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

Summary

Requires key officials to take part in annual strategic deterrence exercises run by United States Strategic Command in fiscal years 2022 through 2032, and encourages others to join. The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs is encouraged to join in even-numbered years, and the Deputy Assistant in odd-numbered years. The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff must take part, at least in part. Senior White House continuity staff are encouraged to join. Appropriate military generals or flag officers and Senior Executive Service employees must participate to give expertise. If a unified combatant command’s region is part of the exercise scenario, at least two people from that command must join, drawn from the commander, deputy commander, director for operations, or director for strategic plans and policy. At least once every four years (or more often if needed) the President must be briefed on that year’s exercise and its main findings during 2022–2032. Within 30 days after each exercise, the Commander of United States Strategic Command must send the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense a report that explains the exercise goal and scope, names the main participants, lists the main findings about nuclear command, control, and communications and about senior leader decision-making (including any problems found), and says whether the President was briefed. Within 60 days, the Secretary of Defense must give the congressional defense committees an unedited copy of that report and any other recommendations the Secretary thinks appropriate.