[3][4] Although the SSB was designed to operate without detection and under the defense secretary's direct control, it is commanded by high-ranking military officials.
Strategic Support teams have about 10 members each, consisting of case officers, linguists, interrogators and other specialists from the Defense Human Intelligence Service, a branch of the DIA.
[3] The Strategic Support Branch was financed using "reprogrammed" funds, without explicit authority or appropriation of the United States Congress.
[3] Pentagon officials emphasized their intention to remain accountable to Congress, but they also asserted that Defense intelligence missions are subject to fewer legal constraints than believed.
Under Title 10, for example, the Defense Department must report to Congress all "deployment orders", or formal instructions from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to position U.S. forces for combat.