Mexico hosts the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management's mobile education team

DISAM Journal, Spring, 2003 by Andrew P. Lieutenant Colonel White

Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management

Following a request for International Mobile Education Team (IMET) training from the Mexican government, a Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management (DISAM) Foreign Purchasers class was recently taught in Mexico City, from January 13-17, 2003 by faculty members, Michael Layton, LTC Andrew White, USA, and Dr. Craig Brandt. All course arrangements were made by Major David Whiddon, USA, Chief, Training Section of the U.S. Military Liaison Office, U.S. Embassy, Mexico.

The class of eighteen Army and Air Force field and company grade officers, and noncommissioned officers, all of from the Mexico Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), were eager students and highly motivated in learning both the basics and foreign military sales (FMS) case-specifics of the U.S. foreign military assistance program. The class itself was conducted at the Headquarters, Secretariat of National Defense, or more commonly referred to as "the Mexican Pentagon". Translation of the lectures was provided by instructors from the Center for Language Studies of the Mexican Army and Air Force, specifically, Captains J. Pedro Galindo Macias (Army) and Jose Rodriquez Rosales (Air Force). For many of the students working in EMS, this course followed many of the students initial security assistance training received at the Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA), Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Mexico is an important U.S. foreign policy partner. What happens in Mexico has more direct daily impact on U.S. citizens than events in any other country. This partnership exists between the United States and Mexico based on the many things held in common. These include:

* 2,000-mile border with its migration, crime, and trade issues;

* Economic, environmental, and health interdependence of citizens;

* Domestic political interdependence and common social heritage; and

* Shared concern that the citizens of both countries be able to benefit from economic opportunity and growth.

The U.S. government has a major stake in the joint solution to these shared challenges.

Capitalizing on the purposes of providing IMET funds, the DISAM personnel provided professional and technical EMS training in areas of mutual concern, including: U.S. Legislation and Policy, Security Assistance Operations and Training, Acquisition and Technology Transfer, and the EMS process, to include logistics, and financial management. Such specific focus is an effort to strengthen the SEDENXs command application, understanding and management of the EMS and foreign military financing (FMF) programs as well as the introduction of other various security assistance tools. The end result of such training, and others like it, has its effectiveness measured in part by an increased understanding of our joint regional security relationship; the promotion of U.S. trained officers and civilian personnel to positions of leadership and command; increased interoperability and cooperation in joint military operations, and continued effectiveness in counter-drug and other law enforcement support missions.

Our Mexican allies were pleased with the DISAM team visit and the course presentation, and were engaging students as well as extremely gracious hosts. After a rigorous 40-hour course week, the subsequent graduation ceremonies were presided over by Lieutenant General Fausto Manuel Zamorano Esparza, Director General of Administration in the Secretariat of National Defense. He was assisted by Brigadier General Juan Manuel Castillo Segura, Deputy Director for Acquisition, and by Colonel Felix 0. Gonzalez, USA, Chief, USMLO, who offered remarks on the strong and growing importance of and the continued military security assistance relationship between the United States of America and the United States of Mexico. The class selected Lieutenant Alex Omar Anaya Jurado to speak on its behalf, while Dr. Brandt providing closing DJSAM remarks.

Following the graduation ceremonies, the class treated the DISAM faculty to a home cooked Mexican feast prepared at the family home of one of the students, Lieutenant Alfredo Lopez Rivera, followed by an excursion to a few local cities and fairs in the environs of Mexico City. All-in-all, this MET was outstanding, and the DISAM team left with a stronger impression that security assistance between these two great nations was of significant importance in securing our mutual interests and borders.

About the Author

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew White, USA is an Instructor of Security Assistance Management at the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management. He is also the Deputy Director of Management Studies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from the Niagara University, and is working towards completing a Masters of Science Administration with a concentration in Strategic Leadership from Central Michigan University. He has served eighteen years in numerous logistical and command positions in such units as, the 1St Armored Division, the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), and the Logistics Support Activity with the Army Material Command.