DoD Regional Centers (RC)

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

Near East-South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA) - Washington, D.C., est. 2000

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

DSCA 5RC Logos


Purpose:

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 Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs), 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.

Who:

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USDP): Advises the Secretary of Defense on RC policies and activities, and coordinates with the Geographic Combatant Commanders (GCCs) 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 GCCs, making any necessary revisions to better align activities. Serves as the RC directors' senior rating official, in consultation with the lead GCC, 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: Establish associated policy and procedures, as necessary, including assigning specific areas of focus and country assignments for each RC.

Policy Functional Assistant Secretaries of Defense: Provide guidance to the RC directors on matters within their functional areas through the ASD(SPC).

Geographic Combatant Commander (GCC): RCs coordinate with relevant GCCs 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. GCCs serve as advocates for the RCs in engagements with military counterparts and ministries of defense within the GCC'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 GCC, and other GCCs as applicable, and within administrative and resource guidance from the Director, DSCA.