§343 Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation

Summary

The Secretary of Defense may run a school called the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation to teach and train people from countries in the Western Hemisphere. The Secretary can pick a military department head to manage the school. The school’s goal is to teach professional skills while promoting democratic values, respect for human rights, and understanding of U.S. customs. Military, law enforcement, and civilian personnel from Western Hemisphere countries may attend, and the Secretary of State must be consulted on who is chosen. Every student must get at least 8 hours of required lessons on human rights, the rule of law, due process, civilian control of the military, and the role of the military in a democracy. The school can also teach leadership, counterdrug work, peace support, disaster relief, and other topics the Secretary approves. There is a Board of Visitors that includes members or designees from the House and Senate Armed Services committees, six people chosen by the Secretary of Defense (including academics and human-rights or religious representatives when possible), one State Department designee, a senior military training officer or designee, and commanders (or designees) for the Western Hemisphere. The Board must meet at least once a year, review the school’s programs and compliance with U.S. law and policy, and send a written report to the Secretary of Defense within 60 days after its annual meeting. Federal advisory board rules apply (except one termination rule). Board members are not paid but may get travel pay and the Board may use unpaid advisers. The Secretary may accept foreign gifts to help the school. Gifts become part of Department of Defense funds and must be reported to Congress if they total more than $1,000,000 in a fiscal year, naming each donor and amount. Fixed operating costs may be paid from Defense operation funds, but tuition may not include those fixed costs. By March 15 each year, the Secretary of Defense must send Congress a detailed report on the school, including the Board’s latest report and comments, prepared with the Secretary of State.