Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-110

§4866 Security Training for Personnel Assigned to a High Risk, High Threat Post

Title 22 › CHAPTER 58 — DIPLOMATIC SECURITY › SUBCHAPTER IV — DIPLOMATIC SECURITY PROGRAM › § 4866

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

People who are sent permanently or for long temporary tours to a high risk, high threat post must get required security training to help them live and work safely at those posts. The training builds basic safety skills and can cover things like spotting and handling possible terrorist attacks (including complex attacks), detecting surveillance, giving emergency first aid, finding improvised explosive devices, basic firearms familiarization, and defensive driving. The rule took effect on December 16, 2016. Complex attack: an attack by multiple hostile elements using at least two different types of weapons (NATO definition). High risk, high threat post: defined in section 4803.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §4866

Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

Individuals assigned permanently to or who are in long-term temporary duty status as designated by the Secretary of State at a high risk, high threat post shall receive security training described in subsection (b) on a mandatory basis in order to prepare such individuals for living and working at such posts.

(b)Security training described

Security training referred to in subsection (a)—

(1)is training to improve basic knowledge and skills; and

(2)may include—

(A)an ability to recognize, avoid, and respond to potential terrorist situations, including a complex attack;

(B)conducting surveillance detection;

(C)providing emergency medical care;

(D)ability to detect the presence of improvised explosive devices;

(E)minimal firearms familiarization; and

(F)defensive driving maneuvers.

(c)Effective date

The requirements of this section shall take effect upon December 16, 2016.

(d)Definitions

In this section and section 4867 of this title:

(1)Complex attack

The term “complex attack” has the meaning given such term by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as follows: “An attack conducted by multiple hostile elements which employ at least two distinct classes of weapon systems (i.e., indirect fire and direct fire, improvised explosive devices, and surface to air fire).”.

(2)High risk, high threat post

The term “high risk, high threat post” has the meaning given such term in section 4803 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 4866

Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110