# Department Of Defense Directive

## Usd(P)/Usd(I) Subject: Department Of Defense Operations At U.S. Embassies


References: (a) Section 2321(i) and section 3927(a), title 22, United States Code
(b) Section 801, title 10, United States Code

(c) DoD Directive 5105.47, "U.S. Defense Representative (USDR) in Foreign
Countries," September 20, 1991 (hereby canceled)

(d) DoD Instruction 5105.57, "Procedures for the U.S. Defense Representative
(USDR) in Foreign Countries," December 26, 1995 (hereby canceled)

(e) through (r), see Enclosure 1
 1.  PURPOSE This Directive:
1.1.  Provides policy and assigns responsibilities for the operation of DoD elements at U.S.

embassies pursuant to References (a) and (b) and cancels References (c) and (d).


1.1.1.  Creates the position of Senior Defense Official (SDO) as the principal DoD
official in U.S. embassies.


1.1.2.  Outlines the management relationships that shall exist between and among various DoD elements that may be present at an embassy, as well as the responsibilities of each.


1.1.3.  Establishes the SDO as the diplomatically accredited Defense Attache (DATT)
and Chief of the Security Assistance Organization (SAO).

1.2.  Provides direction to the SDO/DATT and establishes the relationship between the SDO/DATT and the heads of other DoD elements at U.S. embassies.

1.3.  Assigns responsibilities to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)), the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USD(I)), and their designated subordinate organizations for oversight of the SDO/DATT.

2.  APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments (including the Coast Guard at all times, including when it is a service in the Department of Homeland Security by agreement with that Department), the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as the
"DoD Components").  The term "Military Services," as used herein, refers to the Active and Reserve Components of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marine Corps. 3.  DEFINITIONS


3.1.  Coordinating Authority.  For the purposes of this Directive, a commander or individual assigned responsibility for coordinating specific functions or activities involving forces of two or more Military Departments, two or more joint force components, or two or more forces of the same service.  The commander or individual has the authority to require consultation between the agencies involved, but does not have the authority to compel agreement.  In the event that essential agreement cannot be obtained, the matter shall be referred to the next senior in the reporting chain.

3.2.  SDO/DATT.  Principal DoD official in a U.S. embassy, as designated by the Secretary of Defense.

3.3.  Other Terms.  Other terms used in this Directive are defined in Joint Publication 1-02
(Reference (e)). 4.  POLICY
It is DoD policy that:
4.1.  In accordance with Reference (a), DoD personnel in a foreign country who are not under the command of a U.S. area military commander shall be under the authority of the Chief of Mission (COM) in that country.

4.2.  Unified DoD representation in U.S. embassies is critical to the accomplishment of national security objectives.

4.3.  The SDO/DATT is the COM's principal military advisor on defense and national security issues, the senior diplomatically accredited DoD military officer assigned to a U.S. diplomatic mission, and the single point of contact for all DoD matters involving the embassy or DoD elements assigned to or working from the embassy.



4.4.  All DoD elements assigned or attached to or operating from U.S. embassies are aligned under the coordinating authority of the SDO/DATT.  Where separate Security Assistance and Defense Attache Offices currently exist, they will remain separate with distinct duties and statutory authorities. 5.  RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1.  The USD(P), pursuant to DoD Directive 5111.1 (Reference (f)), shall:

5.1.1.  Act for the Secretary of Defense on matters for which USD(P) is the principal staff assistant (PSA) involving DoD elements in U.S. embassies, coordinating with USD(I) on all matters of joint interest.



5.1.2.  Act for the Secretary of Defense on all security cooperation and force protection matters.


5.1.3.  In coordination with USD(I), act as the point of contact for the Department of State (DoS) for all matters involving DoD presence in and operations at U.S. embassies, except those involving intelligence or the Defense Attache System (DAS).


5.1.4.  Jointly with USD(I):


5.1.4.1.  Issue implementing guidance within 120 days of publication of this Directive.



5.1.4.2.  Appoint, on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, selected officers to the position of SDO/DATT on the recommendations of the Directors, DSCA and DIA, and with the concurrence of the respective Geographic Combatant Commander (GCC) and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.



5.1.4.3.  Execute functional oversight of SDO/DATT performance as an organizational element of the Department of Defense.



