The National Security Act of 1947 (Public Law 253, 80th Cong.) and the National Security Act Amendments of 1949 (Public Law 216, 81st Cong.) and 1952 (Public Law 416, 82nd Cong.) have a material effect upon naval administration (appendix A). These acts established the Department of Defense, a new executive department, headed by a Secretary of Defense. The Department of Defense includes three major operating components known as military departments: The Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy (chart A), and the Department of the Air Force. Each is administered as an individual military department under a Secretary appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. As integral parts, however, of the Department of Defense, they are subjected to the direction, authority, and control of the Secretary of Defense. Provision is made, however, for the Secretary of a de

partment or a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to present to the Congress, on his own initiative, after first so informing the Secretary of Defense, any recommendations relating to the Department of Defense that he may deem proper.

To assist the Secretary of Defense in coordinating the efforts of the three military departments, four new agencies were created: The Armed Forces Policy Council; the Joint Chiefs of Staff, including a Chairman and a Joint Staff; the Research and Development Board; and the Munitions Board.

To assist the President in effecting coordination for national security, the acts established the National Security Council, the Central Intelligence Agency (under the National Security Council), and the National Security Resources Board. The organization for national security is shown in chart B.

A summarization of the duties of these several agencies follows.

This Council reports directly to the President for the purpose of advising him relative to the integration of domestic, foreign and military policies pertaining to national security. It has the responsibility to consider, assess and appraise the over-all foreign and domestic situations pertaining to national security and to make recommen

dations to the President on such matters. It also performs additional functions as the President may direct for the purpose of more effectively coordinating the policies and functions of all departments and agencies of the Government in matters relating to national security.

In addition to the President who is a

member of and presides over the Council, its membership is significantly composed of the heads of departments and agencies primarily responsible for various aspects of national security. The law provides the Council shall be composed of (1) the President; (2) the Vice President; (3) the Secretary of State; (4) the Secretary of Defense; (5) the Chairman of the National Security Resources Board; and (6) the Secretaries and Under Secretaries of other executive departments and of the military departments, the Chairman of the Munitions Board, and the Chairman of the Research and Development Board, when appointed by the President by and with the advice

and consent of the Senate, to serve at his pleasure. Thus, in the Council all major considerations affecting national security, including political, economic and military factors, are evaluated as a basis for recommendation to the President.

Normally the Council will draw largely on existing departments and agencies (many of whose heads are included in the Council's membership) for its basic information. Thus, its Secretariat is largely concerned with analysis and correlation of information already available in the Government and the orderly preparation of these data for consideration by the Council.