A Short History of Homeland Defense: WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2001 -- Since the Sept. 11 terrorist strikes in New York and Washington, many Americans have been calling for the military to do more for "homeland defense." The recent Quadrennial Defense Review also said DoD must make homeland defense its first priority. Ironically, the U.S. military doesn't need that kind of reminder -- homeland defense has been its first priority since the founding of the Republic. Many Americans may not see things that way, but it's because the nature of that defense and the agencies involved have changed over the years.