The Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management mobile education and training team visits the Netherlands.

DISAM completed its fifteenth MET for the Netherlands in September 2004. The specialized classes were conducted at the the Institute Defensie Leergangen (Defense Military Institute), in Ypenburg, Netherlands, 12-24 September 2004.

The DISAM team members were Lt Col Bill Rimpo, Mr. Don McCormick, and Mr. Ed Smith. Ms. Donna Rickabaugh from the U. S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC-NC) rounded out the MET team.

The team conducted two one-week courses of instruction. During the first week DISAM conducted a specially modified Security Assistance Introduction Course while the second week was devoted to specialized Logistics & Financial Management instruction. The DISAM team was supported by Ms Rickabaugh who conducted U.S. Army specific instruction.

Colonel Jan Raats, Chief, Procurement Department of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) opened each of the courses with a presentation stressing the importance of foreign military sales (FMS) to the Netherlands and the RNLAF in particular. He addressed the enormous challenges the RNLAF is facing in dealing with the FMS system and importance of FMS in supporting their requirements in an era of austere budgets. He emphasized to the students that the knowledge gained from their attendance at the course needs to be applied to their daily duties in order to meet cost, schedule and performance.

During the first week of instruction the DISAM faculty focused on the basics of FMS legislation and policy, process, technology transfer, acquisition, and a brief introduction to logistics and finance. The team also received support from the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC). Lt Col Ralph King, Chief, AF Section and Mr. Randy Meyers, Training Administrator participated in the opening ceremonies. Mr. Meyers presented a briefing on the functions of the ODC with specific emphasis on the international student processing procedures in the Netherlands.

The second week focused on more details in the logistics and financial specialties. During this intense period of instruction, Ms Rickabaugh presented comprehensive instruction on the U. S. Army logistics systems and supply discrepancy reporting while the DISAM team focused on the DoD logistics and finance systems and procedures. The students weren't done when the U. S. team completed instruction for the day as the RNLAF presented material unique to the Dutch way of doing business with the U. S. Government. Again instruction was focused on logistics and finance from the Dutch perspective At the conclusion of instruction the students were presented with comprehensive exercises to challenge their understand of the logistics and financial workings of the FMS and DoD processes. The specially tailored exercise was designed to take the students through the FMS process from Letter of Request to logistics issues concluding with financial aspects of case management and closure.

At the conclusion of both classes, it was DISAM's honor to have graduation ceremonies presided over by Air Commodore Geert M. Bergsma, Deputy Comptroller of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Air Commodore Bergsma was a graduate of the DISAM in-residence course in 1984. He brought along his original DISAM Diploma, and class photographs that he had keep for 20 years! The Commodore highlighted the significant changes taking place in the Netherlands logistics and financial communities. The Ministry of Defense is in the midst of major restructuring that will have significant impacts on the way business is conducted with regards to FMS and commercial purchases of defense articles and services. He emphasized the special nature of this MET and the close relationship between the Dutch Air Force and other services.

Special thanks go to Mr. Rob Choufoer, Ms Ines Bechan and Ms Anja Cooyman of the RNLAF FMS program. They were responsible for planning, and coordinating the training with DISAM, receiving and delivering the training materials, and assisting the team each day.

Forrest "Ed" Smith

Instructor

Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management

Mr. Forrest E. "Ed" Smith has an extensive background in security assistance programs and training. He is an Associate Professor of Security Assistance Management at DISAM. He has also held security assistance positions as a Logistics Analyst for DSAMS Training and Field Support, Chief, Arabian Programs Branch, Air Force Security Assistance Center (AFSAC), AFLC Security Assistance Program Liaison Officer to PACOM, and Security Assistance Program Manager, International Logistics Center (ILC). He was awarded a Master of Science/ Logistics Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Business Administration/Business and Finance from the University of Massachusetts.