§499b Participation in United States Strategic Command strategic deterrence exercises

Summary

Sets who should take part in yearly Strategic Command deterrence exercises held in fiscal years 2022–2032. The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs is encouraged to join exercises in even-numbered years, and the Deputy Assistant is encouraged to join in odd-numbered years. The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs must take part, at least in part. Senior White House staff who work on continuity of government are encouraged to join. Appropriate general or flag officers and Senior Executive Service civilians must take part to advise the Assistants. If a unified combatant command’s area is relevant to the exercise, at least two of these leaders from that command must join: the Commander, the Deputy Commander, the Director of Joint Staff for Operations, or the Director of Joint Staff for Strategic Plans and Policy. At least once every four years the President must be briefed on that year’s exercise and its main findings. Within 30 days after each exercise, the STRATCOM Commander must send the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the Secretary of Defense a report describing the exercise, who took part, the main findings about nuclear command, control, and communications or senior leader decision-making, any problems found, and whether the President was briefed. Within 60 days, the Secretary must give the congressional defense committees an unedited copy of that report and any other recommendations.