DTRA FACTS

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is a joint-service, Department of Defense agency tasked with a vital national security mission: to safeguard America and its allies from Weapons of Mass Destruction (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high explosives) by providing capabilities to reduce, eliminate, and counter the threat, and mitigate its effects. DTRA shapes the international environment to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, responds to military requirements to ensure our soldiers have the offensive and defensive tools they need, including an effective nuclear deterrent, and prepares for an uncertain future shadowed by the threat of terrorist attack.

2. When and why was DTRA established?

Nuclear, chemical, biological and other weapons of mass destruction have the potential to threaten American lives - military and civilian - at home and around the world. DTRA was established on October 1, 1998 to bring together Department of Defense resources, experience and technical expertise to understand, prevent, deter and defend against these deadly weapons. The formation of DTRA reflects the lessons of Defense Secretary William Cohen's Defense Reform Initiative, creating synergies among Defense Department assets in addressing WMD threats and meeting the security challenges of the new millennium.

3. How is DTRA organized?

The Director of DTRA is appointed by the Secretary of Defense and reports to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. DTRA comprises five mission support directorates - On-Site Inspection, Cooperative Threat Reduction, Chem-Bio Defense, Technology Development and Combat Support - which carry out DTRA's critical national security mission. The agency's staff offices, Business Enterprise and Security and Counterintelligence Directorate carry out key support functions.

As a combat support agency, DTRA supports the warfighter in combat or other emergency situations. The agency is also supported by the Advanced Systems Concept Office and the Threat Reduction Advisory Committee which provide over-the-horizon analyses and big-picture guidance, respectively.

4. What is DTRA's budget?

The agency is authorized to employ up to 1,917 military and civilian personnel and has an FY 2006 budget of $2.9 billion. DTRA's budget is managed by the Comptroller in the Business Enterprise.

5. Where is DTRA located?

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency is located in the Headquarters Complex at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., with additional offices in Alexandria, Virginia. DTRA facilities are also located at:

• Albuquerque, New Mexico,
• Almaty, Kazakhstan,
• Darmstadt, Germany,
• Kiev, Ukraine,
• London, United Kingdom,
• Moscow, Russia,
• Nevada Test Site, Nevada,
• San Francisco, California,
• Tashkent, Uzbekistan,
• Tblisi, Georgia,
• Votkinsk, Russia,
• Washington, D.C., and
• Yokota Air Base, Japan

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency is also working at the Chemical Demilitarization Facilities:

• Aberdeen, Maryland,
• Anniston, Alabama,
• Pine Bluff, Arkansas,
• Newport, Indiana,
• Umatilla, Oregon, and
• Tooele, Utah

To contact DTRA, you can reach the Public Affairs Office at:

Voice:  (703) 767-5870
Fax:  (703) 767-4450
Toll-free: (800) 701-5096
DSN:  427-5870
Email:  dtra.publicaffairs@dtra.mil

6. Who is the Director of DTRA?

Kenneth A. Myers III is the Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the U.S. Strategic Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (SCC-WMD). He was sworn in on July 27, 2009.

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DTRA MISSION

7. What is DTRA's mission?

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency safeguards America and its allies from Weapons of Mass Destruction (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high yield explosives) by providing capabilities to reduce, eliminate, and counter the threat, and mitigate its effects.

8. Does DTRA help prepare for domestic emergencies?

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency plays an important role in preparing for domestic emergencies involving weapons of mass destruction. DTRA supports domestic law enforcement and emergency response personnel to prepare for possible terrorist attacks and undertake domestic consequence management. When requested, DTRA participates in domestic crisis and consequence management exercises, working through DOD's Joint Task Force - Civil Support, DOD's command element for domestic response support.

9. Is DTRA part of the intelligence community?

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency is not a member of the U.S. intelligence community. DTRA does, however, work closely with the intelligence community to identify and predict weapons of mass destruction threats. DTRA brings together the research and intelligence communities to better understand the evolution of weapons of mass destruction threats and the intentions of those who might carry them out. In so doing, DTRA helps the Department of Defense anticipate, prevent and respond to WMD incidents, both domestically and abroad.

10. How does DTRA support the United States' nonproliferation efforts?

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency helps achieve the nation's nonproliferation goals by working to eliminate stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, helping to verify compliance with arms control treaties, and striving to prevent the spread of WMD materials and technologies.

