Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

Security Cooperation Workforce Certification 2.0 Launch The Department of Defense Security Cooperation Workforce (SCW) can now map Certification 2.0 course requirements by registering for fiscal year 2025 Defense Security Cooperation University courses. The completely revamped Certification 2.0 Program will help ensure the approximately 15,0000 DOD personnel assigned to statutorily defined and coded SCW positions have the competency-based training and experience necessary to carry out assigned #SecurityCooperation responsibilities. Not sure how to get started with Certification 2.0? SCW members can find Certification 2.0 resources, to include requirements, workforce coding details, frequently asked questions, and registration information, at  https://lnkd.in/enn2JaBW. To date, DSCU, in collaboration with the DOD security cooperation enterprise, has accomplished the main objective of the Certification 2.0 Program, the establishment of a framework to guide DOD security cooperation training and education. This can be found in the Interim Implementation Guidelines for the DOD Security Cooperation Workforce Program 2.0. Certification 2.0 also provides the SCW a consistent, disciplined mechanism to ensure National Defense Strategy objectives are achieved through appropriate education, training, and development, which has been divided into nine functional areas. Certification 2.0 includes completely new and enhanced curriculum and a requirement to properly code SCW positions in manpower systems of record to reflect these enhancements. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eEq3Wa9X   #dsca #dscu #isg #drmi #diils

Interested in joining our team? Click the following link for an job announcement for a GS-0130-13/14/15 Foreign Affairs Specialist position. The announcement on USAJobs is open from August 26, 2024 through August 25, 2025, and can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dGK29DrJ. What is an open and continuous announcement? This announcement is not for a specific position that currently exists. It is instead an innovative recruitment mechanism that potentially enables us to fill vacant positions more quickly. In the past year, Policy selected nearly a dozen candidates from the cert lists for our previous one-year open and continuous announcement, saving hiring managers a significant amount of time and energy in the recruitment process. Candidates can apply over the course of the next year until the announcement closes on August 25, 2025. Washington Headquarters Services will periodically pull candidate applications at set points during the open period and produce an interim list of candidates certified for consideration at each grade level (“cert lists”). Please note the “cut-off dates” specified in the job announcement, and the limit of 100 resumes to be considered for each cut-off date. Given the volume of resumes OSD Policy announcements typically receive, it may behoove interested candidates to apply early in a given cycle, as the maximum number of applications is likely be reached well before each cut-off date. As always, candidates should read the full announcement and ensure that their applications are complete and adhere to all stated requirements. For example, candidate resumes must contain dates of employment for each position listed (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present).    Note OPM guidance on what a federal resume should include: https://lnkd.in/eiRhPf3q Candidates who may qualify under a special hiring authority, such as Schedule A disability, should select “Special Appointing Authorities” in the section of questions related to eligibility and upload the required documents demonstrating their eligibility. 

The United States is achieving major results in the Indo-Pacific with our allies and partners. That's why Secretary Austin is heading to the region for the tenth time since becoming Secretary. Secretary Austin's trip comes as the DoD continues to strengthen U.S. relationships with allies and partners in support of a shared regional vision for peace, stability, and deterrence.

Performing the Duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Melissa Dalton recently met with Deputy Commander of the Italian Carabinieri Lt. Gen. Riccardo Galletta at the Pentagon. During the meeting, the leaders discussed a wide variety of global security topics, to include stabilization operations, security threats along NATO's southern flank, countering irregular warfare, bolstering security in fragile states, and the employment of the Carabinieri's unique stability policing capabilities to address the most pressing global challenges. More: https://lnkd.in/eZqkzW_V U.S. European Command United States Department of Defense

Recently, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) officially launched the Brigadier General Charles Young Research, Analysis, and Lessons Learned Institute within the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU)!   The DSCU Young Institute serves the #SecurityCooperation enterprise through research, critical inquiry, and scholarship that advances the knowledge and practice of security cooperation.   Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities Madeline Mortelmans provided keynote remarks. She discussed how a highly professional and informed security cooperation workforce is critical to achieving U.S. foreign policy and National Defense Strategy objectives. Also, she welcomed and thanked members of the Young family and the Charles Young Foundation for their attendance and their mission to preserve the legacy of a great American.   Read more about Brigadier General Young, DSCU’s new Young Institute, and how DSCU is responding to legislative mandates here: https://lnkd.in/eKPAubCS   Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy #dsca #dscu 

As Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III prepares to deliver the commencement address at South Carolina State University tomorrow, DoD News’ Joseph C. sat down with SCSU Alum Brandon Brown, Director of Transnational Threats Policy. Brandon is an ‘09 graduate and was a direct hire into Policy following a successful internship in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readinness. Learn more about Brandon’s path and his views on a career in public service: https://lnkd.in/ez7SJXfe

Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Amanda Dory co-chaired the 10th U.S.-UAE Joint Military Dialogue with UAE Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lt. Gen Eisa Al Mazrouie at the Pentagon this week. Both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral defense relationship. More: https://lnkd.in/eW4bt8VQ U. S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) United Arab Emirates

I recently had the opportunity to visit our Baltics nation allies, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia with DSCA Director Jim Hursch. These nations have been allies with the United States since 1922 and have several notable Security Cooperation programs with us.    I spent my first day in Lithuania where I met with acting Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL), Darius Marozas for the Lithuanian Armed Forces, an old classmate of mine from the Army Sergeants Major Academy. There, I got an overview of their current and emerging efforts to further develop interoperable Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) for greater synergy inside the NATO Alliance. I then travelled to Latvia on my second day where I met with Latvian CSEL Edgars Joksts-Bogdanovs. SGM Joksts-Bogdanovs expressed Latvia’s desire to have the United States as their partner of choice for both capabilities and NCO development. Together, we attended a meeting with Mr. Hursch and the Latvian Chief of Defence Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņš, further strengthening the senior leader and enlisted leader relationship that is growing stronger throughout our partners and Allies’ militaries. On my final day, I visited Estonia, where I met with the Estonia Defense Forces CSEL Enn Adoson to discuss NATO NCO interoperability, and training and exercise opportunities that could bolster the U.S.- Estonia relationship. I also met with the Baltic Defense College (BDC) CSEL Alvydas Tamosiunas and discussed their critical role in educating U.S. and Partner Nation CSELs on leadership that creates more interoperability on the battlefield and long-lasting relationships. In addition, we discussed the critical role of space-centric curriculum integrated into the BDC CSEL Course to ensure our future leaders understand and can lead in this complex mission area. #DSCA #securitycooperation #NATO #Lithuania #Latvia #Estonia #ncos

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy salutes Ms. Sasha Baker who concluded her tour as Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, April 26. We are deeply grateful for her outstanding contributions to the United States Department of Defense and U.S. national security. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III: “Acting Under Secretary Baker was asked to step into a difficult and critical position, and she has been a pillar of strength and wisdom. Under her leadership, our Policy team has helped the Department navigate a range of complex global challenges, including major crises in Ukraine and the Middle East. Her strategic acumen and steadfast commitment to our national security have helped her play a pivotal role in shaping our defense policies, tackling emerging threats, and strengthening interagency relationships and international alliances. As Acting Under Secretary Baker moves on to her next chapter, we wish her continued success and thank her for her service to the Department and the United States.” Office of the Secretary of Defense https://lnkd.in/e6K-f3ji