Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 5134.08
January 14, 2009
Incorporating Change 2, February 14, 2013
DA&M
SUBJECT: Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense
Programs (ASD(NCB))
References: See Enclosure
1. PURPOSE. This Directive, consistent with sections 138(b)(10) and 138d of title 10, United
States Code (Reference (a)), reissues DoD Directive (DoDD) 5134.8 (Reference (b)) in
accordance with the authority in DoDD 5134.01 (Reference (c)) to update the responsibilities
and functions, relationships, and authorities of the ASD(NCB), under the Under Secretary of
Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD(AT&L)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This Directive applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense (hereafter
referred to collectively as the “DoD Components”).
3. DEFINITIONS. The terms “weapons of mass destruction” (WMD) and “combating WMD”
(CWMD) used in this Directive are defined in the National Military Strategy to Combat
Weapons of Mass Destruction (Reference (d)).
4. RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS. The ASD(NCB) is the principal advisor to the
Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense and the USD(AT&L) on nuclear energy, nuclear
weapons, and chemical and biological defense, consistent with sections 138(b)(10) and 138d of
Reference (a). In this capacity, the ASD(NCB) shall:
a. Develop policies, provide advice, and make recommendations on nuclear weapons;
chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) medical and non-medical defense; safety
and security of chemical and biological agents; safety, surety, security, and safe destruction of