Cooperative Threat Reduction: DTRA assists the countries of the former Soviet Union to eliminate their weapons of mass destruction and safeguard associated WMD materials. Currently, DTRA is helping Russia eliminate their nuclear weapons and related delivery systems, as well as to dismantle their chemical and biological weapons-related facilities.

On-Site Inspection: DTRA implements international arms control treaties, carrying out treaty-related inspections, escorting foreign inspectors and monitoring treaty procedures. DTRA also supports international efforts to stop the spread of WMD and related equipment through efforts to improve border security.

11. What are the agency's primary activities in support of U.S. counterproliferation efforts?

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency helps ensure the United States is prepared to respond to threats posed by potential adversaries who obtain weapons of mass destruction. This counterproliferation support includes helping manage and support U.S. nuclear weapons, supporting the U.S. military in developing necessary offensive and defensive tools, and equipping U.S. soldiers for chemical or biological attack.

Combat Support: DTRA helps maintain the viability and credibility of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. DTRA tracks and reports on the current status of U.S. nuclear weapons; inspects nuclear-capable units, providing independent assessments of nuclear safety, security and reliability; and runs the DOD Joint Nuclear Accident Coordination Center and the Defense Nuclear Weapons School, providing development of and realistic training on nuclear policies and procedures.

Research and Development Enterprise: DTRA conducts research and development to support military counterproliferation operations, including developing offensive and defensive tools to counter WMD threats, and creating and operating modeling and simulation tools for operations planning and hazards prediction.

Chemical and Biological Technologies: DTRA oversees the Joint Services Program to develop chem-bio defensive gear to protect American servicemen and women from the effects of chemical and biological weapons.

12. What is the function of the Advanced Systems and Concepts Office?

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Advanced Systems and Concepts Office (ASCO) is tasked with defining a disciplined, analytic framework for dealing with the full spectrum of present and evolving threats. Composed of a small cadre of military and civilian personnel, augmented by temporary detailees from other government agencies, industry and academia, ASCO analyzes weapons of mass destruction threats, develops requirements forecasts and integrates the results into DTRA's future resource planning.

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DTRA OUTREACH

13. Are DTRA officials available to speak to my organization?

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency officials are available to speak to a variety of organizations.

Please contact the Public Affairs Office to request a speaker.

14. How can I obtain a photograph of DTRA activities?

At the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Public Affairs office maintains a database of photographs of DTRA activities and may be able to accommodate your requests. Some examples of available photography are available in our on-line photo library.

Please contact the Public Affairs Office for more information.

WORKING WITH DTRA

15. What kinds of jobs (professional/administrative/secretarial) are available at DTRA?

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency provides a variety of challenging jobs to people from diverse backgrounds. Positions available include professional posts related to DTRA's mission, as well as support posts in such areas as financial management, security, information technology, acquisition management, legal affairs, protocol, public affairs, congressional liaison and administration. For more information about employment with DTRA, please visit our DTRA Jobs Page.

16. How do I apply for a job at DTRA?

To start your job search with DTRA, visit our DTRA Jobs Page. Civilian positions are advertised through the Human Resources Services Center. Information about military positions is available through the branch personnel directorates.

17. Is a security clearance required for jobs at DTRA?

All jobs at DTRA require a security clearance due to the sensitive nature of the work involved.

18. Where do I find information about contracting opportunities with DTRA?

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Business Enterprise Page provides information about contracting opportunities with DTRA.

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ABOUT THIS SITE

19. What types of information are available through the DTRALink?

DTRALink provides a variety of information about DTRA, its mission, organizational structure, news, media resources, points of contact, Freedom of Information Act Program, upcoming events and conferences, employment, contracting and Web links to dozens of related sites.

20. How often is DTRALink updated?

DTRALink is updated on a weekly schedule, with additional time-sensitive updates occurring as needed.

21. What is the best way to search for information on DTRALink?

Enter a single word or a phrase in the search box on the tool bar on the left-hand side of the screen and hit enter. This search engine sorts through all of DTRALink content for matching words or phrases and provides a list of up to 100 documents containing the entered word or phrase.

22. If I have comments or questions about DTRALink, whom do I contact?

Please refer all comments or questions about DTRALink to the Public Affairs Office.

23. If my Web site offers information relevant to DTRA's mission, how can I be added to DTRALink's Related Links page?

Requests to be added to DTRALink's Related Links page should be submitted to the Public Affairs Office.

Please include a brief description of the relevant Web site and the hypertext link address to be added.

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