Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950–1955, The Intelligence Community, 1950–1955

136. Memorandum From the Director of the National Security Agency (Canine) and Representatives of the Military Services and Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense Lovett¹

Washington, November 20, 1952

SUBJECT

• Formal Implementation of the Provisions of NSCID No. 9 Revised²

REFERENCE

• Secretary of Defense Memorandum of 4 November 1952,³ subject: Interim Implementation of NSCID No. 9 Revised

1. Pursuant to the requirements expressed in paragraph 3 of the reference, a working group was formed and developed the inclosed directives.

2. The proposed directives, concurred in by the undersigned, are submitted for your approval.

3. In accordance with paragraph 1d of the reference, a list of directives, orders, or instructions relating to Communications Intelligence matters issued by any authorities within the Department of Defense inconsistent or at variance with the provisions of NSCID No. 9 Revised or with the proposed implementing directives inclosed herewith will be forwarded as soon as compiled.

Ralph J. Canine

Major General, US Army
Director, National Security Agency Chairman

Robinson E. Duff

Major General, USA
Representing the Secretary of the Army

L.S. Howeth

Captain, USN
Representing the Secretary of the Navy

John B. Ackerman

Brigadier General, USAF
Representing the Secretary of the Air Force

Edward H. Porter

Brigadier General, USAF
Representing the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Enclosure

Washington, December 5, 1952.

Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Lovett⁵

MEMORANDUM FOR THE

• Secretary of the Army
• Secretary of the Navy
• Secretary of the Air Force
• Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Director, Communications-Electronics
• Director, National Security Agency

SUBJECT

• Implementation of NSCID No. 9 Revised

REFERENCE

• (a) NSCID No. 9 Revised, dated 24 October 1952
• (b) Memorandum of 4 November 1952 from Secretary of Defense subject: Interim Implementation of NSCID No. 9 Revised

1. This Directive is issued for the purpose of implementing the provisions of reference (a) and supersedes reference (b).

2. The National Security Agency (NSA) is hereby established as an agency within the framework of the Department of Defense with the mission assigned to it in reference (a). For the purposes of this Directive, NSA will be understood to consist of the Headquarters, subordinate units, and facilities, including the personnel thereof, that are specifically assigned or attached to, or provided for, NSA by the Secretary of Defense or other competent authority, and over which the Director, NSA, exercises administrative, operational and technical control.

3. Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), all Communications Intelligence (COMINT) collection and production resources of the Department of Defense are hereby placed under the operational and technical control of the Director, NSA.

4. The Director, NSA, will arrange with the appropriate authorities of other departments and agencies of the government for his assumption of operational and technical control of the COMINT collection and COMINT production resources of those departments and agencies.

5. All military and civilian personnel, funds, records, equipment, facilities, and other support available to or authorized for the Armed Forces Security Agency (AFSA) are hereby made available to and authorized for the National Security Agency. Arrangements heretofore in effect for the provision of personnel, fiscal and other support for AFSA shall continue in effect for NSA unless otherwise modified.

6. All directives, orders or instructions relating to COMINT matters issued by any authorities within the Department of Defense inconsistent or at variance with the provisions of reference (a) will be immediately brought to the attention of the Secretary of Defense by the initiating authorities and/or the Director, NSA.

7. In fulfilling his assigned responsibilities, the Director, NSA, will be guided by the provisions of reference (a) and he will:

a. Transmit the budget estimates and civilian manpower requirements of NSA, as approved by the Secretary of Defense, to appropriate authorities for inclusion in designated appropriations of the Military Departments or the Office of the Secretary of Defense. These approved estimates and manpower requirements will not be subject to review by the Military Departments.

b. Conform to the personnel, fiscal, and property accounting policies of the Secretary of Defense. A departmental property account is authorized for NSA.

c. Review COMINT requirements, programs and budget estimates of the Military Departments, insure the provision of an adequate balanced program, and support these items in cooperation with the Departments concerned.

