Civilian National Security Infrastructure - National Security Council (nsc)

The president's principal cabinet officers also serve as his closest national security advisors. The president, the vice-president, the secretary of state, and the secretary of defense make up the NSC, which was established by the National Security Act of 1947. That act mandated that the CIA director, also known as the director of central intelligence (DCI), and the chairman of the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) also be advisors to the NSC. Present during most NSC meetings are the president, the vice-president, the secretary of state, the secretary of defense, and the president's national security assistant. Others who may attend include the president's chief of staff and counsel, the attorney general, and other senior officials depending on their responsibilities.