DOD REGIONAL CENTERS

 

George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (GCMC) - Garmisch, Germany, est. 1993 


Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) - Honolulu, Hawaii, est. 1995


William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies  (WJPC) - Washington, D.C., est. 1997


Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) - Washington, D.C., est. 1999


Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies (TSC) - Anchorage, AK, est. 2021 

 

Authorized under 10 U.S.C. § 342, the DoD Regional Centers for Security Studies (RCs) are international venues for bilateral and multilateral research, communication, exchange of ideas, and training involving U.S. and foreign military, civilian, and nongovernmental participants, utilizing their unique academic forums to build strong, sustainable international networks of security leaders. RCs are unique among institutional capacity building (ICB) providers, as they target a primarily multilateral, inter-ministerial, senior-level audience.

The RCs support the National Defense Strategy objective of strengthening alliances and attracting new partners by: (1) Offering executive-development strategic-security studies, research and outreach in rigorous outreach programs that foster long-term collaborative relationships; (2) Developing and sustaining relationships and communities of interest among security practitioners and national security establishments, especially in defense, throughout the region; and (3) Enhancing enduring partnerships among the nations of the region.

While RCs support a range of policy priorities directed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Combatant Commands (CCMDs), and requests from foreign partners, they prioritize three functional areas, in accordance with their statutory mandate: territorial and maritime security, transnational and asymmetric threats, and defense sector governance.

The RCs interface with a variety of actors in the Department of Defense:

  • Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USDP): Advises the Secretary of Defense on RC policies and activities, and coordinates with the CCMDs on RC policies and activities. Provides guidance, direction, and oversight for the RCs. On an annual basis, reviews program plan and structure of each RC in order to determine whether each RC is appropriately aligned with the strategic priorities of the DoD and CCMDs, making any necessary revisions to better align activities. Serves as the RC directors' senior rating official, in consultation with the lead CCMD, and designates an appropriate regional ASD to serve as the first-line rating official for each RC director.
  • Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities (ASD(SPC)): Coordinates OUSD(P) direction and oversight of the RCs.
  • ​Policy Regional Assistant Secretaries of Defense: Provide regional policy guidance to the Regional Centers operating in his or her designated AOR in coordination with the geographic CCMDs. This responsibility may be delegated to the relevant regional DASDs.
  • Policy Functional Assistant Secretaries of Defense: Provide guidance to the RC directors on matters within their functional areas through the ASD(SPC).
  • Combatant Commander: RCs coordinate with relevant CCMDs to develop innovative and creative programs relevant to their AORs to support implementation of the defense strategy, in general, and geographic CCMD theater campaign objectives, specifically. CCMDs serve as advocates for the RCs in engagements with military counterparts and ministries of defense within the CCMD's AOR.
  • DSCA: As Executive Agent, provides programming, budgeting and financial management of the resources to support the operation of the centers; provides civilian personnel to staff, including military and civilian human resources services, support and personnel management.
  • Regional Center Directors: Develop and implement activities in accordance with guidance from the USD(P), in coordination with the appropriate ASD, lead CCMD, and other CCMDs as applicable, and within administrative and resource guidance from the Director, DSCA.