d. Establish procedures for production and procurement of specialized COMINT equipments under the cognizance of NSA.

e. Assure to the maximum practicable extent, in consonance with Department of Defense policies, standardization of specialized COMINT equipments and facilities.

f. Determine and make known to the Director, Communications-Electronics, the requirements for rapid communications to meet the needs of NSA. These will include a statement of anticipated traffic loads and such additional data as will assist in fulfilling the requirements.

g. Determine and make known to appropriate authorities courier service requirements as needed for the expeditious handling of COMINT traffic and material.

h. In consonance with the policies of the Department of Defense, provide means for review, coordination, and approval of all COMINT research and development requirements.

i. Establish a research and development program adequate to accomplish the COMINT mission, and control the assignment and implementation of all COMINT research and development projects.

j. In consonance with the policies of the Department of Defense, provide technical guidance and support for COMINT training conducted by the Military Departments and, to insure necessary levels of technical competence, prescribe minimum standards for their COMINT training curricula.

k. Conduct necessary specialized and advance COMINT training.

8. With reference to paragraph 7f above, the Director, Communications-Electronics, with the assistance of the Joint Communications-Electronics Committee, shall have the authority and responsibility for insuring that the Military Departments, within their capabilities, fulfill the military communications requirements of NSA.

9. The COMINT responsibilities of the Military Departments will include, among others, the following:

a. Providing the necessary COMINT facilities and resources for the support of military operations and of the National COMINT effort in accordance with assigned responsibilities.

b. Procuring, organizing, training, equipping, administering, budgeting, and providing logistic support to their respective COMINT units. This will include provision of adequate reserve programs to meet emergency or wartime requirements.

c. Within the limits prescribed by public law and Department of Defense policies, assigning military personnel to NSA for a minimum period of thirty-six months. Longer assignment of specially qualified personnel is authorized as may be arranged with the Department concerned. The Military Departments may add, withdraw, or substitute personnel within the authorized personnel strength of NSA, subject to approval by the Director, NSA.

d. Advising the Director, NSA, regarding close support matters and recommending the number and composition of COMINT units needed to fulfill the close support requirements of the Departments.

e. Performing COMINT collection and production tasks as specified by the Director, NSA.

f. Submitting COMINT research and development requirements directly to the Director, NSA, for his action, and accomplishing such COMINT research and development and service testing as approved or assigned by him. This does not preclude the Military Departments from initiating and pursuing, subject to prompt notification to and approval by the Director, NSA, such research and development as may be necessary to support their COMINT activities.

10. Where delegation of control is required in close support of a military commander, the Director, NSA, will normally delegate operational control of specified COMINT facilities and resources to the COMINT agency of the appropriate Military Department for assignment to a subordinate unit.

11. The Director, NSA, is authorized to make requests of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Military Departments, and all other government agencies and activities for information and assistance which his functions and responsibilities may require and to furnish such agencies and activities with information and assistance as appropriate.

Lovett

⁶

Enclosure

Washington, undated.

Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Lovett⁷

MEMORANDUM FOR THE

• Secretary of the Army
• Secretary of the Navy
• Secretary of the Air Force
• Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Director, Communications-Electronics
• Director, National Security Agency

SUBJECT

• Interim Responsibility for Communication Security

Pending the issuance of additional instructions, the responsibilities for Communication Security (COMSEC) activities and related matters assigned to the Director, Armed Forces Security Agency, shall continue to be assigned to the Director, National Security Agency.

Lovett

⁸

1. Source: National Security Agency, Center for Cryptologic History, Series V, A.28. Top Secret; Security Information.
2. See Document 132.NSCID No. 9 Revised is printed as Document 257.
3. Not found.
5. Top Secret; Security Information. Copies were sent to the Secretary of State, Director of Central Intelligence, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The date is handwritten on the enclosure.
6. Printed from a copy that indicates Lovett signed the original.
7. Top Secret; Security Information.
8. Printed from a copy that indicates Lovett signed the original.