Welcome to the Defense SCO Institute (DSI)
About Us
The Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) established the foundations of the Defense SCO Institute (DSI) in Fiscal Year 2024. Initial operating capability of DSI, in October 2024, will prompt the movement of Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) training from Dayton, Ohio, (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base) to DSCU’s headquarters in the National Capital Region (NCR).
10 U.S.C. Section 384 and the FY2024 NDAA Section 1204 prescribe DSCU to ensure that those who represent the DOD to partner nations are a professionalized force with the training and support necessary to advance national security objectives. Recognizing the strategic importance and impact of SCO operations, DSCU has dedicated considerable effort to the creation of DSI, including moving the training to the NCR and evolving DSI curriculum, tools, and resources to help ensure alignment with critical mission needs. DSI provides the next generation of SCO personnel with the education, training, and support they deserve to succeed in challenging and dynamic assignments.
DSCU’s newly established DSI serves as the DOD SCO schoolhouse. SCO personnel are the primary representatives for Security Cooperation in their aligned country. DSI offers tailored education and training to SCO personnel, their families and locally employed staff. DSI intends to strengthen preparation of SCO personnel for their unique scope of responsibilities by offering new educational opportunities targeted toward preparation for activities such as strategic planning, cross functional collaboration, and improving agility needed to keep up with the pace of the evolving field of Security Cooperation.
The DSI faculty and staff are building and maintaining curriculum supporting Security Cooperation stakeholder requirements and developing other courses and learning activities tailored to SCO spouses and locally employed staff. For additional information on or to register for SCO workforce courses, visit dscu.edu/course-catalog. For information pertaining to the SCO Spouse course please click here.
How will DSI fundamentally change the way we prepare SCOs for the field?
- Front load combatant command priorities to focus students on training necessary for mission success
- A tailored educational experience that accounts for SCO's unique backgrounds and posts
- Leverage the NCR location to build networks of support and interagency collaboration
- Shift focus from one-size-fits-all training to targeted, pre-mission planning
- Mechanisms for SCOs to reach back from their posts for additional support
- Provide capability development training that focuses on enhancing partner's institutional functions