scope:

PURPOSE. This Directive:

Implements references (a) and (b).

Defines the Military Health System role, as stated in reference (c), by establishing DoD policy for DoD participation in the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), a joint Federal, State, and local mutual aid organization for a coordinated medical response, patient movement, and definitive inpatient care in time of war, U.S. national emergency, or major U.S. domestic disaster.

APPLICABILITY. This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, DoD Agencies, and all other organizational entities within the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as "the DoD Components").