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Performance Management and Budgeting Course

The DRMI welcomed five participants from the United States to the resident Performance Management and Budgeting Course on 20 February 2022. Additionally, two participants from the U.S. took the course virtually via distance learning. The two-week course graduated on 4 March 2022.

Introduction to Budgeting Concepts Course

The DRMI welcomed five participants from the U.S. and four partner nations (Indonesia, Malaysia, Slovenia, and Uruguay) to the resident two-week Introduction to Budgeting Concepts Course on 6 February 2022. Additionally, five participants from the U.S. took the course virtually via distance learning. The course graduated on 18 February 2022.

Human Capital Resources Management Course

The DRMI welcomed 17 participants representing the United States and eight partner nations (Croatia, Indonesia, Italy, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Oman, Philippines, and Slovenia) to the resident Human Capital Resources Management course on 23 January 2022. Additionally, seven participants from the United States took the course virtually via distance learning. The two-week course graduated on 4 February 2022.

Data Analytics for Financial and Resources Management Course

The DRMI welcomed 11 participants representing the United States and two partner nations (Oman and Saudi Arabia) to the resident Data Analytics for Financial and Resources Management course on 6 December 2021. Additionally, 20 participants from the United States took the course virtually via distance learning. The two-week course graduated on 18 December 2021.

Risk Management Course

The DRMI welcomed 21 participants representing the United States and nine partner nations (Argentina, Ghana, Jordan, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, and Uruguay) to the resident Risk Management course on 8 November 2021. Additionally, 11 participants representing the United States and one partner nation (Uruguay) took the course virtually via distance learning. The two-week course graduated on 19 November 2021.

Multiple Criteria Decision Making Course

The DRMI welcomed 16 participants representing the United States and nine partner nations (Argentina, Chile, Ghana, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, North Macedonia, Pakistan, and South Africa) to the two-week resident Multiple Criteria Decision Making course on 24 October 2021. Additionally, seven participants representing three partner nations (Ecuador, Latvia, and Uruguay) and the United States took the course virtually via distance learning. The course graduated on 4 November 2021.

International Defense Management Course (IDMC 22-1) 

The DRMI welcomed 32 participants representing 25 partner nations (Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belize, Benin, Egypt, Eswatini, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Lesotho, Lithuania, Namibia, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia,  Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Ukraine, and Uruguay) to the IDMC 22-1 on 12 October 2021. This 10-week course graduated on 16 December 2021.

 

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Defense Resources Management Course (DRMC 21-4)

The fourth convening of the DRMC in 2021 began on 29 August with 29 participants from 13 partner nations (Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Jordan, Madagascar, Namibia, Norway, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, and Zambia) and the United States. In addition, nine participants representing one partner nation (Colombia) and the United States took the course virtually via distance learning. The four-week course graduated on 24 September 2021.

52nd Senior International Defense Management Course (SIDMC 21)

The 52nd annual Senior International Defense Management Course began on 2 August 2021 with 38 flag and general rank military officers and senior defense officials from 24 partner nations (Albania, Bangladesh, Benin, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Eswatini, Germany, Ghana, Jordan, Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Moldova, Niger, North Macedonia, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, and Ukraine) and the United States. This four-week course graduated on 27 August 2021.

Defense Resources Management Course (DRMC 21-3)

The third convening of the DRMC in 2021 began on 13 June with 18 participants from five partner nations (Jordan, Liberia, Malaysia, Oman, and Ukraine) and the United States. In addition, six participants from the United States took the course virtually via distance learning. This four-week course graduated on 9 July 2021.

Defense Resources Management Course (DRMC 21-2)

The second convening of the DRMC in 2021 began on 17 May with 16 participants from six partner nations (Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, and the Philippines) and the United States. This four-week course graduated on 11 June 2021.

Defense Resources Management Course (DRMC 21-1)

The first convening of the four-week DRMC in 2021 began on 19 April with 11 participants from six partner nations (Djibouti, Germany, Hungary, Pakistan, Senegal, and Trinidad-Tobago) and the United States. In addition, eight participants representing two partner nations (Germany and Poland) and the United States took the course virtually via distance learning. The course participants graduated on 14 May 2021. 

