The DISAM Journal of international security assistance management.

Our cover feature is a series of articles acquainting us with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). DCMA, as one of seven combat support agencies within the Department of Defense, is fulfilling vital support to U.S. initiatives via its deployed Contingency Con tract Administration Services Teams. Moreover, its personnel are also performing key duties in con tract support of foreign military sales customer nations. Whether embedding a foreign military sale in a larger contract, or building a support case related to a direct commercial sale, your organization and our allies benefit from DCMA's expertise.

As with every Journal edition, we have attempted to capture the most important and timely information possible to pass on to you. The annual spring edition traditionally emphasizes the year's security assistance budget, along with accompanying articles surrounding the U.S. foreign policy that shapes it. This year is no different, underscored by the transcript of Secretary Powell's testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee regarding the International Affairs Budget for fiscal year 2004. Among other policy-related compositions, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, James A. Kelly, addresses current newsmakers, China and North Korea.

If international military education and training (IMET) is up your alley, you might be interested in Expanded IMET's (E-IMET) human rights impact in Latin America (El Salvador Guatemala, and Nicaragua). The focus is on research derived from secondary sources and student surveys illustrating potential successes of that program. It attempts to measure the performance and quantify the International Military Education and Training Program's sphere of influence.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Global Master of Arts Program (GMAP II), offering a Master's in International Affairs via the Fletcher School at Tufts University The article covers the basics; for more information visit our website and contact your organization's respective training point of contact at one of the military departments or DISAM Note the application deadline of] July 2003. What a great opportunity for folks to gain a graduate education that directly benefits our mission!

Take a moment to look over the table of contents. There is something here that will catch your eye. Information technology issues extend to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency Information Portal, the Case Execution Management Information System (CEMIS), and the Defense Security Assistance Management System (DSAMS).

Stressing the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management's growing Mobile Education Team requirements, you can read about recent trips to Egypt, Mexico, Algeria, and Estonia. These cover only about one quarter of the team visits anticipated for this fiscal year. The Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) lets us know about their efforts in Sierra Leone.

I will mention that our editors are always looking for thought-provoking security assistance related articles/subjects for publication. Let us know if you have any ideas, whether for your authorship or an area of interest that you would like to know more about. We would like to hear from you!

RONALD H. REYNOLDS

Commandant