SCO Spouse Course
DSCU’s DSI offers a Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) Spouse Course. DSI offers the optional course with both virtual and in-person learning blocks for spouses of SCO personnel assigned to security cooperation positions in U.S. embassies. On accompanied tours, spouses can support fast-paced and demanding SCO assignments and contribute to mission success. Spouses will sometimes perform voluntary and direct services to support the SCO or other embassy offices – in a unique overseas environment, without typical support systems present. SCO spouse training is valuable for SCO mission success and family safety (SCO assignments have risks for which some may not be prepared prior to receiving this training). Upon completion of this course, students will have a broad foundation designed to equip and integrate their family members into the embassy and foreign community to which they have been assigned. Upon completion of this course, the SCO spouse is ready to arrive on post, with established network of relevant relationships and resources to reach back for additional information during their time accompanying the SCO on post.
Objectives
This course equips the student to understand the various roles, responsibilities, and opportunities for a SCO spouse. The student will be able to explain SCO functions and identify the relationships maintained by the SCO; understand the organization and function of U.S. embassies and various agencies within the embassy; identify cultural differences and ways to adapt; discuss and understand how living and moving overseas is different than typical OCONUS/CONUS assignments; understand post security resources and recognize specific personal safety and security measures to use throughout a SCO assignment; demonstrate accepted etiquette and protocol in an international setting; identify ways to reduce social media “footprint” and recognize counterintelligence concerns; explain how to prepare for crisis management at an embassy; explain U.S. Government and DOD Standards of conduct and ethical issues that SCO personnel encounter; identify stages of cultural adjustment and resiliency strategies; and apply course information to navigate historical SCO case studies.
Target Attendees
Spouses of DOD members assigned to a SCO are eligible to attend this class. The spouse should be included on the DOD member’s orders for the SCO assignment. DSCU will fund the in-resident portion for SCO spouses who attend any time prior to the initial arrival date to the SCO personnel’s country-of-assignment. Spouses are encouraged, but not required, to attend the in-resident course at the same time as their sponsor. SCO spouses may take the online course at any point in time and are encouraged to take the course as soon as possible after their spouse receives SCO assignment orders. SCO Spouse Course student registrations are accepted up until 7 calendar days before the SCO Spouse Course start date. After that date, students will be accepted on a case-by-case basis or will be added to a later course iteration.
Prerequisites
- Virtual Course: None
- In Resident Course: 3-week Virtual SCO Spouse Course
- Substitute Courses: None