International Defense Management Course (IDMC 21-2)

The ten-week IDMC 21-2 convened on 8 February 2021 with 18 participants representing 10 partner nations: Albania, Bangladesh, Benin, Bulgaria, Korea, Moldova, Morocco, Senegal, Togo, and Tunisia. The course concluded on 15 April 2021 with a socially-distanced outdoor graduation.

 

DRMI Pivots to New "Blended Learning" Environment

The DRMI resumed resident course instruction in August 2020 under a new “blended learning” environment, combining video conferencing and in-person classroom interaction in strict compliance with health and safety requirements.

 

DRMI Pivots to New "Blended Learning" Environment:

The DRMI resumed resident course instruction with its 51st annual Senior International Defense Management (SIDMC) course in August 2020. This four-week course marked the introduction of a new “blended learning” environment, combining video conferencing and in-person classroom interaction with strict adherence to health and safety requirements. Fifteen flag and general rank officers and senior civilian defense officials from the U.S. and six partner nations (Bangladesh, Lebanon, Moldova, North Macedonia, Poland, and South Korea) participated in the course. 

All Courses Now Offered Both in Residence and Online: 

Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, the DRMI is now offering all courses both in residence and via distance learning (online). We have updated our resident course schedule through 2021.

For International Military Education and Training (IMET) program funded courses: all DRMI courses are now at least four weeks in duration or are scheduled in tracks that can be combined for a duration of at least four weeks. This is in accordance with the latest IMET guidance in response to COVID-19.

Defense Resources Management Course (DRMC) Completion Deadline Extended:

The DRMI has extended the course completion deadline for U.S. participants taking the DRMC in two two-week modules. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. participants who have already completed the first half of the course are now given an additional year to complete the second half of the course. The course completion deadline is now within three years from completion of the first half of the course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Older News**

 

DRMI Opens All Resident Courses to GS-09 and above

US Officers (Active or Reserve) and International Military Officers, of Grades O-4 through O-6; Civilian Officials of Grades GS-09 through GS-15 or Equivalent are now eligible to attend all of DRMI's resident courses. These courses are suitable for professionals concerned with the economic, efficient and effective allocation and use of scarce defense resources in today's complex and uncertain security environment. Participants normally come from a broad spectrum of fields, to include logistics, operations, personnel, acquisition, financial management, program management, planning, engineering, and program evaluation. The courses include:

Defense Resources Management Course, Multiple Criteria Decision Making Course, Budget Preparation and Accountability Course, Risk Management Course, Streamlining Government Course and Performance Management and Budgeting Course. Detailed information about each of these course is available by clicking HERE.

 

DRMI Graduates Panama Course

Associate Professor Diana Angelis, Assistant Professor Jason Hansen, and Lecturer Luis Morales conducted the first ever mobile course to Panama from 9-13 September, 2013. The Budget Preparation, Execution and Accountability course was presented to 24 participants representing the National Police, Border, and Aeronautical Services of the Ministry of Public Security. As the title implies, the course focused on the formulation and execution of defense budgets. Concepts discussed included linking defense strategies to budgets; translating programmatic decisions to detailed cost estimates; justifying and defending budget submissions; dealing with budget uncertainty; and executing and reconciling approved budgets. The response was so overwhelmingly positive that several senior-level course participants met with personnel from the U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation to coordinate several more DRMI courses over a two-year period.

Defense Resources Management Institute Partners with Western Hemispheric Institute for Security Cooperation

DRMI and WHINSEC Sign MOU - Collaboration and partnership are the primary focus the Global Center Consortium members, including the Defense Resources Management Institute and the Western Hemispheric Institute for Security Cooperation. The two organizations solidified their partnership to jointly execute the Resource Management and Logistics course. On 30 July, DRMI and WHINSEC formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding to outline their partnership and responsibilities to support future Defense Resource Management and Logistics (DRML) resident courses.

