The Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management mobile education and training team visits the Netherlands - Education and Training

DISAM Journal, Wntr, 2003 by Bill Lieutenant Colonel Rimpo

Since the beginning of fiscal year 2002, the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management (DISAM) has sent thirteen mobile education teams (METs) to numerous countries around the world. On September 9, 2002 DISAM completed its fourteenth MET in the Netherlands and concluded an intense period of instruction on September 20, 2002. Classes were conducted at the Koningshof European Training and Education Center in Veldhoven. The DISAM team consisted of Dr Craig Brandt, Lieutenant Colonel Rimpo, Mr. Tom Selden, Ms. Joanne Hawkins, and John Clelan, and was assisted by Ms. Lisa Johnson, from the Air Force Security Assistance Center (AFSAC). The group conducted two simultaneous Foreign Purchaser Executive Courses followed by separate tailored logistics and finance courses for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). Ms. Patti Vocke (DISAM) accompanied the team and provided superb administrative support.

Colonel Jan Raats, Chief of the Acquisition Department of the RNLAF opened the courses with a presentation stressing the importance of foreign military sales (FMS) to the Netherlands. He gave the Dutch view of the challenges of dealing through the FMS system pointing out how the different outlooks of the U.S. and the Netherlands guide the actions of each country. He made it clear to the students that they should take knowledge gained from their attendance at the course and apply their knowledge in their daily duties.

On September 11, at 0846 New York time, the senior officer in the class, Colonel Bert van Slooten, RNLAF, offered moving remarks on the meaning of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, New York, to both the U.S. and the Netherlands. The hotel also displayed its own recognition of this fateful date by lowering the American flag in front of the hotel to half mast.

At the conclusion of an action packed first week, it was DJSAM's pleasure to have the Foreign Purchasers Executive Course graduation ceremony presided over by Ed Visser, Director Control of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Visser highlighted the changes taking place in the Netherlands, especially in the finance arena. He emphasized the special nature of this MET and the close relationship between the Dutch Air Force and DISAM in preparing the goals for the tailored instruction in logistics and finance for the second week.

Week two proved to be just as successful as week one. A pre-deployment meeting between the Dutch and the DISAM team laid the groundwork for the tailored courses of the second week. The RNLAF requested detailed information on FMS logistics and finance, including a block of instruction on the many financial systems in place in the Air Force and DoD and how they interact to control and account for expenditures of Dutch funds. Ms. Lisa Johnson, from AFSAC, accompanied the DISAM team as a special guest lecturer to discuss the complexities of the Air Force financial systems. Ms. Johnson proved to be a valuable addition to the team; this was a win-win solution for AFSAC, DISAM, and most importantly the students.

Our Dutch hosts kept the students busy by conducting special classes following DISAM's instruction. Visser's graduation remarks set the stage for the Dutch instruction, "FMS principals are leading" but "we have our own laws and legislation" which have to be considered. Dutch instructors presented the RNLAF perspective on FMS stressing the importance of active management of each case.

The tailored logistics and finance courses were on the mark, providing the detailed information requested by the RNLAF. Exercises tailored for the Dutch provided effective reinforcement for the material covered in class.

Air Commodore Gerard Meijer, Commander, RNLAF Logistics Center, Woensdrecht presided over the graduation ceremonies for the combined courses of the second week. Air Commodore Meijer reiterated the need for proactive management of the Dutch FMS cases.

Not only was the MET successful in achieving the educational goals, but the team also had many opportunities to interact with the students. Two social events and a kegeling match provided relief from the intense instruction the students received while providing a measure of comic relief in our attempt to master the difficult art of kegeling. Special thanks go to Mr Wim Meijlink, Mr Rob Choufoer and the rest of the Dutch working group. Their assistance and proactive involvement guaranteed a successful Netherlands MET.

About the Author

Lieutenant Colonel Bill Rimpo is an Assistant Professor of Security Assistance Management at the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management. He is the deputy director of Academic Support. He graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology with a M.S. in logistics management in 1986. He served in a variety of operations and maintenance positions in the inter continental ballistic missile career field as well as logistics plans in Air Force Materiel Command and Defense Logistics Agency.