The Football

The Football

The Football, its official name is unknown, is a secure package that contains the necessary Gold Codes, or nuclear launch codes, the Presidents Decision Book, which details nuclear strike options available to the President, a secure SATCOM radio and handset. It follows the President where ever he goes and is never more that a few steps from his side. A military officer carries the Football and undergoes the nation's most rigorous security background check, "Yankee White".

The concept of the football came about in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis. President Kennedy was concerned that some Soviet commander in Cuba might launch their missiles without authorization from Moscow. After the crisis, Kennedy ordered a review of the U.S. Nuclear Command and Control system. The result was the highly classified National Security Action Memorandum that created the football.


The White House Communications Agency, consisting of personnel from the Defense Communications Agency, Defense Communications Support Unit and the Defense Communications Operations United (this unit is responsible for communications and emergency power engineering) oversees the military unit in charge of the Football. To work in these units, personnel must obtain a Yankee White security clearance. The criteria for this clearance include U.S. citizenship, unquestionable loyalty, and an absolute absence of any foreign influence over the individual, his family, or "persons to whom the individual is closely linked." The aide who carries the Football comes from the four military branches and are ranked Lt. Colonel, Naval Commander, or Marine Major. They must be knowledgeable about all aspects of the overall Single Integrated Operational Plan, as well as the various options available to the President for implementing the war plan.

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