OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE PROGRAMS
NUCLEAR MATTERS
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL DEFENSE PROGRAMS
To ensure the continued credibility, effectiveness, safety, and security of the U.S. deterrent in order to deter nuclear and non-nuclear attack; assure U.S. allies and partners; achieve U.S. objectives if deterrence fails; and hedge against an uncertain future.
Nuclear Matters is the DoD focal point for the modernization and sustainment of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, as well as for a wide range of nuclear counterterrorism and counterproliferation issues. Nuclear Matters is responsible for leading and integrating interagency efforts to ensure the continued credibility of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
"The number one priority of the Department of Defense is that we maintain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent so we make certain those weapons are never used."
Former Secretary of Defense Mattis, August 2017
Senior Staff
Principal Director
Mr. Drew Walter [view bio]
Mr. Peter Fanta assumed the duties of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters in February of 2018.
A member of the Senior Executive Service, his responsibilities include: nuclear enterprise governance; all aspects of nuclear weapons acquisition, modernization, surety, survivability, reliability, security, safety, weapons management, weapon integration, nuclear incident response; and coordination of all activities relating to the nuclear weapons stockpile. Included in these responsibilities are countering nuclear threats and international nuclear agreements.
Mr. Fanta's career includes over 37 years on active duty as a naval officer to include multiple command tours of operational sea and land forces, as well as staff tours on the Navy and Joint Chiefs Staffs. His operational experience has included every world region with the exception of the Antarctic. Senior operational tours have included command of Navy and Marine forces in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Middle East. His senior staff tours have included Director of Warfare Integration, Director of Surface Warfare, and Deputy Director for Resources and Acquisition for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His operational and staff experience has included tours in nuclear weapons operations, security, resourcing, support and sustainment, as well as nuclear enterprise oversight. He retired from the U.S. Naval Service as a Flag Officer.
A native of Manitowoc, Wisconsin he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, earned an M.P.A. from Harvard University as the Moreau Scholar, and a Master of National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medals, Legions of Merit, Meritorious Service Medals, and various other awards and unit commendations.
Mr. Drew Walter serves as Principal Director and Senior Advisor, Nuclear Matters. In this position, Mr. Walter supports all aspects of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense's efforts to accomplish the Nuclear Matters mission.
Mr. Walter also serves as Director for Nuclear Enterprise Assessments and Survivability. In this role, Mr. Walter is responsible for supporting senior leader assessments of the health of the nuclear enterprise and for oversight and guidance related to nuclear survivability of DoD systems.
Prior to joining DoD, Mr. Walter served as a professional staff member with the Committee on Armed Services in the U.S. House of Representatives where he was responsible for executing committee activities and oversight regarding all policies, programs, and budgets related to nuclear deterrence, nuclear nonproliferation, naval nuclear propulsion, and nuclear environmental cleanup--including over $30 billion in annual funding within the Department of Defense and the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Mr. Walter began his career at Sandia National Laboratories, where he was a Senior Member of the Technical Staff. His responsibilities at Sandia included conducting physical security assessments for U.S. nuclear weapons, developing and analyzing new security technologies and novel security assessment methodologies, and conducting special studies for laboratory executives.
Mr. Walter holds Bachelor's and Master's of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering, both from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Office Overview
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs/Nuclear Matters (OASD(NCB/NM)) is the focal point of the Department of Defense for the U.S. nuclear deterrent. In this capacity, Nuclear Matters is the primary DoD point of contact for Congress, the interagency, and the public and for allies and foreign partners on issues related to the U.S. nuclear stockpile and the integration and alignment of U.S. nuclear weapons and weapons systems. To perform these functions, Nuclear Matters is comprised of representatives from all areas of the nuclear community, including the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, Department of Energy (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Nuclear Matters has a professional staff of subject matter experts in areas related to nuclear weapons stockpile management, security and incident response, nuclear safety and physical security, and working with allies and international organizations on issues related to the nuclear deterrent. The DASD for Nuclear Matters is a career civilian Senior Executive Service official.
Nuclear Matters has responsibilities in each of the following mission areas: nuclear safety, physical security and control; nuclear weapon incident and accident response; nuclear deterrent enterprise review; nuclear assessments; and nuclear threat prevention, protection, and response. As part of these responsibilities, the Nuclear Matters office provides support to management and oversight groups responsible for each of these mission areas including the joint DoD/DOE Nuclear Weapons Council, chaired by the Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Nuclear Deterrent Enterprise Review Group, chaired by the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Nuclear Matters Additionally, the office contributes to other nuclear-related responsibilities within the DoD, to including the development of congressional testimony, providing advice on arms control and treaty issues, and participating in budgeting and planning activities related to the nuclear deterrent.
NUCLEAR CHRONOLOGY
