§499b Participation in United States Strategic Command Strategic Deterrence Exercises

Summary

Sets who must or should take part in annual U.S. Strategic Command deterrence exercises during fiscal years 2022 through 2032. The President’s National Security Adviser is encouraged to join in even-numbered years and the Deputy Adviser in odd-numbered years. The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs must participate, at least in part. Senior White House continuity staff are encouraged to join. Appropriate generals, flag officers, and Senior Executive Service federal employees must take part to advise the President’s advisers. If a unified combatant command’s region matters for the exercise, at least two of that command’s top leaders must join (for example, the Commander, Deputy Commander, or the joint-staff directors for operations or for strategic plans and policy). At least once every four years the President must get a briefing on that year’s exercise and its main findings. Within 30 days after an exercise, the U.S. Strategic Command Commander must send the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the Secretary of Defense a report with the exercise’s purpose, main participants, findings about nuclear command, control, and communications and senior leader decision-making (including any problems), and whether the President was briefed. Within 60 days, the Secretary must send Congress the unedited commander’s report and any additional recommendations.