The Pentagon Must Bring Back the National Command Authority

For decades, the Pentagon term National Command Authority, or NCA, which consists of the President and the Secretary of Defense, actually issued orders to our military.

The NCA was an institution of our government and emphasized the Constitutional authority of the President and the Secretary of Defense, rather than the individuals in those positions.

As Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld abolished the NCA and substituted "The President and the Secretary of Defense," unnecessarily focusing attention on the persons rather than the Constitution.

As the first order of business to Save America, the Pentagon must re-establish the NCA as the institution which gives orders to our military.

Let's hope Secretary of Defense-designate Robert M. Gates does this promptly.