---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 384"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "384"
heading: "Department of Defense security cooperation workforce development"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/384"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part I — Organization and General Military Powers"
  - "Chapter 16 — Security Cooperation"
  - "Subchapter VII — Administrative and Miscellaneous Matters"
---

# §384. Department of Defense security cooperation workforce development

- (a) **Program Required.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense shall carry out a [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) to be known as the “[Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense Security Cooperation Workforce Development [Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1)” (in this section referred to as the “[Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1)”) to oversee the development and management of a professional workforce supporting [security cooperation programs and activities of the Department of Defense](/usc/10/301.md?p=7), including—
  - (1) assessment, planning, monitoring, execution, evaluation, and administration of such [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) and activities under this chapter; and
  - (2) execution of security assistance [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) and activities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act by the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense.
- (b) **Purpose.—** The purpose of the [Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) is to improve the quality and professionalism of the security cooperation workforce in order to ensure that the workforce—
  - (1) has the capacity, in both personnel and skills, needed to properly perform its mission, provide appropriate support to the assessment, planning, monitoring, execution, evaluation, and administration of security cooperation [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) and activities described in [subsection (a)](#a), and ensure that the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) receives the [best value](/usc/10/3101.md?p=1) for the expenditure of public resources on such [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) and activities; and
  - (2) is assigned in a manner that ensures personnel with the appropriate level of expertise and experience are assigned in sufficient numbers to fulfill requirements for the [security cooperation programs and activities of the Department of Defense](/usc/10/301.md?p=7) and the execution of security assistance [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) and activities described in [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2).
- (c) **Elements.—** The [Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) shall consist of elements relating to the development and management of the security cooperation workforce for the purposes specified in [subsection (b)](#b), including the following elements on [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9), certification, assignment, career development, and tracking of personnel of the security cooperation workforce:
  - (1) Establishment of a comprehensive system to track and account for all [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense personnel in the security cooperation workforce, using systems of [record](/usc/10/801.md?p=14) in the [military departments](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-8), the Office of the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, the combatant commands, [Defense Agencies](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-11), [Department of Defense Field Activities](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-12), and the [National Guard](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-1).
  - (2) Establishment of a management information system, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, acting through the Under [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense for Policy and the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3), to ensure that all organizations and elements of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) provide standardized information and data to the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) on [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) serving in security cooperation positions. Such management information system shall, at a minimum, provide for the collection and retention of information concerning the qualification, assignments, and tenure of [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) in the security cooperation workforce.
  - (3) Implementation and management of the security cooperation human capital initiative under [subsection (e)](#e).
  - (4) Establishment of a defense security cooperation service, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, acting through the Under [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense for Policy and the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3), to ensure that security cooperation organizations of the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) located at overseas missions possess the requisite personnel, and that such personnel possess the skills needed, to properly perform their missions, which shall include—
    - (A) members of the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4) and civilians assigned to security cooperation organizations of [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) missions overseas who are performing security cooperation [functions](/usc/10/467.md?p=1), regardless of funding source; and
    - (B) personnel of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense performing [functions](/usc/10/467.md?p=1) in furtherance of section 515 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ([22 U.S.C. 2321i](/usc/22/2321i.md)).
  - (5) Such other elements as the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense determines appropriate.
- (d) **Management.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The [Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) shall be managed by the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3).
  - (2) **Managing entity.—**
    - (A) **Designation.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, acting through the Under [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense for Policy and the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3), shall designate the Defense Security Cooperation University to serve as the lead entity for managing the implementation of the [Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
    - (B) **Duties.—** The Defense Security Cooperation University shall carry out the management and implementation of the [Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1), consistent with objectives formulated by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, which shall include the following:
      - (i) Providing for comprehensive tracking of and accounting for all [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense employees engaged in the security cooperation enterprise.
      - (ii) Providing [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) requirements specified at the requisite proficiency levels for each position.
    - (C) **Reporting.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense shall ensure that, not less frequently than semi-annually, each [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6), the Office of the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, and each combatant command, [Defense Agency](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-11), [Department of Defense Field Activity](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-12), and unit of the [National Guard](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-1) submits to the Defense Security Cooperation University a formal manpower document as determined by the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3) that—
      - (i) lists each position in the security cooperation workforce of the organization concerned as determined by the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3); and
