Objective
This course is designed to meet the educational requirements of Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) personnel and geographic combatant command (CCMD) staff personnel directly supporting SCOs. The objective of this course is for the student to attain a working knowledge of SCO-relevant security cooperation (SC) policies and procedures. Graduates will have the basic skills to effectively implement SC aspects of U.S. foreign policy.
This course meets International Program Security (IPS) training requirements of DoD Directive 5230.20.
Course Description
All students are required to attend the core portion of the course (3 weeks). Most students identified by the CCMD to participate in this course will attend specialized training during an additional or fourth week.
Core Instruction is provided on:
- The many complex and interrelated aspects of security cooperation (SC) and security assistance (SA). DoD Directive 5132.03 defines SC as those activities undertaken by DoD to encourage and enable international partners to work with the United States to achieve strategic objectives. SC involves all DoD interactions with foreign defense and security establishments, including all DoD-administered SA; SA programs are U.S. Department of State programs authorized by Title 22 of the United States Code which provide defense articles and services to foreign countries/international organizations via approved grants, loans, leases, or sales.
- The embassy environment, management of budget and other resources within the SCO, SC databases, international training management responsibilities, and SCO operational requirements.
- The region of assignment. This includes SC-related regional/country-specific political, military, economic, geographic, security, and cultural considerations impacting historic and current relationships with the United States.
Specialized Training for CCMD selected students is provided on:
- Advanced international training management.
- Advanced SCO resource management.
The course includes platform lecture, seminars, and practical exercises. Instruction is provided by DISCS faculty members and guest lecturers who may include senior DoD officials as well as representatives of other USG agencies, civilian universities, and private organizations.
CYBER AWARENESS TRAINING VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To complete this course, all students must access the Internet, and specialized course materials available
only on the
DISCS
intranet, using assigned classroom computers. Because the
DISCS
intranet resides
on the Air Force Network (AFNET),
DISCS
is only authorized to create computer accounts for students who have
completed annual DoD Cyber Awareness training within 12 months of the course’s end date. Additionally, all computer security training must be
documented in the Air Force’s Active Directory.
Students not affiliated with the U.S. Air Force should be prepared to upload an electronic copy of their DoD Cyber Awareness
training completion certificate during registration. Acceptable formats are Adobe Acrobat (.pdf), Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), and
Microsoft XPS Document (.xps). This will enable
DISCS
network technicians to update their training status in
Active Directory after manually reviewing the submitted training certificate.
Continuous Learning Points
Graduates of this course may use the hours associated as Continuous Learning Points (CLPs, CEPs, etc.) for various professional
development programs. Specific hours, by course, are listed at
Continuous Learning Points.
Ace Equivalency Course Information
Visit the Ace Equivalency Course Information page to see the
American Council on Education recommendation for this course.
Eligibility Criteria
- Personnel selected for attendance should be assigned or pending assignment to SC/SA management positions in SCOs or Defense Attaché Offices (DAOs) overseas, geographic combatant commands (CCMDs), or CCMD component commands. Students must have at least one year remaining in their assignment to be eligible for DISCS training. Exceptions to this standard require the approval of the DISCS Commandant.
- SCO and Defense Attaché Office (DAO) personnel with responsibilities related to SC/SA management are required by DoD Instruction 5132.13 to complete this course; attendance at DISCS is mandatory, unless the course has been completed satisfactorily within the previous five years. Senior Defense Officials/Defense Attachés (SDO/DATTs) shall, if in the grade of O-6 or below, attend the SCM-O at DISCS. SDO/DATTs in the grade of O-7 and above should attend the SCM-E or SCM-AO at DISCS.
- U.S. Government employees and contractor equivalents are eligible for attendance.
- A SECRET clearance is required for all students.
- Spouses/adult dependents of students are welcome to attend SCM-O, space permitting. Contact the DISCS Registrars Office to determine if space is available. Unclassified portions of regional seminar curriculum pertaining to historical, political, economic, social, religious, and cultural issues is, in fact, recommended for adult dependents. In addition, the DISCS Library has current holdings on these subjects, including audio-visual media, available for use by both students and their dependents. DISCS assumes no financial responsibility for travel costs or living expenses for dependents.
- Note for personnel deploying to the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A)
- All personnel assigned to CSTC-A will attend Afghanistan-specific curriculum during the third week. Attendance for CSTC-A personnel is determined by the CSTC-A Reachback Cell in Washington, DC.