National Command Authority
The term National Command Authority ( NCA , German National Command Authority ) is the highest military authority of the USA , which is formed by two people and exercised: the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense or their respective most senior living and office suitable successor ( Vice-President , Deputy Minister of Defense, etc.) in the chain of command. The NCA's logistic and communications center is the National Military Command Center (NMCC) in the Pentagon .
The NCA alone is responsible for deciding whether to attack the US with nuclear weapons . To do this, both persons must jointly give the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff the order to carry out the nuclear strike .
Individual evidence
- ^ World-Wide Military Command and Control System (WWMCCS), Department of Defense Directive 5100.30. December 2, 1971 (PDF; 435 kB).