Defense Security Cooperation Certificate Program.

As part of his opening remarks at the 2000 Security Cooperation Conference, Lieutenant General Michael S. Davison, Jr., Director, DSCA, announced the creation of the Defense Security Cooperation Certificate program. This initiative is designed to encourage security cooperation personnel to broaden their technical knowledge of security cooperation policies and procedures, to enhance their relevant management skills, and to provide them the necessary tools to learn about and adapt to the constantly changing security cooperation environment.

Individuals serving in security cooperation-related positions can choose either the Defense Security Cooperation Career Professional Certificate, International Certificate, or Training Manager Certificate. This certificate program is jointly supported by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management, and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA). The Defense Security Cooperation Certificate program complements any certifications earned by members of the defense acquisition workforce under the auspices of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act. The Defense Security Cooperation Certificates can be earned by security cooperation professionals working in a broad range of functional specialties such as finance, contracting, program management, etc.

The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) has agreed to provide a free subscription to its magazine, National Defense, in addition to a copy of the annual National Defense Mega Directory, to serve as an award to all individuals who receive a certificate. Government personnel will receive a free one-year subscription and contractor personnel will receive a free three-month subscription, in accordance with standard NDIA policy.

Security cooperation professionals across the broad range of military departments, headquarters, and field organizations can earn one of the certificates listed below through a combination of formal coursework and job experience. Be sure to consult the DISAM Catalog or home page for course eligibility requirements. Please note that the last DISAM course must have been completed no more than four years prior to the date of the certificate request. This policy may require the individual to take the Advanced (SAM-A) or another DISAM course in addition to the courses listed as minimum requirements for each certificate. Each course completion may be applied to only one certificate; i.e., the same course completion may not used to request more than one certificate.

In a letter, Defense Security Cooperation Certificate Program, 13 July 2000 (1-007835/00) (available in Defense Acquisition Deskbook), Lieutenant General Davison confirmed the implementation of the certificate program, and recommended that the certificates, to be signed by the Director, DSCA, be presented in an appropriate ceremony in the individual's home organization.

Defense Security Cooperation Career Professional Certificate

This certificate is designed to recognize U.S. military and civilian personnel serving within the Department of Defense in functional areas which support U.S. international security cooperation programs, and defense industry personnel involved in international sales.

Certificate Requirements -- Successful completion of all of the following courses and a statement by the supervisor that the individual has served at least three years in a Security Cooperation-related position.

* CONUS (SAM-C)

* Case Management (SAM-CM)

* Financial Management (SAM-CF)

* Logistics/Customer Support (SAM-CS) or Case Reconciliation (SAM-CR) or Training Officer (SAM-TO) or Advanced Course (SAM-A).

Defense Security Cooperation International Certificate

This certificate is designed to recognize security cooperation managers representing international purchaser/recipient countries or international organizations, local national or U.S Government employees of U.S. security cooperation organizations (SAOs) overseas, unified command representatives, and defense industry personnel involved in international sales.

Certificate Requirements -- Successful completion of two of the following courses and statement by the supervisor that the individual has served at least three years in a security cooperation-related position.

* Logistics/Customer Support (SAM-CS)

* Executive (SAM-E)

* Foreign Purchaser (SAM-F) or Foreign Purchaser Executive (SAM-FE)

* Planning and Resource Management (SAM-P)

* Overseas (SAM-O)

* Advanced (SAM-A).

Defense Security Cooperation Training Manager Certificate

This certificate is designed to recognize U.S. military and civilian personnel serving as international military student officers (IMSO) and other training managers in functions related to U.S. international security cooperation programs.

Certificate Requirements - Successful completion of all of the following courses and conferences and a statement by the supervisor that the individual has served at least three years in a security cooperation-related position.

* Training Officer (SAM-TO)

* Cross-Cultural Communications (CCC) Course, USAF Special Operations School

* IMSO Annual Conference (attend at least one sponsored by own military department).

About the Author

Lieutenant Colonel Karen W. Currie is a supply officer in the United States Air Force. She is presently serving as the Deputy Director of Management Studies at the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management (DISAM). Prior to her assignment at DISAM, Lt Col Currie spent six years as a graduate faculty member at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). She holds a Ph.D. in Business Analysis from Texas A&M University, an M.S. in Logistics Management from AFIT, and an M.A. in Diplomacy from the University of Kentucky.