 

Human Capital Resources Management Course in Jordan

Associate Professors Jomana Amara and Laura Armey, and Senior Lecturer Steve Hurst conduct the Human Capital Resources Management (HCRM) course in Amman, Jordan 23 June to 4 July. Human capital resources are a top priority in Jordan as the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) reform human resources management. DRMI faculty introduced strategic planning and economic concepts that establish the framework within which human capital resource allocation decisions are made and total force management concepts, including integration of active and reserve forces, civilians, and contractors. Faculty also focused on managing the force and covered topics ranging from screening and selection to separation and retirement of military personnel. Course participants (18) worked on a team that developed and presented a group project on a human resources related challenge within the JAF.

 

DRMI Launches its Flagship Course

Thirty-five flag-rank officers and civilian equivalents from 24 nations are participating in the 44th annual Senior International Defense Management Course (SIDMC), which began on 24 June. Rear Admiral Janet Tighe, Interim President, welcomed the participants, provided them an overview of the Naval Postgraduate School, and addressed some of the challenges it is facing in light of the inspector general investigation and report. Participants also had the opportunity throughout the week to interact with several distinguished guest speakers who addressed many contemporary defense issues including: the global security environment and strategic planning, climate change, cyber conflict and security, defense security cooperation, and global economic resilience. Some participants also attended guest speaker lunches and faculty forum discussions offered by DRMI and NPS faculty to further explore issues of interest. The first week culminated with participants engaging in a military resources allocation exercise called TEMPO.

 

DRMI Faculty Members Conduct Course in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Professor Robert McNab, Associate Professor Jomana Amara, Assistant Professor Jay Simon, Senior Lecturer Stephen Hurst and Lecturer Luis Morales delivered a two-week Mobile International Defense Management Course at the Malaysian Armed Forces Defense College from 26 May-9 June 2013. The class had a good mix of participants, including 40 officers undergoing a year-long Masters of Social Science in Defense Studies program (35 officers from the Royal Malaysian Army, Navy and Air Force; one civilian from the Malaysian MOD, and four foreign exchange officers), plus 12 additional Malaysian officers from different organizations invited to participate in the two-week DRMI course. The DRMI faculty presented a series of stimulating lectures, case studies and problems that provided participants the analytical basis for cost-effectiveness analysis, focusing on aspects of national security and decision making processes for defense resources management and allocation. On 4 June DRMI faculty members accompanied the participants on a visit and tour of the USS Blue Ridge at the Port Klang Cruise Center.

 

Human Capital Resource Management Workshop in Ukraine

Between 23-26 April, Senior Lecturer Steve Hurst and Associate Professor Jonathan Lipow conducted a Human Capital Resource Management workshop in Kiev. Ukraine with civilian and military leaders from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Topics covered included force downsizing, manpower recruitment and selection, and the challenges inherent in transitioning from a force based on conscription to one based on volunteers. DRMI also welcomed a new cohort of students to the Defense Resources Management Course, class number 13-2. Currently, Associate Professor Jomana Amara, Senior Lecturer Luis Morales, and Senior Lecturer Mark Hladky are conducting a Human Capital Resource Management workshop in Jordan.

 

DRMI Palestinian Authority Course Graduates

Associate Professor Jomana Amara, Associate Professor Jonathan Lipow, Senior Lecturer Steve Hurst and Lecturer Mark Hladky conducted the first ever Mobile International Defense Management Course in West Bank 17-29 March 2013. The first day of the course was an orientation for 23 senior Palestinian officials to familiarize them with DRMI’s resources management course concepts and obtain their feedback on areas to emphasize to junior officers during the rest of the course. Concepts discussed included basic resources management and human capital management, quantitative reasoning, plans and budgets. After open discussions with the senior officials on preferred concepts and areas of emphasis, the DRMI team spent the other eight days of the course presenting these concepts to 41 junior officers. The Palestinians are expected to participate in the Human Capital Resources Management course to be conducted in Jordan 28 April – 9 May 2013.

