New missions drive changes at Defense Security Cooperation Agency

DISAM Journal, Summer, 2005

July 1, 2005, DSCA realigned several mission areas to improve overall flexibility and responsiveness in meeting emerging worldwide requirements.

Programs such as Humanitarian Assistance and Mine Action (HAMA), the Counterterrorism Fellowship Program (CTFP), Training and Equipment, and Enhanced End-Use Monitoring have changed the nature of the work done in DSCA.

According to Lieutenant General Jeff Kohler:

The rapid expansion of non-traditional security assistance justified a review, and last February 2005, I met with the senior DSCA staff to discuss the way ahead.

As a result DSCA had reorganized several directorates to enhance services in all mission areas.

* First, DSCA combined two former regional directorates.

** Europe, Russia, Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa and Middle East, Asia, North Africa into a single flexible unit. Aggregating all country program directors under a single unit will enhance capacity to respond easily to urgent needs around the globe.

* Second, the Policy, Plans and Programs Directorate was replaced by two new directorates.

** The Programs directorate consolidates missions with a functional, worldwide focus. The new directorate oversees programs such as HAMA, Weapons, International Training, and End-Use Monitoring.

** The Strategy Directorate will develop strategic plans, policy and requirements to meet new Security Cooperation challenges related to the Global War on Terrorism. Functions will include resource programming, policy formulation and process evaluation.

The rest of the DSCA organization did not change.