ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13434Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Executive Order 13434

National Security Professional Development

This executive order establishes a framework to improve national security workforce capabilities by requiring a National Strategy for professional development, creating an interagency Steering Committee chaired by OPM, and directing agency heads to enhance education, training, and cross-government assignment opportunities for security professionals. It specifically assigns implementation roles to Defense, State, Intelligence, and Homeland Security for their respective personnel systems.

Federal Register Open PDF 72 FR 28583

Impact dates

  1. Annual status reports on plan implementation due to APHS/CT and APNSA

  2. Implementation plan due to APHS/CT and APNSA (120 days after National Strategy approval)

  3. National Strategy for Development of Security Professionals due to President

Key directives

  • APHS/CT and APNSA submit National Strategy within 60 days of order
  • Steering Committee submit implementation plan within 120 days of National Strategy approval
  • Steering Committee submit annual status reports thereafter
  • OPM Director lead establishment of interagency/intergovernmental assignment and fellowship program
  • Secretary of Defense issue rules/guidance for military personnel professional development
  • Secretary of State issue rules/guidance for Foreign Service professional development
  • Director of National Intelligence issue rules/guidance for intelligence community professional development
  • Secretary of Homeland Security develop education program for federal/state/local/tribal officials on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Establishment of Security Professional Development Executive Steering Committee
  • OPM Director designated as Chair

Near term (90d)

  • National Strategy for Development of Security Professionals due to President
  • Steering Committee begins coordination of existing programs

Long term

  • Implementation plan due 120 days after National Strategy approval
  • Annual status reports to APHS/CT and APNSA
  • Ongoing interagency and intergovernmental assignment programs
  • DHS education program for state/local/tribal officials on disaster preparedness

Risks & tensions

  • Implementation plan deadline is contingent on unknown date of National Strategy approval, creating schedule uncertainty
  • Multiple cabinet-level agencies with distinct personnel systems (Defense military, Foreign Service, intelligence community) may create coordination friction with OPM-led Steering Committee
  • 'To the maximum extent practicable' qualifiers throughout may weaken enforcement of integration mandates
  • Subject to availability of appropriations may limit program execution without dedicated funding
  • DHS education program for state/local/tribal officials scope is vague on mandatory vs. voluntary participation
Executive Order 13434: National Security Professional Development · Executive Orders