When is civil authority most likely to request DOD support?

Civil authority is most likely to request Department of Defense (DOD) support when civilian responders are overwhelmed. This situation typically arises during significant emergencies, such as large-scale disasters or crises, where local, state, or federal resources are insufficient to manage the impact effectively.

In these scenarios, DOD assets and capabilities can provide critical support, including logistical assistance, transportation, medical aid, and security. The ability of civilian responders to manage incidents can be rapidly exceeded, necessitating the integration of military resources to help restore order and provide necessary relief to affected populations.

While other circumstances relate to DOD support, such as funding availability or natural disasters, these factors do not capture the immediate need for assistance. In contrast to routine training exercises, which do not involve emergency responses, the request for support arises specifically from a scenario where the urgency and scale of the incident exceed local capabilities.