Press Release, Executive Order 9877

IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 26,194302 EXECUTIVE ORDER FUNCTIONS OF THE ARMED FORCES By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, and as President of the United States and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, I hereby prescribe the following assignment of primary functions and responsibilities to the three armed services. Section I - The Common Missions of the Armed Forces of the United States are: 1. To support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic. KRUMD NARA 3 2. To maintain, by timely and effective military action, the security of the United States, its possessions and areas vital to its inter- est. 3. To uphold and advance the national policies and interests of the United States. 4. To safeguard the internal security of the United States as directed by higher authority. 5. To conduet integrated operations on the land, on the sea, and in the air necessary for these purposes. In order to facilitate the accomplishment of the foregoing missions the armed forces shall formulate integrated plans and make coordinated preparations. Each service shall observe the general principles and fulfill the specific functions outlined below, and shall make use of the personnel, equipment and facilities of the other services in all cases where economy and effectiveness will thereby be increased. Section II - Functions of the United States Army General The United States Army includes land combat and service forces and such aviation and water transport as may be organic therein. It is organized, trained and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained combat incident to operations on land. The Army is responsible for the prepara- tion of land forces necessary for the effective prosecution of war, and, in accordance with integrated joint mobilization plans, for the expansion of peacetime components of the Army to meet the needs of war. The specific functions of the United States Army are: 1. To organize, train and equip land forces for: a. Operations on land, including joint operations. b. The seizure or defense of land areas, including airborne and joint amphibious c. The occupation of land areas. 2. To develop weapons, tactics, technique, organization and equipment of Army combat and service elements, coordinating with the Navy and the Air Force in all aspects of joint concern, including those which pertain to amphibious and airborne operations. (OVER)