0 - The Black Vault

THE Bf3'M CORPORATION
a Clear and definitive national security policy guidance is
essential for strategic planning. If adequate policy guidance is
not givpn to military planners, they must deduce their own -- as
a necessary starting point. Some former commanders contend that
policy guidance during the pre-1965 era was too general to be
usef.A. Vague or all-encompassing statements ef defeihse policy
objectives are of little help in defense planning. Instead,
goals and alternatives should be made as explicit as feasible and
subjected to frequent scrutiny arn debate. Some have called for
at least an annual review of major unified/specified command
plans by the Secretary of Defer.se and his key assistants to
assure that political assumptions are consistent with national
security policy.56/ Such briefings also would broaden the understanding
of essential policymakeys of actual US military capabilities
and options in the event of crisis or conflict.
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