§351 Inter-american Defense College

Summary

The Secretary of Defense may allow members of the armed forces and DoD civilian staff to help run and support the Inter-American Defense College and to use DoD facilities and equipment as needed. This support is meant to help the college teach advanced courses to military officers and civilian officials from Organization of American States member countries on defense, the inter‑American system, and related topics, and to make sure the college’s program matches the quality of DoD senior service colleges and promotes security cooperation, human rights, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, peacekeeping, and democracy in the Western Hemisphere. With the Secretary of State’s agreement, the Secretary of Defense must sign a memorandum of understanding with the Inter‑American Defense Board for DoD participation and host‑nation support. That MOU must say how costs are shared if DoD facilities, equipment, or funds are used, and must include the curriculum and a plan for the academic program. DoD operation and maintenance funds may pay necessary costs (such as participant expenses; hiring teachers; curriculum and outreach support; translation; IT and educational tech; utilities; and facility upkeep), but may not pay the salaries of participating military members or DoD civilians. Funds for one fiscal year may fund activities that start that year and finish the next. The Secretary may waive cost reimbursement for developing countries (as defined in section 301 of this title) if doing so serves U.S. national security. “Logistic support, supplies, and services” is defined in section 2350 of this title.