The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) officially launched the Defense Security Cooperation Service yesterday in a ceremony at the Pentagon.
"The launch of the Defense Security Cooperation Service comes at a pivotal moment for America's security cooperation enterprise, because the assistance you provide our allies and partners is more in-demand than ever before," said Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks in a speech at the launch ceremony. "The ability of our allies and partners to win future wars will be shaped by what our security cooperation community does today to deliver for their warfighters tomorrow."
Both the title 10 U.S. Code Section 384 and the NDS direct the Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure that those who represent the DoD to our Allies and partners are a professionalized force, with the training and support necessary to advance our national security objectives.
In April 2023, Secretary Austin approved a plan to implement a suite of initiatives aimed at improving the security cooperation (SC) workforce as part of the National Defense Strategy (NDS) mission demands. To meet the goals of these initiatives, the FY24 NDAA and the Secretary of Defense authorized the creation of the Defense Security Cooperation Service (DSCS).
DSCS will consolidate the support infrastructure of DoD's critical Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) personnel at U.S. Embassies under DSCA management to ensure the proper organization, staffing, training, and equipping of these vital global organizations.
"Investing in our workforce will build enduring advantages that bolster strength and resilience," said Mike Miller, DSCA Acting Director. "The security cooperation workforce makes up the backbone of DoD's relationship-building mechanism."
SCOs comprise the front line of personnel in the SC workforce. Located in or associated with U.S. diplomatic facilities worldwide, SCOs serve in positions of influence as the foremost points of contact between the Department of Defense and the host nation Ministry of Defense. They are responsible for overseeing and implementing in-country security cooperation, to include security assistance programs, and for facilitating cooperation in research, development, and acquisition with allied and partner nations.
DSCS aims to transform the way personnel performing security cooperation duties in U.S. embassies worldwide are organized and managed.
Combatant commanders will retain control of SCO personnel and benefit from highly-skilled Security Cooperation specialists throughout their area of responsibility.
Adequately resourcing and preparing SCOs is essential to implement NDS and to strengthen allies and partners.
Video of the ceremony is available here: https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Videos/videoid/938594/