---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 343"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "343"
heading: "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/343"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part I — Organization and General Military Powers"
  - "Chapter 16 — Security Cooperation"
  - "Subchapter V — Educational and Training Activities"
---

# §343. Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation

- (a) **Establishment and Administration.—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense may operate an education and [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) [facility](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) for the purpose set forth in [subsection (b)](#b). The [facility](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) shall be known as the “Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation”.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) may designate the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of a [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) as the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense executive agent for carrying out the responsibilities of the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense under this section.
- (b) **Purpose.—** The purpose of the Institute is to provide professional education and [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) to eligible personnel of countries of the Western Hemisphere within the context of the democratic principles set forth in the Charter of the Organization of American [States](/usc/10/4951.md?p=4) (such charter being a treaty to which the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) is a party), while fostering mutual knowledge, transparency, confidence, and cooperation among the participating countries and promoting democratic values, respect for human rights, and knowledge and understanding of [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) customs and traditions.
- (c) **Eligible Personnel.—**
  - (1) Subject to [paragraph (2)](#c-2), personnel of countries of the Western Hemisphere are eligible for education and [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) at the Institute as follows:
    - (A) [Military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) personnel.
    - (B) Law enforcement personnel.
    - (C) Civilian personnel.
  - (2) The Secretary of State shall be consulted in the selection of foreign personnel for education or [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) at the Institute.
- (d) **Curriculum.—**
  - (1) The curriculum of the Institute shall include mandatory instruction for each student, for at least 8 hours, on human rights, the rule of law, due process, civilian control of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8), and the role of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) in a democratic society.
  - (2) The curriculum may include instruction and other educational and [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) activities on the following:
    - (A) Leadership development.
    - (B) Counterdrug operations.
    - (C) Peace support operations.
    - (D) Disaster relief.
    - (E) Any other matter that the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) determines appropriate.
- (e) **Board of Visitors.—**
  - (1) There shall be a Board of Visitors for the Institute. The Board shall be composed of the following:
    - (A) The chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, or a designee of either of them.
    - (B) The chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, or a designee of either of them.
    - (C) Six [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) designated by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense including, to the extent practicable, [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) from academia and the religious and human rights communities.
    - (D) One [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) designated by the Secretary of State.
    - (E) The senior [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) responsible for [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) and doctrine for the Army or, if the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the Navy or the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the Air Force is designated as the executive agent of the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2), the senior [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) responsible for [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) and doctrine for the Navy or Marine Corps or for the Air Force or Space Force, respectively, or a designee of the senior [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) concerned.
    - (F) The commanders of the combatant commands having geographic responsibility for the Western Hemisphere, or the designees of those [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1).
  - (2) A vacancy in a position on the Board shall be filled in the same manner as the position was originally filled.
  - (3) The Board shall meet at least once each year.
  - (4)
    - (A) The Board shall inquire into the curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, and academic methods of the Institute, other matters relating to the Institute that the Board decides to consider, and any other matter that the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense determines appropriate.
    - (B) The Board shall review the curriculum of the Institute to determine whether—
      - (i) the curriculum complies with applicable [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) laws and regulations;
      - (ii) the curriculum is consistent with [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) policy goals toward Latin America and the Caribbean;
      - (iii) the curriculum adheres to current [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) doctrine; and
      - (iv) the instruction under the curriculum appropriately emphasizes the matters specified in [subsection (d)(1)](#d-1).
  - (5) Not later than 60 days after its annual meeting, the Board shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense a written report of its activities and of its views and recommendations pertaining to the Institute.
  - (6) Members of the Board shall not be compensated by reason of service on the Board.
  - (7) With the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, the Board may accept and use the services of voluntary and uncompensated advisers appropriate to the duties of the Board without regard to [section 1342 of title 31](/usc/31/1342.md).