      - (ii) uniquely codes every position within [component](/usc/10/3011.md?p=13) manpower systems for the security cooperation workforce for the management and career development of the security cooperation workforce, as determined by the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3).
  - (3) **Security cooperation workforce management information system.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, acting through the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3), shall prescribe regulations to ensure that each [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6), the Office of the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, and each combatant command, [Defense Agency](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-11), [Department of Defense Field Activity](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-12), and unit of the [National Guard](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-1) provides standardized information and data to the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) on [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) serving in positions within the security cooperation workforce.
- (e) **Security Cooperation Human Capital Initiative.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) shall implement a security cooperation human capital initiative within the Defense Security Cooperation University to identify, account for, and manage the career progression of personnel in the security cooperation workforce.
  - (2) **Elements.—** The security cooperation human capital initiative shall do the following:
    - (A) Provide direction to the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense on the establishment of professional career paths for the personnel of the security cooperation workforce, addressing [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) and education [standards](/usc/10/3011.md?p=3), promotion opportunities and requirements, retention policies, and scope of workforce demands.
    - (B) Provide for a mechanism to identify and define [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) and certification requirements for security cooperation positions in the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) and a means to track workforce skills and certifications.
    - (C) Provide for a mechanism to establish a [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) of professional certification in [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense security cooperation for personnel of the security cooperation workforce in different career tracks and levels of competency based on requisite [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) and experience.
    - (D) Establish requirements for [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) and professional development associated with each level of certification provided for under [subparagraph (C)](#e-2-C).
    - (E) Provide for a mechanism for assigning appropriately certified personnel of the security cooperation workforce to assignments associated with key positions in connection with security cooperation [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) and activities.
    - (F) Identify the appropriate composition of career and temporary personnel necessary to constitute the security cooperation workforce.
    - (G) Identify specific positions throughout the security cooperation workforce to be managed and assigned through the [Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
    - (H) Identify career paths that provide a competency-based road map for security cooperation employees to aid in their career planning and professional development.
    - (I) Develop a competency-based approach to the security cooperation workforce that enables [components](/usc/10/3011.md?p=13) of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense to incorporate competencies in recruitment and retention tools such as job analysis, position descriptions, vacancy announcements, selection assessment questionnaires, and employee [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) and development plans.
    - (J) Align with the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense and Defense Security Cooperation [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3) strategic planning, budget process, performance management goals, and metrics to ensure the appropriate workforce mix and skill sets to accomplish the security cooperation mission.
    - (K) Include assessment measures intended to assess progress in implementing the security cooperation workforce using results-oriented performance measures.
- (f) **Foreign Military Sales Center of Excellence.—**
  - (1) **Establishment.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense shall direct an educational institution of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense with the requisite expertise in foreign [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) sales and in education, [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9), research, and analysis of the security cooperation workforce within the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense to serve as a Foreign [Military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) Sales Center of Excellence to improve the [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) and education of personnel engaged in foreign [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) sales planning and execution.
  - (2) **Objectives.—** The objectives of the Foreign [Military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) Sales Center of Excellence shall include—
    - (A) conducting research on and promoting best practices for ensuring that foreign [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) sales are timely and effective; and
    - (B) enhancing existing curricula for the purpose of ensuring that the foreign [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) sales workforce is fully trained and prepared to execute the foreign [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) sales [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
- (g) **Defense Security Cooperation University.—**
  - (1) **Charter.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense shall develop and promulgate a charter for the operation of the Defense Security Cooperation University.
  - (2) **Mission.—** The charter required by [paragraph (1)](#g-1) shall set forth the mission, and associated structures and organizations, of the Defense Security Cooperation University, which shall include—
    - (A) management and implementation of international [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [training](/usc/10/301.md?p=9) and education security cooperation [programs](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) and authorities executed by the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense;
    - (B) management and provision of institutional capacity-building services executed by the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense; and
    - (C) advancement of the profession of security cooperation through research, data collection, analysis, publication, and learning.
  - (3) **Cooperative research and development arrangements.—**
    - (A) **In general.—** In engaging in research and development projects pursuant to subsection (a) of [section 4001 of this title](/usc/10/4001.md) by a contract, cooperative agreement, or grant pursuant to [subsection (b)(1)](/usc/10/4001.md?p=b-1) of such section, the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense may enter into such contract or cooperative agreement, or award such grant, through the Defense Security Cooperation University.
    - (B) **Treatment as government-operated federal laboratory.—** The Defense Security Cooperation University shall be considered a Government-operated Federal laboratory for purposes of section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 ([15 U.S.C. 3710a](/usc/15/3710a.md)).
  - (4) **Acceptance of research grants.—**
    - (A) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, through the Under [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense for Policy, may authorize the President of the Defense Security Cooperation University to accept qualifying research grants. Any such grant may only be accepted if the work under the grant is to be carried out by a professor or instructor of the Defense Security Cooperation University for a scientific, literary, or educational purpose.