 

DRMI Faculty to Participate in OUSD(C) Web-Based Training Development

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) Human Capital and Resources Management, has asked the Defense Resources Management Institute (DRMI) to assist in the development of web-based training for financial management (FM) certification levels 2 and 3. This effort is part of the DOD FM certification program which is intended to provide, per Undersecretary Robert Hale, "a DOD-wide framework to guide professional development [for FM professionals] and to adapt to future requirements." Associate Professor Eva Regnier and Lecturer Luis Morales participated in a teleconference on 4 March with OUSD(C) representatives to identify the type and scope of content DRMI might be able to contribute to this effort, which highlights the importance web-based training is to the future of education in DOD. Mr. Morales represented DRMI as part of a working group of DOD schools assembled by OUSD(C) in 2011 to develop DOD FM workforce competencies and proficiency levels, and then aligned courses offered by their respective organizations to the approved list of FM competencies and proficiency levels.

 

DRMI Organizes NATO Building Integrity Conference Held in Monterey

Over 20 Defense Resources Management Institute (DRMI) faculty and staff members supported the NATO Building Integrity conference doing everything from producing the conference proceedings and follow-on compendium to speaking, organizing sessions, and managing the registration and check-out process. The NATO conference, sponsored by the U.S. Office of Secretary of Defense-Policy, was held in Monterey from 25-28 Feb. The nearly 200 participants from 35 countries identified ways to mitigate the risks that arise when weak defense institutions in challenging economic environments threaten to undermine individual and collective security efforts. The strength of defense institutions depends on transparent defense budgets that can be presented to elected officials, and accountability to citizens that demand the most efficient and effective use of defense resources. This is a theme that DRMI incorporates in all its courses.

 

Ms. Scheiner, OUSD (C), Makes VTC Presentation to DRMC 13-1

Ms. Glenda Scheiner (SES), Director, Human Capital and Resource Management, OUSD (Comptroller), gave a relevant and timely presentation via VTC to Defense Resources Management Course participants and DRMI faculty members on 31 Jan 2013. The first half of her presentation focused on an overview of the 2013 budgetary challenges and the ongoing efforts the DoD is taking to reduce budgetary risk, plus DoD's progress to date in achieving auditable financial statements. The second half of her presentation emphasized the new DoD financial management certification program, scheduled to begin initial implementation in March 2013 and full implementation in March 2014. The goal of the certification program is "to implement standardized financial management competencies that describe knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform and achieve desired results." Ms. Scheiner's presentation was very well received by the participants, who asked numerous questions throughout.

 

DRMI Faculty Conduct Workshop in Kyrgyzstan

Associate Professor Jonathan Lipow and Senior Lecturer Al Polley conducted a workshop on strategic budgeting from 22 to 25 January 2013 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz participants came from their Ministry of Defense (7), Interior Forces (7), and Border Service (4). Six of the participants had attended one or more of DRMI's previous workshops. Discussions focused on how tradeoffs are made among alternatives to achieve a specific goal (for instance, tactical communications) as well as among competing goals (for instance, between military medical and peacekeeping capabilities). This was DRMI's ninth event in Kyrgyzstan, demonstrating commitment on the part of both the U.S. and the Kyrgyz governments to an enduring relationship that will enhance our mutual security.

 

DRMI Launches First Course of 2013

DRMI faculty began the first of five Defense Resources Management Courses (DRMCs) on 7 January. The course focuses on analytical decision making, linking strategic plans to budgets, and assessment of future implications of present-day resources management decisions. DRMC 13-1 consists of 16 participants from six countries (Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and US). The invited guest speaker for this class is Ms. Glenda Scheiner, Director of Human Capital and Resource Management, OUSD (C). Ms. Scheiner will discuss the current status of the Defense Financial Management Certification Program, a Congressionally mandated initiative, which is scheduled for phased implementation in March 2013.

 

DRMI Prepares for Courses in 2013

DRMI staff and faculty are spending the holiday season preparing for another exciting year of residence and mobile courses. In addition to taking a well-deserved break, and spending time with family and friends, DRMI faculty are conducting curriculum reviews, and finalizing the review and publication of numerous papers for professional journals. However, classwork has not completely stopped during this period. Three of our international participants have spent this time between classes in an independent study session, working on military logistics. DRMI will welcome a new group of American and international participants between 5-7 January, with the DRMC 13-1 commencing on Sunday, 6 January.

