The position of under secretary of defense for intelligence was created by the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003" in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks to better coordinate Department-wide intelligence activities. It became second in the line of succession for the secretary of Ddfense, after the deputy secretary of defense, after an executive order was made by President George W. Bush on 22 December 2005. When it was created, the legislation described it as taking precedence in the Department behind the under secretary for personnel and readiness.