5.1.4.4. Develop procedures for coordination with the DoS and COM on National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 38 (Reference (g)) actions involving the SDO/DATT position.



5.1.4.5.  Provide a Secretary of Defense letter of appointment and instruction to the SDO/DATT and a letter of introduction to the host-nation counterpart introducing the SDO/DATT as the principal diplomatic representative of the Department of Defense.

5.2.  The Director, DSCA, under the authority, direction, and control of the USD(P), pursuant to DoD Directive 5105.65 (Reference (h)), shall:


5.2.1.  Jointly with the Director, DIA, in coordination with the Joint Staff, within 60 days of publication of this Directive, forward to USD(P) and USD(I) a transition plan for phased implementation of the SDO/DATT positions in embassies with Departmental presence, for their review and approval.


5.2.2.  Jointly with the Director, DIA, manage the SDO/DATT nomination, selection, and training process.  Specifically, the Director, DSCA, shall:


5.2.2.1.  Jointly review, with the Director, DIA, all nominations for SDO/DATT
positions.



5.2.2.2.  Jointly with the Director, DIA, forward nominations, with a recommendation for approval/disapproval and with the concurrence of the appropriate GCC and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to USD(P) and USD(I), for final approval.


5.2.3.  Jointly establish appropriate agreements and procedures with the Director, DIA, and with the GCCs to provide guidance to and ensure oversight of SDO/DATTs in discharging security cooperation programs in accordance with applicable law, regulations, and directives.
Agreements and procedures shall include methods for ensuring qualified officers are appointed as SDO/DATTs  and that they receive appropriate security cooperation training according to DoD Directive 5132.3 (Reference (i)); DoD Directive 2055.3 (Reference (j)); and section 2151, title 22, United States Code (Reference (k)).


5.2.4.  Jointly with the Director, DIA, provide all necessary training to officers selected as the SDO/DATT to function as the principal DoD representative on the country team responsible for providing coordinated views on all DoD matters.  At a minimum, this training shall include attache, security cooperation and personal security training; combatant command (COCOM) orientations; situational awareness pertinent to the Global War on Terrorism; consultations and briefings with key OSD and interagency offices prior to reporting to station; and such other training, to include language refresher training, as may be deemed necessary by the USD(P); USD(I); the GCC; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and the Directors, DSCA and DIA.

5.3.  The USD(I), pursuant to DoD Directive 5143.01 (Reference (l)), shall:

5.3.1.  Act for the Secretary of Defense on matters for which USD(I) is the PSA
involving DoD elements in U.S. embassies, coordinating with USD(P) on all matters of joint interest.


5.3.2.  Act for the Secretary of Defense on all intelligence matters and all matters affecting the DAS in accordance with DoD Directive C-5105.32 (Reference (m)).


5.3.3.  In coordination with USD(P), act as the point of contact for the Director of National Intelligence, the Intelligence Community, and DoS for intelligence or DAS-related matters involving DoD presence in and operations at U.S. embassies.



5.3.4.  Jointly with USD(P):


5.3.4.1.  Issue implementing guidance within 120 days of publication of this Directive.



5.3.4.2.  Appoint, on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, selected officers to the position of SDO/DATT on the recommendations of the Directors, DSCA and DIA, and with the concurrence of the respective GCC and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.



5.3.4.3.  Execute functional oversight of SDO/DATT performance as an organizational element of the Department of Defense.



5.3.4.4.  Develop procedures for coordination with the DoS and COM on Reference
(g) actions involving the SDO/DATT position.



5.3.4.5.  Provide a Secretary of Defense letter of appointment and instruction to the SDO/DATT and a letter of introduction to the host-nation counterpart introducing the SDO/DATT as the principal diplomatic representative of the Department of Defense.

5.4.  The Director, DIA, under the authority, direction, and control of the USD(I), pursuant to DoD Directive 5105.21 (Reference (n)), shall:

5.4.1.  Jointly with the Director, DSCA, in coordination with the Joint Staff, within 60
days of publication of this Directive, forward to USD(P) and USD(I) a transition plan for phased implementation of the SDO/DATT positions in embassies with Departmental presence, for their review and approval.


