Does the Army Need a Homeland Security Skill Identifier?

This thesis answers the question "Does the Army Need a Homeland Security Skill Identifier?" It uses a qualitative discussion format that incorporates literary data from historical Homeland Security documents, current National Strategies, DOD Joint Publications, and Army Regulations and Field Manuals. This research is augmented by reviews of Congressionally-mandated panel reports, Homeland and National Security panels, and journal articles regarding the DOD role in Homeland Security. Further, subject matter experts from U.S. Army North, National Guard Bureau, and Department of the Army-Human Resources offer relevant and contemporary analysis of interview questions offered by the researcher. The study analyzes what a skill identifier is and what it does; what are Homeland Security educational competencies; and where are the requirements and authorizations for these competencies distributed throughout the Army. Additionally, a holistic analysis of the current DOD definition of Homeland Security demonstrates the fallacy of current Army doctrine in regards to Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities. Selected screening criteria are applied to this data as analytical metrics to provide objective, factual analysis and to develop themes to support recommendations and conclusions.