Army's Counterintelligence Role in Homeland Defense

This thesis examines how the Army's counterintelligence elements currently conduct and could legally increase operations against domestic threats in support of homeland defense. It reviews the joint view of terrorism as the dominant threat to American security and the Army's view of domestic threat based on current doctrine. This thesis suggests combining joint threat indicators with the threat and criminal categories used by Army counterintelligence and law enforcement. Once combined, a new model would yield a hierarchy of threat groups or criminal categories ranging from terrorist group organizers and supporters to the common criminal. The thesis also examines current legal guidance for conducting counterintelligence in support of domestic operations. Army counterintelligence is usually prohibited from conducting activities that cross into the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; a few exceptions are allowed to support military operations. When exceptions are allowed, strict parameters are outlined and only for a short duration. With the Army's increased and continuous role in homeland defense, a review of restrictive procedures is necessary. Research suggest that a need exist for a more definitive and systematic process for conducting such activities. Conclusions and recommendations are provided for improving Army counterintelligence support to homeland defense operations. The objective of this thesis is to provide additional insight toward this goal and generate new concepts and ideas for future research.