5.4.2.  Jointly with the Director, DSCA, manage the SDO/DATT nomination, selection, and training process.  Specifically, the Director, DIA, shall:


5.4.2.1.  Receive nominations of personnel for service as the SDO/DATT from the Secretaries of the Military Departments, immediately providing a copy to the Director, DSCA, to support DSCA's full participation in the review process.



5.4.2.2.  Jointly review, with the Director, DSCA, all nominations for SDO/DATT
positions.



5.4.2.3.  Jointly with the Director, DSCA, forward nominations, with a recommendation for approval/disapproval and with the concurrence of the appropriate GCC and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to USD(P) and USD(I), for final approval.


5.4.3.  Serve as Rater (Army and Air Force) or Reporting Senior (Navy and Marine Corps), as appropriate, for SDO/DATT military evaluations as provided for by the Secretaries of the Military Departments.  Process military performance evaluations for SDO/DATTs, taking into account required input and/or coordination requirements as specified by the Military Service, in such time as to reach the Service personnel office in a timely manner.  Coast Guard officers detailed to the Department of Defense and assigned as SDO/DATT shall be rated in accordance with applicable Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs).


5.4.4.  Jointly with the Director, DSCA, establish procedures, in coordination with the Military Departments and the GCCs, for the SDO/DATT to execute military-diplomatic representational responsibilities on behalf of all the DoD Components.  This includes issuing proper credentials and necessary clearances to the SDO/DATT.


5.4.5.  Jointly establish appropriate agreements and procedures with the Director, DSCA, and with the GCCs to provide guidance to and ensure oversight of SDO/DATTs in discharging security assistance programs in accordance with applicable law, regulations, and directives. Agreements and procedures shall include standards for appointing mutually acceptable officers as SDO/DATTs and methods for providing appropriate security cooperation training.



5.4.6.  Jointly with the Director, DSCA, provide all necessary training to officers selected as the SDO/DATT to function as the DoD senior representative on the country team responsible for providing coordinated views on all DoD matters.  At a minimum, this training shall include attache, security cooperation and personal security training; COCOM orientation; situational awareness pertinent to the Global War on Terrorism; consultations and briefings with each of the Military Departments, key OSD and interagency offices prior to reporting to station, plus such other training, to include language refresher training, as may be deemed necessary by the USD(P); USD(I); the GCC; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the Director, DSCA; or the Director, DIA.

5.5.  The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)), pursuant to DoD Directive 1315.17 (Reference (o)) and DoD Instruction 5160.70 (Reference (p)), shall:

5.5.1.  Conduct an annual review of this program and its associated policies and plans to ensure foreign language and regional proficiency needs are adequately addressed.


5.5.2.  Coordinate Foreign Area Officer (FAO) utilization policies.



5.5.3.  Develop measures of effectiveness to evaluate progress in achieving the goal of increased language and regional proficiency capabilities throughout the Department of Defense as called for in Reference (p), paragraph 5.1.2.



5.6.  The Secretaries of the Military Departments shall:

5.6.1.  Direct nominations of military personnel for assignment as SDO/DATT in response to personnel requisitions reflecting the authorizations of the DAS Joint Manpower Plan
(JMP) or of the SAO Chief billets found on the Combatant Command JMPs.


5.6.2.  Provide a military personnel performance rating scheme that enables both the GCC and the Director, DIA, to rate the SDO/DATT.


5.7.  The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall:

5.7.1.  Monitor SDO/DATT activities for responsiveness to the requirements of the Commanders of the Combatant Commands, the Secretaries of the Military Departments, the Joint Staff, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.


5.7.2.  Provide credentials to the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff's host-nation counterpart introducing the SDO/DATT as the principal diplomatic representative of the Department of Defense.

5.8.  The GCC(s) shall:

5.8.1.  Review and concur with nominations for the position of SDO/DATT.



5.8.2.  Serve as Senior Rater (Army), Concurrent Reporting Senior (Navy), Reviewing Officer (Marine Corps), or Additional Rater (Air Force), as appropriate, on SDO/DATT military evaluations as provided for by the Secretaries of the Military Departments.  Coast Guard officers detailed to the Department of Defense and assigned as SDO/DATT shall be rated in accordance with applicable MOAs.


