Military forces shall not be used for MACDIS unless specifically authorized by the President, except in the following emergency circumstances. In these circumstances, responsible DoD officials and commanders will use all available means to seek Presidential authorization through the chain of command while applying their emergency authority under this Directive.

(1) When the use of military forces is necessary to prevent loss of life or wanton destruction of property, or to restore governmental functioning and public order. That "emergency authority" applies when sudden and unexpected civil disturbances (including civil disturbances incident to earthquake, fire, flood, or other such calamity endangering life) occur, if duly constituted local authorities are unable to control the situation and circumstances preclude obtaining prior authorization by the President.

-- kabubu (ask@receive.com), September 03, 1999