DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (O/lq
PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC. ZOBOI-IOIO

 

MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
SUBJECT: Foreign National Military Education and Training

Our National Defense Strategy recognizes the valuable contributions of our allies and
partners. These mutually bene?cial relationships are critical to our strategy and provide the
asymmetric advantage that no competitor can match. These enduring coalitions and long-term
security partnerships, which are underpinned by interoperability, form the bedrock of our
national security.

International military education and training are critical elements of building allies and
partners? capacity, which extends our ability to act decisively to meet the shared challenges of
our time. Currently, the US. military trains personnel from more than 150 partner nations in the
United States. Our military education programs enable our allies and partners to better provide
for their own defense, share the burden of responsibility for regional security and coalition
operations, and maintain regional balances of power favorable to the United States.

The Department of Defense recognizes the importance of long-standing military
education and training with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The Department has trained
more than 28,000 Saudi students over the life of our security cooperation relationship without
serious incident. KSA is an essential partner, and we will continue to partner with the Kingdom
to reinforce defense cooperation, increase military investment, and advance America?s interests.

As we reaf?rm our commitment to these critical military partnerships, so must we assess
the ef?cacy of our security procedures in light of the tragic loss of life on December 6, 2019, at
Naval Air Station Pensacola. In doing so, we will make every effort to ensure the safety of all
personnel and their families on US. military installations. Therefore I direct the Under Secretary
of Defense for Intelligence to take immediate steps to strengthen personnel vetting for
International Military Students (IMS), and to complete a review within 10 days of policies and
procedures for screening foreign students and granting access to our bases. These efforts will
seek to more closely align IMS vetting procedures with those we apply to US. personnel. With
respect to speci?c training programs and personnel under their cognizance, the Secretaries of the
Military Departments may take additional security measures as they see 

The Department is working closely with the Saudi government in our response to this
incident. Pending the completion of a security and safety stand-down led by the Military
Departments, which is supported by the Saudi government, training of KSA military students at
US. installations and facilities will be limited to the classroom.

DISTRIBUTION:

CHIEF MANAGEMENT OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

UNDER SECRETARIES OF DEFENSE

CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU

COMMANDERS OF THE COMBATANT COMMANDS

GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTORS OF DEFENSE AGENCIES

DIRECTORS OF DOD FIELD ACTIVITIES