Last revised: April 15, 2003
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Purpose of Web Site
This web site has been established to provide a central point of information on the U.S. Expanded International Military Education and Training (E-IMET) program. It is intended for the use of all U.S. DoD and State Department organizations who are involved in the management of the U.S. Security Assistance program. It is hoped that the collective information herein provided will assist offices responsible for the management of the IMET program in identifying training that fulfills E-IMET goals and objectives.

What is Expanded IMET?

Expanded IMET is not a separate program. Actually, it is a part of the overall IMET program. A certain percentage of a country IMET program must be selected from the approved Expanded IMET courses contained in the Expanded IMET Handbook that is provided on this web site. This percentage of the overall IMET program will vary by country and is subject to approval by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. For a country whose international military training program is very politically sensitive, the entire IMET program may consist of Expanded IMET training only.

Why Expanded IMET?

The E-IMET program was established in FY90 for the purposes of educating U.S. friends and allies in the proper management of their defense resources, improving their systems of military justice in accordance with internationally recognized principles of human rights and fostering a greater respect for, and understanding of, the principle of civilian control of the military. The program is based upon the premise that active promotion of democratic values is one of the most effective means available for achieving U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives and fostering peaceful relationships among the nations of the world.

The current international environment affords a unique opportunity for us to share our democratic principles with other countries. Through our E-IMET courses, we can achieve an enhanced level of understanding, trust, and confidence between nations that will contribute significantly to the maintenance of peace and stability in the post-cold war era.

Program Objectives

Congressional Presentation for Foreign Operations, FY 1999

IMET is expanding and taking new directions in response to the changing global political scene. In the past few years, significant changes, in the program have taken place to better align program objectives with U.S., foreign policy interests in the post-Cold War environment. For example, a number of new and meaningful courses have been added to meet U.S. foreign policy objectives as important bilateral relations are developed with emerging democracies around the world. In addition, civilians who are not members of a government are encouraged to participate if it would contribute to, " accomplishment of program objectives, especially those involving the principles of, civil-military relations," civilian control of the military, and respect for human rights. Some specific objectives of these programs are:

• To foster greater respect for and understanding of the principle of civilian control of the military;

• To improve military justice systems and procedures in accordance with internationally recognized human rights;

• To introduce military and civilian participants to the U.S. judicial system, the two-party system, the role of a free press and other communications media, minority problems, the purpose and scope of labor unions, the U.S. economic system, educational institutions, and the way in which all of these elements of American democracy reflect the U.S. commitment to the basic principles of internationally recognized human rights;

• To resolve the civil-military conflict that a country actually confronts, and bring together key military and civilian leaders in order to break down barriers that often exist between armed forces, civilian officials, and legislators of competing political parties; and

• To modify existing civil-military mechanisms used by democracies to meet a country’s own unique circumstances.

Expanded IMET Handbook 

The Expanded IMET Handbook, published annually by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), is intended for use by SAOs and other members of the U.S. training community as a convenient planning resource. Overseas Security Assistance Offices (SAOs) should bring the E-IMET courses listed in this publication to the attention of appropriate host country officials and encourage participation by civilian personnel in defense-related positions in addition to military officers. This Handbook provides descriptions of all courses that have been certified by DSCA as fulfilling the goals and objectives of the Expanded IMET program. In addition the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard schools that conduct the courses are identified. Courses are identified by the Military Articles and Services List (MASL) number that is used in the automated Training Management System (TMS) to request, program, and manage the training. This electronic version of the Expanded IMET Handbook will be updated continuously as course offerings are added and deleted.

Expanded IMET Lessons

Several lessons in computer based training format have been prepared for use by anyone wanting to learn some of the essential elements of Expanded IMET courses. Human Rights, Civilian Control of the Military, and other subjects of interest are covered in these lessons. Please feel free to follow the respective courses yourself or please feel free to download the lessons and use them with other audiences at your activity.

• Expanded IMET (via DISAM)

• Human Rights (via DISAM)

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  http://www.hrw.org/universal.html

ITM Web Site