 

DRMI Graduates Final Resident Course of 2012

On 7 December DRMI graduated its second international course of 2012, International Defense Resources Management Course (IDMC) 12-2. The eleven-week course included participants from 15 countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ethiopia, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Ukraine. Throughout the course participants studied managing scarce defense resources using defense planning to resourcing systems. They examined tools and methods that provide the analytical basis for cost effectiveness analysis and discussion of defense management in the international economy. In the final week of the course participants had the opportunity to apply many of the key concepts and ideas presented in a multi-part capstone exercise. In addition to challenging academics, the 26 participants also enjoyed several social activities throughout the course, to include a team-building exercise at the Monterey Lanes where the participants got to know each other, other participant family members, and faculty; a hike along the Pacific Coast and through the redwoods at Julia Pfeiffer State Park; and an embassy-style reception with the Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Cultural Ambassadors of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) hosted by the Defense Language Institute (DLI).

 

Education Associate Discusses Cross-Cultural Communication with Armenian MoD

12 November to 16 November 2012, Ms. Charlie Orsburn, DRMI Education Associate, traveled to Armenia as part of the NATO Defense Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) and PfP Consortium (PfPC) team to discuss cross-cultural communications training with staff of the Armenian Ministry of Defense (MoD). MoD leaders decided to incorporate a cross-cultural dimension to their training requirements to address the rich cultural diversity of its 10 provinces. MoD leaders hope to integrate the simulation exercise, BaFa' BaFa, into their officer cross-cultural communications training to measure graduates' preparedness to lead diverse groups. They also hope to alleviate some of the problems of interior disputes among the cadets through improved interpersonal communication skills. Narineh Hovakimyan, Ph.D., will head the cross-cultural communications course for the MoD, and Ms. Orsburn will continue to work with her and other Armenian MoD members on behalf of the NATO DEEP.

 

DRMI in Armenia

Dr. Robert M. McNab, Associate Professor of Economics at DRMI and Interim Chair, Global Public Policy Academic Group, and Mrs. Charlie Orsburn, Education Associate at DRMI, traveled to Armenia as part of the NATO Defense Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) team. Dr. McNab worked with other members of the team to review the proposed curricula of the graduate Command Staff and Officers Course (CSOC), while Ms. Orsburn discussed cross-cultural communications training with staff of the Ministry of Defense. The Armenian Ministry of Defense is planning to implement the CSOC in 2013 and also desires to incorporate cross-cultural communication principles at all levels of officer, and eventually NCO, training.

 

DRMI Faculty Member Conducts Seminar at the Jordanian Royal Defense College

Associate Professor Jomana Amara presented a seminar at the Jordanian Royal Defense College on the development of defense economics as a discipline in economics. Dr. Amara discussed achievements of researchers working on defense economics topics such as the understanding of military alliances, the impact of defense spending on national budgets, and the choices entailed in defense spending. She also reviewed Jordanian defense spending and its effect on the national budget.

 

DRMI Faculty Participate in Fourth U.S.-Brazil Global Partnership Dialogue

On October 24, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Minister of External Relations Antonio de Aguiar Patriota conducted the fourth meeting of the United States - Brazil Global Partnership Dialogue (GPD) in Washington, D.C. Minister Patriota and Secretary Clinton praised the Domestic Finance for Development (DF4D) Workshop that was held in Brasilia and co-hosted by the United States and Brazil on October 9-10, which set the stage for follow-on collaboration with participating countries to encourage fiscal transparency and discourage corruption while making tax administration and budget execution more efficient and effective. This Workshop was conducted by DRMI Professors (Dr. Diana Angelis, Dr. Bob McNab, Dr. Anke Richter and Dr. Francois Melese) with high-level presentations from the Ministry of Finance, Treasury, and the Central Bank of Brazil, and enjoyed tremendous support from Nate Christensen (USPTC-Program Office) and the State Dept. Our Assistant Secretary of State for Economic & Business Affairs, the Honorable Mr. Jose Fernandez, also participated. Other countries involved included Honduras, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. A goal is for the U.S. to encourage whole-of-government fiscal transparency initiatives in key countries in partnership ("tri-lateral cooperation") with Brazilian colleagues.

