Defense Institute of International Legal Studies awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. (Security Assistance Community).

On Thursday, 8 November 2001, Mr. Richard Millies, Deputy Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), traveled to Newport, RI to present the Joint Meritorious Unit Award (JMUA) to the staff of the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS). He was accompanied by Ms. Beth Baker, DSCA/Policy. This occasion also provided an opportunity for Mr. Millies and Ms. Baker to receive an orientation tour of DIILS and briefings on the DIILS mission, and to engage in extensive discussions with the DIILS staff on their various responsibilities.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award to DIILS on 27 August 2001. In the award Secretary Rumsfeld made note of the

"...exceptionally meritorious achievements for the period of 16 June 2000 to 15 June 2001. During this period, the Institute led United States foreign policy efforts worldwide under the State Department's Expanded International Military Education and Training program. Staff members presented 54 seminars in 30 countries and trained more than 2,350 senior foreign civilian and military officials. The Institute staff executed State Department policy by providing international humanitarian law training to Russian Federation Forces during the conflict in Chechnya. The faculty worked directly with the Colombian government on human rights and rule of law training for the military, both key components of "Plan Colombia." The institute quickly responded to Administration decisions to conduct rule of law training in Nigeria upon its transition to democracy and to educate members of the Iraqi National Congress on "War Crimes Investigation and Prosecution."

The Iraqi National Congress is now better prepared for the eventual transition of power and the prosecution of war criminals from the current Iraqi regime."

The award recipients included the active duty and civilian staff, as well as Reserve officers from all four Services, who served at DIILS during the period of the award.

It is highly unusual, and possibly unique, for this prestigious award to be presented to a joint U.S. military organization that is a legal organization. DILS is a joint agency activity that is engaged in international legal training on military justice, disciplined military operations, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for human rights. In his presentation, Mr. Millies noted the tremendous efforts put forth by DILLS that merited this award, and commented that he was confident that DIILS is well prepared to successfully face the many challenges that lay ahead for DIILS and the entire Security Assistance community.