The color of training money.

We would like to thank the Air Force Security Assistance Training and Air Education and Training Command for granting us permission to reprint this article originating from the AFSAT/AETC news release.

The Air Force Security Assistance Training (AFSAT) squadron manages numerous international financial programs each year for 137 countries. More than 4,400 international students receive training valued at $323.5M through these diverse programs. While each training program may have different colors of money, or unique financial or program requirements, the same basic accounting principles are followed for funding, obligating, and processing payments. Without a doubt, these training programs help each participating nation meet their legitimate defense needs while promoting the United States (U.S.) national security interests by strengthening relations with friends and allies around the world. Training international students serves to cement cooperative, bilateral military relationships and enhance their interoperability with U.S. forces.

Foreign military sales (FMS) is the largest program managed, accounting for approximately 94 percent of the funding that flows through AFSAT annually. The value of the open training agreements, letters of offer and acceptance (LOAs) reach $2.8B. The Arms Export and Control Act (AECA) provides authorization to train our international partners using the foreign governments' own national funds or by using U.S. government funding. The U.S. government foreign military financing (FMF) is on a grant or loan basis. FMF is authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act and is approved in the Foreign Operations Bill. Training sales are in conjunction with sales of major equipment, in support of annual FMS training requirements, or to support follow-on equipment sales. These are maintained in "no-year" trust accounts for each country.

The International Military Education and Training (IMET) program is authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA), appropriated through the foreign operations bill, with country allocations authorized by the Department of State (DoS) and managed by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). IMET accounts for about 5 percent of the funding at AFSAT. It operates similar to a grant program, except funds remain under U.S. government control and are used exclusively for approved training plans. IMET is funded by an annual appropriation, with a portion of the account used until expended (no-year), and has previously operated with multi-year funds. The IMET is an important tool in developing global relationships, enhancing capabilities and interoperability, meeting U.S. foreign policy objectives, and providing technical and professional military training to foreign governments. Over 100 countries and approximately 1,350 students participate each year under the Air Force IMET program. There are many smaller programs to training international students. Some of the more common programs we use account for approximately 1 percent of AFSAT's funding.

* The Aviation Leadership Program (ALP) consists of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) along with necessary English language training. This small scholarship program is extended at the invitation of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF), managed by SAF/IA, and offered to 20 countries each year. It is annually funded with O&M dollars by HQ AETC/A-3.

* International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) or better known as (INL), has two strategic goals:

** Minimize the impact of international crime on the U.S.

** Reduce the entry of illegal drugs into the U.S.

Training under this program strengthens foreign criminal justice sectors and promotes international cooperation. It is funded through Memorandums of Agreement containing DoS fund cites, or FMS pseudo cases with DoS funding.

Counter Drug Training Support (CDTS or 1004) is rooted in Public Law 101-510, Section 1004, under the National Defense Authorization Act. It uses Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funds to provide counter-narcotics related training to foreign military and law enforcement personnel.

The Regional Defense Counter-Terrorism Fellowship Program (RDCT Fellowship) is a global program targeting top priority countries and designed to assist our allies with combating terrorism. This education-focused program is approved by the Secretary of Defense. Candidates are nominated by the Regional Combatant Commanders, overseen by Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC), and administered by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency under Defense-level O&M funding. Training is provided to build counter-terrorism capabilities and influence countries to cooperate more fully with U.S. and coalition efforts to combat terrorism.

Presidential drawdowns are authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act, where the President may direct the drawdown of defense services, education, and training from the DoD. This takes effect when a determination is made, and reported to Congress, that an unforeseen emergency exists which requires immediate military assistance to a foreign country or international organization, and it cannot be met under the AECA or any other law. Military education and training for unforeseen military emergencies, humanitarian catastrophes, peacekeeping needs, or counter narcotics requirements is provided at no cost to the foreign government. Student travel may be funded with O&M funds, and they may stay in Bachelor Officer and Enlisted Quarters and use dining facilities if operated by DoD funds. The drawdown of commodities and services from the inventory and resources of any agency of the U.S. government can not exceed $25M in any fiscal year.

About the Author

Rob Steffen is a financial analyst in the AFSAT Budget Office. He is an intern who started his financial management career in August 2006, and he can be reached at DSN 487-6109.

Rob Steffan

Air Force Security Assistance Training