 

DRMI Faculty Graduate HCRM Course in Jordan

Associate Professor Jomana Amara, Assistant Professor Laura Armey, Senior Lecturer Steve Hurst, and Lecturer Luis Morales conducted the Institute's fifth Human Capital Resources Management (HCRM) course in Amman, Jordan from 7-18 October 2012. Human capital resources have become a top priority in Jordan as the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) reform human resources management. In the first week of the course, DRMI faculty gave a brief introduction to strategic planning and economic concepts that establish the framework within which human capital resource allocation decisions are made. They then focused on total force management concepts including integration of active and reserve forces, civilians and contractors. In the second week of the course, faculty focused on managing the force and covered topics ranging from screening and selection to separation and retirement of military personnel. The 36 HCRM course participants represented various military services within the JAF. Each participant worked on a team that developed and presented a group project on a human resources related challenge within the JAF.

 

DRMI Course in Analytical Decision Making Underway

On Tuesday, 25 September, DRMI faculty began a four-day course in analytical decision making for 27 participants from the Argentinian Ministry of Defense (MoD). Assistant Professor Jason Hansen (course coordinator), Associate Professor Natalie Webb, Assistant Professor Jay Simon and Lecturer Luis Morales conducted the course at the Ministry of Defense in Buenos Aires. The course covered concepts from linear programming to project management to cost-benefit analysis. The MILGRP commander Col Patrick Hall, U.S. Army opened the course with comments about the importance about managing the scarce resources of the country of Argentina and emphasized the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Argentinian governments.

 

DRMI Faculty Graduates Last DRMC of 2012 and Launches Budget Course

DRMI faculty graduates last DRMC of 2012 and launches budget course – DRMI faculty graduated Defense Resources Management Course 12-5 with 29 participants from seven countries, including the U.S., on 14 September. The four-week course addressed many key concepts and ideas that contribute to efficient and effective allocation of scarce defense resources. DRMI faculty also launched the second Budget Preparation, Execution and Accountability (BPEA) course of the year on 17 September. The BPEA has 16 participants from six countries including the U.S. This eight-day course picked up where the DRMC ended, translating programmatic information approved in a resources management framework to detailed budgets that must be justified and defended throughout the budget submission and approval process. Course participants apply many of the concepts presented through numerous challenging exercises and problems. They also select, research, prepare and present a resources management issue from their own organizations to the class. The BPEA concludes on 26 September.

 

DRMI Faculty Conduct Workshop in Moldova

From 7-9 September, Senior Lecturer Allan Polley and Associate Professor Natalie Webb worked in Chisinau, Moldova, with participants from the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and General Staff of Moldova to assess MoD progress in developing and implementing a planning-to-resourcing system. The ultimate goal for the workshop was to provide useful information on how to allocate scarce defense resources among Moldova's competing security needs. Twelve participants represented MoD and military directorates and organizations including Defense Plans and Policy, Economics and Finance, Acquisition, Logistics and General Staff. The participants and faculty discussed strategic planning issues, resource allocation and tradeoff issues, guidance and other formal MoD and government documents and performance management topics. The workshop ended with DRMI faculty providing insight on how to create the MoD's implementation plan. The implementation plan will link existing strategic and budget guidance to provide the best allocation of Moldova's scarce defense resources.

 

DRMI Graduates MCDM Course

DRMI faculty concluded the first of two Multiple-Criteria Decision Making courses this year on 31 August 2012. This first course included 16 international participants from Saudi Arabia, Israel, Slovenia, Colombia, Argentina and Norway. DRMI faculty designed lecture material to provide participants with the tools necessary to solve decision problems with many, often conflicting, objectives. Participants applied their learning to real-life case studies and a project of their choosing derived from professional activities in their own organizations.

