Abstract :
In the labyrinth known as the United States Government, it is often difficult to identify exactly who creates and executes policy. At the Pentagon, Gerald Dinneen, Assistant Secretary of Defense, among other responsibilities, oversees the US military??s communications network. In a recent interview he discussed his myriad tasks, special problems, and the differences between a job on the firing line as a presidential appointee and a research position. Before joining the Carter administration, Dr. Dinneen was Director of M.l.T.??s Lincoln Laboratory.