Combating Terrorism: Improved Training and Guidance Needed to More Effectively Address Host Nation Support and Enhance DOD's Force Protection Efforts

Starting with the June 2007 Level IV Executive Training Seminar, the Joint Staff doubled the emphasis on host nation support. Two speakers focused on the importance of host nation communications, and a host nation vignette was added to the end of session table top exercise. Host nation support now totals approximately 25% of the Level IV training. The Services are actively working to include host nation training into their Level II training courses. Examples of Level III training initiatives include: (1) The Army now routinely includes instruction on host nation support in all garrison command Level II training courses, and they are working to bring host nation training into all command Level III training; (2) the United States Army Europe Commander has instituted an additional pre-command course that includes specific host nation support training; and (3) the Navy now broadly covers host nation support and interaction as part of pre-command courses where Level III anti-terrorism training occurs. (Source: ASD (HD/ASA) letter dated March 31, 2010).

In commenting on the draft report, DOD stated, "the department concurs with the recommendation in the draft report and to the extent possible the GAO recommendations should be implemented in the Combatant Commands." According to DOD, "the Geographic Combatant Commands have implemented measures to improve the training for personnel involved in the classification and declassification of threat information. Improvement examples include: CENTCOM now provides Foreign Disclosure training to all newly assigned personnel during the Staff Officer's Indoctrination Course and they provide foreign disclosure updates through a quarterly All Source Analysis Course. EUCOM has created a Classification Guide that provides a reference for classification guidance. NORTHCOM has all staff complete security training that includes classification and declassification of information. The training includes annual refresher training. The PACOM has established a Command Foreign Disclosure Office. Briefings on foreign disclosure are provided to incoming personnel and the command sponsors a DIA Foreign Exchange and Disclosure Mobile Training Team. SOUTHCOM has the Foreign Disclosure Office brief all new personnel on a monthly basis. In addition, Staff Assistance Visits are conducted with all Components and Joint Task Forces to continue to train personnel in the proper and timely release of information to host nation officials." (Source: DOD/OIG August 4, 2010)

In commenting on a draft of the report, DOD acknowledged that information sharing challenges do exist with host nations. As a result, the department stated that there are a number of existing DOD, counterintelligence, intelligence, and associated programs which help address information sharing with host nations that could be better leveraged in the future. For example, the Army, in tandem with the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Security Policy, at the request of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), developed a course specifically designed to address the FD problems mentions in the GAO report. Army Military Transition Teams have taken the course to field locations requested by USSOCOM.

DOD concurred with this recommendation. Starting in 2006, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency began observing for host nation support issues. In addition, the Joint Staff-managed Core Vulnerability Assessment Management Program database showed an input of over 40 host nation observations as of January 1, 2008. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency will continue to observe host nation support issues during assessments. (Source: ASD (HD/ASA) letter dated March 31, 2010).