Security Cooperation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Role

The forthcoming reduction of the federal budget will affect U.S. National Security. Policy leaders must make informed decisions on how best to allocate shrinking resources. Resources should be allocated to those programs that have the greatest impact on National Security as compared to the cost of the investment. Security Cooperation is one such program. The Security Cooperation SC Program is a critical means by which the Department of Defense can work with other countries to achieve the United States strategic objectives. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers USACE plays an important role in the implementation of this program. The first part of this paper explains what SC is, why it is important, and how it is developed and implemented. The latter part of the paper shows how USACE supports implementation and suggest ways to improve this process. It also discusses the important role USACE plays in SC, particularly in the areas of Foreign Military Sales, Foreign Military Financing, International Military Education and Training, and Foreign Military Construction Services. The conclusion discusses several actions at different echelons that can be undertaken to improve the synergy between USACE and other SC actors. At the national level, Congress should re-visit the possibility of repealing the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and its amendments and replace it with legislation that will streamline the process and more clearly define roles and responsibilities. Where possible, the paper will use elements of the United States Pacific Command USPACOM Strategic Guidance to place the discussion into context.