International
Training is an instrument of national security and foreign policy which
uses schools
(DOD and Military Service) to provide a vast array of training
options to both the military and civilian leadership of foreign governments.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the key DoD component in
charge of implementation of the USG security assistance program, provides
overall International Training Policy oversight to training programs both
in CONUS and overseas that are funded through the State Department International
Affairs Budget and via a country’s own national funds.
The
DSCA International Training Programs web page is designed to provide all
audiences
with a basic understanding of the components and programs within the International
Training Program implemented by DSCA. The web page is also intended to
be a vehicle for the international training community to access when seeking
the most up-to-date international training policy, budget, and implementation
information. The site will serve as a living document and a valuable resource
for all browsers to include the security assistance community.
The Process:
Once a country determines
its training needs and a funding source is designated, the Service
International Training Agencies process the training requests.
Course options include amongst other things: English Language Training,
professional military education, management training, postgraduate education,
and operational and technical
training. These programs cover hundreds
of topics and skill areas required by both international military officers
and enlisted personnel and civilians. Courses also cover special
emphasis areas as defense resources management, "rule of law" and other
training that exposes international students to the U.S. professional military
establishment, the American way of life, democratic values, and internationally
recognized human rights.
International training is a component of security cooperation
that includes both training funded with Foreign Military Financing (FMF),
a country’s own national funds, as well as International Military Education
and Training (IMET) grant funds. Pursuant to Section 23, Arms Export
Control Act (AECA), if a country is eligible for FMF, it may use FMF or
its own national funds to purchase training. Pursuant to Chapter
5, part II, Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) 1961, if a country is eligible
for IMET, it may use this funding for the purchase of training. A
country may be both eligible for IMET and FMF. Our Expanded
International Military Education and Training (EIMET) program is a
a significant part of the overall IMET program and receives its funding
from the overall IMET budget. An additional form of international
training which is not FMF-funded or funded with national funds or IMET
is Professional Military
Education and Exchange (PME) Training. Sec. 544, Foreign
Assistance Act (FAA), authorizes reciprocal unit exchanges and related
support.
Other
critical components of international training include:
1.) the
Informational Program (IP), which is designed and implemented by the International
Student Officer (IMSO) and which seeks to provide the international
student with an awareness of internationally recognized standards of human
rights and the American democratic way of life; and
2.) the Distinguished
Visitor Orientations (DVOT), which seeks to orient international
military and civilian leaders to the objectives of IMET, the educational
opportunities offered by DoD, and U.S. foreign policy objectives.
Interagency Work Group Web Sites
The Interagency Work Group on U.S. Government-Sponsored
International Exchanges and Training has two websites up and running at
their permanent URLs. The first is a Public website for non-government
partners. The second site is an interagency website for U.S. government
personnel. [more]
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