WHITE HOUSE SITUTATION ROOM GETS A MAKE-OVER
Compiled By Ralph Thomas

"The White House Situation Room is arguably the most important facility
in the most important building in the world." Michael K. Bohn

A Rare Photo Inside The White House Sit Room With The New Make-Over Developing

One of the most inaccessible places in the White House is a room in the basement of the West Wing known as the Situation Room. The national security of the nation is monitored here 24/7. Even those with high ranks and titles entering the West Wing for appointments with the West Wing staff or the President himself do not get inside this room. The door is always locked with a sign that says something like restricted-military personnel only. Several years ago, on a special tour we had the opportunity see the West Wing. I remember passing this place in the West Wing basement hallway with a White House staff friend who was giving us a private tour and he promptly asked me to not even touch the door as we were on our way to the White House mess. It I would have, who knows, maybe alarms would have gone off. I got to see the outside hallway and the door you go into but, of course; I never got inside the room. It's one of the most secret places inside the American Presidency.

A Photo Of The Sit Room During President Johnson's Term During One Of
Many Bad News Days Concerning The Vietnam War.

A Photo Taken Inside The Sit Room During Clinton's Time.

The Sit Room, as it's come to be called; is staffed by CIA and military people who monitor the world situation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. When a major situation develops, it is here that the President with key staff people go to manage it. The sit room is really more than just one room. It has a very secure conference room for the President and a monitoring room that is staffed 24/7. The sit room is run by the National Security Council. It was created by President Kennedy after the failed Bay Of Pigs invasion in Cuba which provides the executive branch of the government real time information for about any location or crisis happening in the world. It's a 24 hour watch and intelligence gathering room that reports to members of the President, the National Security Advisor and the members of the NSC staff.

The Vice President On The Phone In The Sit Room During 9/11

Monitoring Desks Of The White House Situation Room In The Watch Center
During The NIxon Administration. Note Henry Kissinger In The Center And Note
That At The Time, There Wasn't Any Such Thing As PCs On Desktops.

Although there is a briefcase called the" football" that follows the President where ever he goes with a full time military aid assigned to it that could launch a nuclear missile at a moment's notice, if the President is around the West Wing when such a situation would need such a judgment; he would likely hunker down in the situation room where all Presidents since John Kennedy has gone to manage any crisis.

One of the many duties of the watch center in this room is to inform the President within seconds of US detection, that a nuclear missile has been launched at the United States. You can only start to understand the seriousness and gravity of importance of the things that go on in this room when you look at what it does. It's no wonder former situation room director Michael K. Bohn calls it, " the most important facility in the most important building in the world." From the Vietnam war to the assassination attempt on President Reagan, and from the 9/11 attacks on the USA to the current war, the situation room is where the high stakes international decisions are made and high stakes international monitoring is taking place. It is a literal nerve center for the free world.

The White House Situation Room actually serves several different vital functions for the US Presidency and the Executive branch of the US Government. They include:

• Alert Center
The all important alert center is in charge of alerting the President and his staff 24/7 of any crisis or important event that might happen world wide which would be important to the United States. Naturally, there is a direct dial button marked "President" on one of the alert center phones. This is a direct line to the President where ever he may be. When this button is pushed to get the President on the phone no matter what the hour, it's almost never good news. There has been more than just a few times with the President has been woken up in the middle of the night from the Alert Center.

• Secure Communications Center
The Situation Room is also in charge of secure communication for the White House. If the President wishes to speak with any foreign official, it is the Situation Room that arranges the call on a secure phone line. Such calls can be quite complicated as interrupters are needed.

• Secure Conference Room
The Situation Room maintains a secure conference room from for use by the President and National Security Council which is ready to function at any time. The room maintains secure video conferencing equipment in the event a key member is not present. When that is the case, a secure video conference can quickly take place.

• Intelligence Briefing Function
The Situation Room acts as an intelligence briefing function for the President and the national Security Council.The staff maintains various folders with one marked "Things The President Should Know Immediately".

The sit room recently has gotten a make-over and there are a few rare photos floating around. The Situation room has remained unchanged since the time of John Kennedy until it's current make-over and updates. The sit room has always been quipped with secure and advanced communications equipment. However, not much of it has changed since the 1960's. So the room has just had a complete make-over and has now entered the modern digital age.

Below are some articles and photo links for your reading pleasure.

BBC Article: Revamp for West Wing Crisis Room

Washington Post Article: White House Remodeling 'Situation Room'

New York Times Article: Overhaul Moves White House Data Center Into Modern Era

New York Times Photos: Situation Room Overhaul

Wikipedia Answers: The White House Situation Room

San Francisco University: Nerve Center - Inside The White House Situation Room

White House: History of the National Security Council

Book Review: Nerve Center: Inside the White House Situation Room

The above book (review) titled Nerve Center, Inside The White House Situation Room was authored by Michael K. Bohn. Bohn was the director of the Situation Room during the Reagan Presidency. This book is a highly interesting history of the situation room and the events the room has been through. The book is very hard to put down once you start reading it and I hereby warn you that it will keep you awake a night!

WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM POLO SHIRT
The White House Situation Room is inside the basement of the West Wing of the White House and monitors the world situation for the President Of The United States 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. It's one of the most "no access" places inside the West Wing even for those who work there themselves. Only you know you don't work there or have special connections! These rare White House Situation Room polo shirts are just the impressive gift for someone else or yourself. The Situation Room polo carries a most unique logo. The American Eagle carries the 2 lighting bolts in his talons signifying the readiness and strike mode of America and the ability to obtain information at a moment's notice! 100% cotton Navy Blue polo with reinforced collar and sleeves.

THE ORIGINAL GREAT SEAL WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE RUG
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