  - (8) Members of the Board and advisers whose services are accepted under [paragraph (7)](#e-7) shall be allowed travel and transportation expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, while away from their homes or [regular](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-12) places of business in the performance of services for the Board. Allowances under this paragraph shall be computed—
    - (A) in the case of members of the Board who are [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) or employees of the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1), at [rates](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-9) authorized for employees of [agencies](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3) under subchapter I of [chapter 57](/usc/5/chptIII/sptD/ch57.md) of title 5; and
    - (B) in the case of other members of the Board and advisers, as authorized under [section 5703 of title 5](/usc/5/5703.md) for employees serving without [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15).
  - (9) [Chapter 10](/usc/5/chptI/ch10.md) of title 5, other than [section 1013 of title 5](/usc/5/1013.md) (relating to termination after two years), shall apply to the Board.
- (f) **Authority To Accept Foreign Gifts and Donations.—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense may, on behalf of the Institute, accept foreign gifts or donations in order to defray the costs of, or enhance the operation of, the Institute.
  - (2) Funds received by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) under [paragraph (1)](#f-1) shall be credited to appropriations available for the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense for the Institute. Funds so credited shall be merged with the appropriations to which credited and shall be available for the Institute for the same purposes and same period as the appropriations with which merged.
  - (3) The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense shall notify Congress if the total amount of money accepted under [paragraph (1)](#f-1) exceeds $1,000,000 in any fiscal year. Any such notice shall list each of the contributors of such money and the amount of each contribution in such fiscal year.
  - (4) For the purposes of this subsection, a foreign gift or donation is a gift or donation of funds, materials (including research materials), property, or services (including lecture services and faculty services) from a foreign government, a foundation or other charitable organization in a foreign country, or an individual in a foreign country.
- (g) **Fixed Costs.—** The fixed costs of operating and maintaining the Institute for a fiscal year may be paid from—
  - (1) any funds available for that fiscal year for operation and maintenance for the executive agent designated under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2); or
  - (2) if no executive agent is designated under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2), any funds available for that fiscal year for the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities.
- (h) **Tuition.—** Tuition fees charged for [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) who attend the Institute may not include the fixed costs of operating and maintaining the Institute.
- (i) **Annual Report.—** Not later than March 15 of each year, the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense shall submit to Congress a detailed report on the activities of the Institute during the preceding year. The report shall include a copy of the latest report of the Board of Visitors received by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) under [subsection (e)(5)](#e-5), together with any comments of the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) on the Board’s report. The report shall be prepared in consultation with the Secretary of State.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title IX, § 911(a)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–226, § 2166; amended Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title X, § 1048(a)(16), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1223; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title IX, § 932, Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2625; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title IX, § 956, Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 296; renumbered § 343 and amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, § 1241(f), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2507; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 924(b)(12), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3823; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(45), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4310.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (e)(9). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted “Chapter 10 of title 5, other than section 1013 of title 5” for “The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), other than section 14”.

2021—Subsec. (e)(1)(E). Pub. L. 116–283 inserted “or Space Force” after “for the Air Force”.

2016—Pub. L. 114–328, § 1241(f)(1), renumbered section 2166 of this title as this section.

Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 114–328, § 1241(f)(2), substituted “countries” for “nations” wherever appearing.

2008—Subsec. (e)(1)(F). Pub. L. 110–181 amended subpar. (F) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (F) read as follows: “The commander of the unified combatant command having geographic responsibility for Latin America, or a designee of that officer.”

2002—Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 107–314, § 932(a), added subsec. (f) and redesignated former subsecs. (f) and (g) as (g) and (h), respectively.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 107–314, § 932(a)(1), (b), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i) and inserted after first sentence “The report shall include a copy of the latest report of the Board of Visitors received by the Secretary under subsection (e)(5), together with any comments of the Secretary on the Board’s report.”

2001—Subsec. (e)(9). Pub. L. 107–107 substituted “(5 U.S.C. App.)” for “(5 U.S.C. App. 2)”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Termination of Reporting Requirements

For termination, effective Dec. 31, 2021, of provisions in subsec. (i) of this section requiring submittal of annual report to Congress, see section 1061 of Pub. L. 114–328, set out as a note under section 111 of this title.