5.8.3.  Provide orientation briefings for newly assigned SDO/DATTs on items of GCC
interest that include but are not limited to operational policy, intelligence interest, host-nation political-military issues, security cooperation programs, and representational responsibilities.


5.8.4.  For countries/territories where there is not an accredited U.S. Attache or Security Assistance Officer, designate a senior military official in coordination with the USD(I) and with concurrence of the USD(P).  This individual shall advise the Ambassador and/or other U.S. Government officials on military, administrative, and force protection matters affecting U.S.

military units, Service members and their families, and other matters as defined in relevant MOAs between the COM and the respective GCC.  This designated individual need not have diplomatic status, may reside outside the country/territory, and may be responsible for multiple countries.

5.9.  The SDO/DATT in each embassy shall:



5.9.1.  Serve as Defense Attache and Chief of  Security Assistance under the joint
oversight and administrative management of the USD(P) and USD(I) through the Directors, DSCA and DIA, in coordination with the GCC.

5.9.2.  Act as the in-country focal point for planning, coordinating, supporting, and/or
executing U.S. defense issues and activities in the host nation, including Theater Security Cooperation programs under the oversight of the GCC.

5.9.3.  Serve as the principal embassy liaison with host-nation defense establishments and
actively participate in national security and operational policy development and coordination.


5.9.4.  Represent the Secretary of Defense and the DoD Components to host-nation counterparts and foreign diplomats accredited to the host nation, and act as the principal incountry DoD diplomatic representative of the Secretary of Defense and the DoD Components.


5.9.5.  Present coordinated DoD views on all defense matters to the COM and act as the single DoD point of contact to the COM to assist in carrying out the COM's responsibilities under Reference (a).


5.9.6.  Represent the Secretary of Defense and the appropriate Commanders of the Combatant Commands for coordination of administrative and security matters for all DoD
personnel not under the command of a U.S. area military commander.



5.9.7.  Carry out the duties and instructions as set forth in Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction C-3310.01C (Reference (q)).


5.9.8.  Exercise Coordinating Authority over DoD elements under the direction and supervision of the COM.  This shall not preempt the authority exercised over these elements by the COM, the mission authority exercised by the parent DoD components, or the command authority exercised by the GCC under the Unified Command Plan (Reference (r)).  Additionally, this authority does not include authority to impose punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.


5.9.9.  As required, provide information to U.S. Government officials on the general scope of in-country activities for all DoD component command elements assigned to the mission. This includes the missions, locations, organization, and unique security requirements. 6.  RELEASABILITY.  UNLIMITED.  This Instruction is approved for public release.  Copies may be obtained through the Internet from the DoD Directives Program Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives.


7.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Directive is effective immediately.


## Enclosure - 1 E1.  References, Continued



## E1.  Enclosure 1 References, Continued


(e) Joint Publication 1-02, "Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated
Terms," as amended
(f)
DoD Directive 5111.1, "Under Secretary of Defense for Policy," December 8, 1999
(g) National Security Decision Directive 38, "Staffing at Diplomatic Missions and Their
Overseas Constituent Posts," June 2, 1982
(h) DoD Directive 5105.65, "Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA),"
October 31, 2000
(i)
DoD Directive 5132.3, "DoD Policy and Responsibilities Relating to Security Assistance,"
March 10, 1981
(j)
DoD Directive 2055.3, "Manning of Security Assistance Organizations and the Selection
and USD(P) Training of Security Assistance Personnel," March 11, 1985
(k)
Section 2151, title 22, United States Code (Public Law 87-195, "Foreign Assistance Act of
1961," as amended, September 4, 1961)
(l)
DoD Directive 5143.01, "Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence," November 23, 2005
(m) DoD Directive C-5105.32, "Defense Attache System," March 23, 1973 (n) DoD Directive 5105.21, "Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)," February 18, 1997 (o) DoD Directive 1315.17, "Military Department Foreign Area Officer Programs," April 28,
2005
(p) DoD Instruction 5160.70, "Management of DoD Language and Regional Proficiency
Capabilities,"  June 12, 2007
(q) CJCS Instruction C-3310.01C, "Representational Responsibilities of the Defense Attache
System," February 21, 2006
(r)
"Unified Command Plan," March 1, 20051