The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has officially launched the Defense Security Cooperation Service (DSCS) during a ceremony held at the Pentagon. This new service aims to enhance the support infrastructure for U.S. Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) personnel stationed at embassies worldwide.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "The launch of the Defense Security Cooperation Service comes at a pivotal moment for America's security cooperation enterprise, because the assistance you provide our allies and partners is more in-demand than ever before." She further noted that "the ability of our allies and partners to win future wars will be shaped by what our security cooperation community does today to deliver for their warfighters tomorrow."
The creation of DSCS aligns with directives from title 10 U.S. Code Section 384 and the National Defense Strategy (NDS), which call for a professionalized force representing the Department of Defense (DoD) to allies and partners. In April 2023, Secretary Austin approved a plan to implement initiatives aimed at improving the security cooperation workforce as part of NDS mission demands. The Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (FY24 NDAA) and Secretary of Defense authorized this development.
Mike Miller, DSCA Acting Director, highlighted the significance of investing in personnel: "Investing in our workforce will build enduring advantages that bolster strength and resilience." He described the security cooperation workforce as essential to DoD's relationship-building efforts.
SCOs play a crucial role within U.S. diplomatic facilities globally, acting as primary contacts between DoD and host nation Ministries of Defense. They oversee in-country security cooperation programs and facilitate research, development, and acquisition collaboration with allied nations.
The DSCS seeks to transform how these personnel are organized and managed within U.S. embassies worldwide while ensuring combatant commanders retain control over SCO personnel in their regions.
Video footage from the ceremony can be accessed here: https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Videos/videoid/938594/