    - (B) **Qualifying grants.—** A qualifying research grant under this paragraph is a grant that is awarded on a competitive basis by an entity described in [subparagraph (C)](#g-4-C) for a research project with a scientific, literary, or educational purpose.
    - (C) **Entities from which grants may be accepted.—** A grant may be accepted under this paragraph only from a corporation, fund, foundation, educational institution, or similar entity that is organized and operated primarily for scientific, literary, or educational purposes.
    - (D) **Administration of grant funds.—** The Director of the Defense Security Cooperation [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3) shall establish an account for administering funds received as research grants under this section. The President of the Defense Security Cooperation University shall use the funds in the account in accordance with applicable provisions of the regulations and the terms and condition of the grants received.
    - (E) **Related expenses.—** Subject to such limitations as may be provided in appropriations Acts, appropriations available for the Defense Security Cooperation University may be used to [pay](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-15) expenses incurred by the Defense Security Cooperation University in applying for, and otherwise pursuing, the award of qualifying research grants.
    - (F) **Regulations.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, through the Under [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense for Policy, shall prescribe regulations for the administration of this subsection.
- (h) **Source of Funds.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** Funds available to the Defense Security Cooperation [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3), and other funds available to the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense for [security cooperation programs and activities of the Department of Defense](/usc/10/301.md?p=7), may be used to carry out the [Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Budget justification.—** Funds necessary to carry out the [Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) as described in [paragraph (1)](#h-1) for a fiscal year shall be identified, with appropriate justification, in the consolidated budget for such fiscal year required by [section 381 of this title](/usc/10/381.md).
- (i) **Use of Funds.—** Amounts available for use for the [Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) may be transferred to any account of the [military departments](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-8) or the [Defense Agencies](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-11) for purposes of the [Program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
- (j) **Security Cooperation Workforce Defined.—** In this section, the term “security cooperation workforce” means the following:
  - (1) Members of the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4) and civilian employees of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense working in the security cooperation organizations of [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) missions overseas.
  - (2) Members of the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4) and civilian employees of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense in the geographic combatant commands and functional combatant commands responsible for planning, monitoring, or conducting security cooperation activities.
  - (3) Members of the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4) and civilian employees of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense in the [military departments](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-8) performing security cooperation activities, including activities in connection with the acquisition and development of technology [release](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) policies.
  - (4) Other [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) and civilian personnel of [Defense Agencies](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-11) and Field Activities who perform security cooperation activities.
  - (5) Personnel of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense who perform assessments, monitoring, or evaluations of [security cooperation programs and activities of the Department of Defense](/usc/10/301.md?p=7), including assessments under [section 383 of this title](/usc/10/383.md).
  - (6) Other members of the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4) or civilian employees of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense who contribute significantly to the [security cooperation programs and activities of the Department of Defense](/usc/10/301.md?p=7) by virtue of their assigned duties, as determined pursuant to the security cooperation human capital initiative under [subsection (e)](#e).
- (k) **Report on Security Cooperation Workforce.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter, the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense security cooperation workforce.
  - (2) **Elements.—** Each report under [paragraph (1)](#k-1) shall—
    - (A) identify current and projected security cooperation workforce manpower requirements, including expeditionary requirements within the context of total force planning, needed to meet the security cooperation mission;
    - (B) identify critical skill gaps (such as recruitment in the existing or projected workforce) and development of strategies to manage the security cooperation workforce to address those gaps;
    - (C) address development, validation, implementation, and assessment of security cooperation workforce and [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6)-wide competencies for security cooperation and associated occupational series using the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) taxonomy;
    - (D) produce a comparison between competency proficiency levels against target proficiency levels at enterprise and individual levels to identify competency gaps and gap closure strategies, for competencies needed at the time of the report and in the future;
    - (E) identify any exceptions and waivers granted with respect to the application of qualification, assignment, and tenure policies, procedures, and practices to [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2), billets or positions;
    - (F) indicate relative promotion [rates](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-9) for security cooperation workforce personnel;
    - (G) identify the funds requested or allocated for the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense security cooperation workforce and address whether such funds are sufficient to—
      - (i) address the critical skill gaps identified pursuant to [subparagraph (B)](#k-2-B); and
      - (ii) provide incentives to recruit and retain high-quality personnel in the security cooperation workforce; and
    - (H) include any other matters the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense determines appropriate.
- (l) **Comptroller General Evaluation.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The Comptroller General of the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) shall conduct an independent evaluation of the actions taken by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense to carry out the requirements of this section.
  - (2) **Report.—** Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the evaluation conducted under [paragraph (1)](#l-1). Such report shall include—
    - (A) an analysis of the effectiveness of the actions taken by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) to carry out the requirements of this section; and
    - (B) such legislative and administrative recommendations as the Comptroller General considers appropriate to meet the objectives of this section.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title XII, § 1250(a), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2526; amended Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XII, § 1204(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 442.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is Pub. L. 87–195, Sept. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 424, which is classified principally to chapter 32 (§ 2151 et seq.) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2151 of Title 22 and Tables.

