The Security Cooperation Enterprise

DSCA - A Look at the Wider SC Enterprise from DSCA on Vimeo.

DSCA leads a Security Cooperation (SC) enterprise of more than 20,000 personnel and provides policy, legal, financial, legislative, programmatic, and weapons system expertise to stakeholders across the U.S. interagency.  Here are other stakeholders in the SC process:

  • The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) establishes military requirements and implements programs to transfer defense articles and services to eligible foreign countries and international organizations.
     
  • The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)), which DSCA falls under, serves as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense on SC matters.
     
  • The Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA), an agency under USD(P), establishes DoD technology security policies related to the international transfer of defense-related goods, services, and technologies. DTSA reviews and provides expert recommendations on foreign access to U.S. military technology foreign purchases of U.S defense industry.
     
  • The Military Departments (MILDEPs) advise the Secretary of Defense on all SC matters for their respective departments. The MILDEPs also execute foreign sales and training as Foreign Military Sales (FMS) “Implementing Agencies” (IAs):
     
  • The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) provide implementation guidance for U.S. military plans and programs incorporating SC programs. The JCS also review the military campaign plan assessments and advise (USD(P)) on the effectiveness of SC efforts.
     
  • The Department of State (DOS) is responsible for the management and supervision of all aspects of SC programs within the U.S. Government. The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs’ responsibilities include notifying Congress prior to sales and transfer of defense articles and services to partner nations.
     
  • The Geographic Combatant Commanders (GCCs) develop military campaign plans to conduct SC programs and provide the appropriate assistance as requested by USD(P) or DSCA. The GCCs supervise SC Officers at embassies within their regional area of responsibility in matters related to execution of the Guidance for Employment of the Force, including the provision of necessary technical assistance and administrative support.
     
  • The U.S. Congress reviews proposed sales and transfers of U.S. defense articles and services to partner nations once the DOS approves them and DSCA submits a Congressional Notification. The U.S. Congress may prohibit sales and transfers by enacting a joint resolution before the end of the prescribed Congressional review period. Barring Congressional disapproval, at the end of the notification period, the U.S. Government can offer a Letter of Offer and Acceptance to a partner nation.
     
  • The Department of Commerce works closely with the DOS, and DoD to engage partner nation decision makers on the strategic, military, and economic issues associated with major defense procurements such as the FMS process. Commerce also reviews Excess Defense Article (EDA) allocations for sale to partner nations, materiel surveys, and international agreements and regulates the export of sensitive dual-use goods and technologies.
     
  • U.S. defense industry is an important stakeholder for the SC community, providing defense articles and services for partner nations through programs such as FMS or EDA programs. DSCA is actively working with U.S. defense industry on initiatives to streamline the FMS process, reform technological security and export policy, as well as expand partner nation financing options.
     
  • The National Security Council (NSC) is the President’s principal forum for national security and foreign policy decision making with his or her senior national security advisors and cabinet officials, and serves as the President’s principal arm for coordinating these policies across federal agencies. NSC priorities impact DSCA’s mission and SC programs, which serve to advance U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.
     

View this one-minute video on the mission-set: