Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management online learning reaches out to the Security Cooperation community.

The Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management's (DISAM's) online learning program began modestly with the roll out of the Security Assistance Management Orientation Course (SAM-OC) and the International Programs Security Requirements-Online (IPSR-OL) courses. Since the initial fielding of these two courses, DISAM's online offerings have greatly expanded to support the security cooperation community. In addition to the two primary courses, DISAM has developed several new products for U.S. Government employees, industry, and the international purchaser. A complete review of all available DISAM courses can be found on our web site: www.disam.dsca.mil. By selecting "Course Catalog/Registration" from the menu, and our online offerings can be found by selecting "On Line Learning."

Security Cooperation Officers' Orientation Courses

DISAM's newest offering is the Security Cooperation Officer's Orientation Course (SCM-OC). The purpose of the SCM-OC courses is to provide interim orientation on security cooperation to DoD personnel on orders to serve in a security cooperation organization (SCO) overseas who are unable to attend DISAM prior to deployment. This course was developed especially for military personnel deploying to security cooperation assignments in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon ("PAIL" countries) but is also applicable to other countries. DISAM considers this course an orientation in basic security cooperation, logistics, and acquisition in the sense that it is not a substitute for resident instruction at DISAM (normally SCM-O) but does provide minimal "survival" instruction on policies, organizations, responsibilities, and procedures necessary for individuals serving in an SCO. The SCM-OC consists of four separate courses which are available to the student depending on their functional responsibilities:

* SCM-OC (Orientation) is a general overview for those who don't know what their position will be or who need only a basic understanding of security assistance.

* SCM-OL (Logistics) includes core information from the Orientation Course but incorporates additional instruction on the management of DoD logistics.

* SCM-OA (Acquisition) includes core information from the Orientation Course but incorporates additional instruction in the management of foreign military sales (FMS) acquisition and international armaments cooperation.

* SCM-OL/OA (Logistics & Acquisition) includes core information from the Orientation Course, Acquisition, and Logistics. Personnel anticipating responsibilities in both logistics and acquisition should select this option.

Security Cooperation Refresher Classes

The Security Cooperation Refresher Classes are designed for those individuals that have previously attended a DISAM in resident or on-line course and require refresher training in one or more specific topics, e.g., logistics, acquisition finance, training management, etc. Students preparing to attend a DISAM resident advanced course would also benefit from a review of the applicable refresher class.

Six topics are covered in the Security Cooperation Refresher Classes. Each topic includes applicable prerequisite basic lessons (such as Introduction to Security Assistance) and one or more core topic lessons. The six topics are:

* Process

* Acquisition

* Logistics

* Finance

* Training

* Security Cooperation

Specialized Guides

Four specialized guides are also available through the DISAM web site:

* The Letter of Request (LOR) Writing Guide provides the international purchaser detailed information on preparing a comprehensive LOR. This guide discusses the pre-LOR planning phase, the elements that should be considered in preparing a well thought out LOR, and an example of a comprehensive LOR. The LOR Writing Guide includes many links to military department (MILDEP) resources and specific sections from the Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM).

* Military Standard Requisition and Issue Procedures (MILSTRIP) for FMS will introduce the student to the standard and unique codes that make up a MILSTRIP document, the common documents used within the U.S. supply system, and how to interpret status documents sent to the customer. A unique feature of the guide is the MILSTRIP Translator. The MILSTRIP Translator takes the codes in selected fields and expands them into their full definitions.

* The International Military Student (IMS) Pre-Departure Briefing was prepared for the training managers in the security cooperation offices to use in briefing the International Military Student prior to departure for training in the U.S.

* The site also includes the Defense Institute for International Legal Studies (DIILS) Human Rights Guide for all interested individuals.

Online Support to Residence Courses

Recognizing the expanding importance of online learning to facilitate education, DISAM now requires students attending the Logistics Support Course (SAM-CS) to complete a prerequisite prior to attending the residence course. The SAM-CS Prerequisite Course is designed to ensure all students have a basic understanding of Security Cooperation and DoD logistics thereby allowing greater focus on advanced logistics topics.

Beginning in August 2009, the International Programs Security Requirements (IPSR) in the SAM-C course will be fulfilled through a combination of in-class instruction and online learning. The online portion of the course must be completed prior to graduation in order for the student to receive the SAM-C and IPSR course certificates.

For more information concerning the DISAM online courses please contact:

* Mr. Bill Rimpo, 937-255-8187, [e-mail]

* Mr. Rick Rempes, 937-255-3899, [e-mail]

By William Rimpo

Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management

Distance Learning Program Manager