The Arms Export Control Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is Pub. L. 90–629, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1320, which is classified principally to chapter 39 (§ 2751 et seq.) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2751 of Title 22 and Tables.

The date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), (2), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 114–328, which was approved Dec. 23, 2016.

The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsecs. (k)(1) and (l)(2), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 118–31, which was approved Dec. 22, 2023.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 384 was renumbered section 284 of this title.

### Amendments

2023—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1204(a)(1), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Program shall consist of such elements relating to the development and management of the security cooperation workforce as the Secretary considers appropriate for the purposes specified in subsection (b), including elements on training, certification, assignment, and career development of personnel of the security cooperation workforce.”

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1204(a)(2), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Program shall be managed by the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.”

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1204(a)(3), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) related to guidance for the execution and administration of the Department of Defense Security Cooperation Workforce Development Program.

Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1204(a)(5), (6), added subsecs. (f) and (g) and redesignated former subsec. (f) as (h). Former subsecs. (g) and (h) redesignated (i) and (j), respectively.

Subsec. (h)(6). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1204(a)(4), substituted “security cooperation human capital initiative under subsection (e)” for “guidance issued under subsection (e)”.

Subsecs. (i), (j). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1204(a)(5), redesignated subsecs. (g) and (h) as (i) and (j), respectively.

Subsecs. (k), (l). Pub. L. 118–31, § 1204(a)(7), added subsecs. (k) and (l).