National Security Advisory Council

The USGLC’s National Security Advisory Council (NSAC) is a unique, non-partisan group of prominent retired three and four-star generals and admirals representing all five branches of the Armed Forces who have united in support of strengthening America’s national security strategy with the increased use of non-military tools.

Founded in March of 2008, the NSAC has been active in promoting the use of non-military tools to augment our strong military. NSAC members General Anthony Zinni and Admiral Leighton Smith testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. During his testimony, General Zinni said, “We are here because from our time on the front line of America’s presence in the world, we know that the U.S. cannot rely on military power alone to keep us safe from terrorism, infectious disease and other global threats that recognize no borders.”

Additionally, in early 2009 upon taking office the NSAC sent a letter to President Obama urging him to follow up on campaign promises to increase investments in development and diplomacy. The letter stated, “Despite modest increases over the last eight years, the International Affairs Budget remains under-funded, representing only 1.2 percent of all federal spending and remaining 11 percent below Cold War levels. This hinders the ability of our civilian foreign affairs agencies to meet our foreign policy and national security goals, and places greater burdens on the military. … We must ensure that our nation is fully equipped to face the global challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.”

Full List of NSAC members can be found here.