Section 1401 of the 2003 DOD Authorization Act.[2] The ASD (HD&HA) reports to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.[3]

Precedent

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At the end of the Eisenhower administration, a wide-ranging federal reorganization (Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958) transferred to the president the civil defense responsibilities and authorities formerly assigned to the Federal Civil Defense Administration. In Executive Order 10952 (signed 20 July 1961), the president delegated these functions to the Secretary of Defense. The SecDef then created the post of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Civil Defense) on August 31, 1961, to help manage these responsibilities. Only one man, Steuart L. Pittman, ever held this post. His term in office ran September 20, 1961 - April 1, 1964, at which time the post was abolished.

The Office of Civil Defense then transitioned to the Secretary of the Army, but responsibility for civil defense was quickly assigned to the new Defense Civil Preparedness Agency (DCPA). After a Carter administration reorganization (Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 19 June 1978) led to the dissolution of DCPA in July 1979, the director of the new Federal Emergency Management Agency assumed responsibility for civil defense.[3] Nevertheless, DoD continued to maintain and develop resources for civil defense, but with dispersed, overlapping, and informal authorities for growing and coordinating them. The ASD (HD&HA) now provides a single point of contact at DoD for FEMA, state and local disaster management agencies, and executive policymakers in the event that these resources need to be enhanced or mobilized.

Structure

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The ASD (HD&HA) is supported by four Deputy Assistant Secretaries (DASDs), each with coverage of a different mission area:

  • Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Arctic and Global Resilience
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Defense Continuity and Mission Assurance (DC&MA)
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Integration & Defense Support of Civil Authorities
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs

DASDs are appointed by the Secretary of Defense. Some are appointed from civilian life, while others are career defense officials. Once at the DASD level, the latter are considered a part of the DoD Senior Executive Service.

The ASD (HD&HA) is also supported by a Principal Deputy, or PDASD, who helps manage the day-to-day operations.

Office holders

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The table below includes both the various titles of this post over time, as well as all the holders of those offices.

No. Assistant Secretary[4] Term SecDef(s) Served Under President(s) Served Under Ref(s)
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
Assistant Secretaries of Defense for Homeland Defense
1
Paul McHale
Paul McHale
(born 1950)		February 7, 2003January 20, 20095 years, 348 daysDonald H. Rumsfeld
Robert M. Gates		George W. Bush[5]
Assistant Secretaries of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs
2
Paul N. Stockton
Paul N. Stockton
(born 1954)		June 1, 2009January 22, 20133 years, 235 daysRobert M. Gates
Leon Panetta		Barack Obama[6]
–
Todd M. Rosenblum
Todd M. Rosenblum
Acting		January 22, 2013September 23, 20141 year, 244 daysLeon Panetta
Chuck Hagel		Barack Obama[7]
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security
3
Eric Rosenbach
Eric RosenbachSeptember 23, 2014July 6, 2015286 daysChuck Hagel
Ash Carter		Barack Obama[8]
–
Thomas F. Atkin
Thomas F. Atkin
Acting		August 1, 2015[9]January 20, 20171 year, 172 daysAsh CarterBarack Obama[10]
–
Peter F. Verga
Peter F. Verga
Acting		January 20, 2017June 21, 2017152 daysJames MattisDonald Trump[11]
4
Kenneth Rapuano
Kenneth RapuanoJune 21, 2017January 20, 20213 years, 213 daysJames Mattis
Mark Esper		Donald Trump[12]
–
Robert G. Salesses
Robert G. Salesses
Acting		January 20, 2021April 29, 202199 daysLloyd AustinJoe Biden[13]
–
Jennifer C. Walsh
Jennifer C. Walsh
Acting		April 29, 2021March 4, 2022309 daysLloyd AustinJoe Biden[14]
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs
5
Melissa Dalton
Melissa DaltonMarch 4, 2022May 29, 20242 years, 86 daysLloyd AustinJoe Biden[15]
–
Rebecca Zimmerman
Rebecca Zimmerman
Acting		May 29, 2024Incumbent204 daysLloyd AustinJoe Biden[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Biography: Rebecca Zimmerman". Defense.gov.
  2. ^ "CNP Elects former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Paul McHale to Board of Directors". Centerfornationalpolicy.org. May 18, 2009. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Department of Defense Key Officials" (PDF). Historical Office, OSD. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  4. ^ "Department of Defense Key Officials: September 1947–March 2022" (PDF). Historical Office - Office of the Secretary of Defense.
  5. ^ "Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Paul McHale". www.defense.gov.
  6. ^ "Paul N. Stockton". LinkedIn.
  7. ^ "Defense.gov Biography: Todd M. Rosenblum". October 12, 2013. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013.
  8. ^ "Eric Rosenbach". www.defense.gov.
  9. ^ https://www.c-span.org/person/thomas-atkin/9277694/
  10. ^ "Tom Atkin". LinkedIn.
  11. ^ "Biographies". Archived from the original on February 11, 2017.
  12. ^ "Kenneth P. Rapuano". www.defense.gov.
  13. ^ "Robert G. Salesses". www.defense.gov.
  14. ^ "Jennifer C. Walsh". www.defense.gov.
  15. ^ "Melissa G. Dalton". www.defense.gov.
  16. ^ "Rebecca Zimmerman".
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