 

DRMI Faculty Conduct Course in Honduras

Assistant Professor Jason Hansen, Senior Lecturer Larry Vaughan, Lecturer Luis Morales and retired Senior Lecturer Don Bonsper conducted a one-week course at the Honduras National Defense College (CDN) from 13 - 17 August 2012 in Tegucigalpa. A diverse group of 27 senior military and civilian officials attended the course. The participants took the course in conjunction with their courses in the CDN and the Command and General Staff College. This year's event marks the 22nd DRMI course in Honduras and continues the longstanding relationship between DRMI and the CDN dating back to 1991. COL Coca, CDN Director, indicated his strong satisfaction with the course. Based on initial discussions, DRMI expects to return again next year and talks are underway to investigate the possibility of DRMI's course becoming part of a permanent master's degree program. Midway through the course participants were treated to a special visit from Ambassador Jose Isaias Barahona Herrera, the Honduran ambassador to Israel, and former Chief of the Honduran Armed Forces and a DRMI alumni of IDMC 93-1.

 

DRMI Faculty Conduct Course in South Sudan

During the period 6-17 August, DRMI faculty conducted two courses in Juba, South Sudan. The first event was a three-day senior executive course for 30 general officers and senior civilians from the South Sudan Ministry of Defense (MoD), General Headquarters (GHQ), and Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA). The course was focused on the top-level tradeoffs that must be considered when formulating strategy. At the conclusion of the first course, DRMI faculty led the Planning and Budget Officer's Course for 32 mid-career officers and civilians from the MoD and GHQ. Faculty focused this seven-day course on the analytical processes needed to support top-level decision-making. Specific topics addressed were cost analysis, effectiveness analysis, economic analysis, and budgeting and resource management systems.

 

DRMI Faculty Conduct Course in Germany

Associate Professor Eva Regnier and Assistant Professor Jay Simon conducted a one-week Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) course in Heidelberg, Germany from 30 July to 3 August. The course was requested by Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Europe, a U.S. Army organization responsible for garrisons in Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The 19 participants in the course work at U.S. Army installations in Europe, mostly in Germany. IMCOM Europe is currently undergoing reductions and closures, resulting in acute challenges in allocating scarce resources, which provided the impetus for this course. The participants were extremely receptive to quantitative methods for expressing preferences and comparing alternatives. Several participants expressed interest in attending other DRMI courses.

 

DRMI Faculty Conduct Fourth HCRM Course in Jordan

Associate Professor Jomana Amara, Senior Lecturer Steve Hurst, and Lecturers Mark Hladky and Luis Morales conducted the Institute’s fourth Human Capital Resources Management (HCRM) course in Amman, Jordan from 8-19 July 2012. The 22 HCRM course participants included two females, a first in these courses, and two Palestinians, which added a different and very important perspective to class dynamics and small group discussions. General Farghal, Director of Training for the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF), sponsored the HCRM course with a primary goal of introducing a large segment of the JAF to international best practices in human resources management. General Farghal was extremely pleased with the course and approved a fifth HCRM course to be conducted in October 2012.

 

DRMI Graduates SIDMC

DRMI graduated the 43rd annual Senior International Defense Management Course on 20 July. The intense, four-week course included 31 senior military and civilian officials from 24 countries, including the United States. The diverse group of senior decision makers spent the four weeks working and exchanging ideas in the area of strategic defense resources management. The DRMI faculty presented a strategic decision making framework for the top level planning and resources allocation decisions that must be made in today’s complex security environment. The participants also had the opportunity to engage in several field study program activities to include a Monterey Peninsula tour, two offsite evening intercultural workshops, and a three-day trip to San Francisco. Dr. S. C. Chu, President of the Institute for Defense Analysis and Mr. Bob Hale, Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Defense, enhanced the DRMI curriculum with guest speaker presentations.

 

DRMI Faculty Visit Armenian MoD

Associate Professor Robert McNab and Assistant Professor Ryan Sullivan, from the Defense Resources Management Institute (DRMI), partnered with representatives of RAND, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, Marine Forces Europe, and the Kansas National Guard to discuss the professionalization of the NCO Corps in the Armenian Armed Forces. The DRMI representatives discussed the goals, principles, and policies related to military compensation in the United States. At the request of the Armenian Ministry of Defense (MoD), the DRMI representatives presented a notional NCO basic compensation schedule and the MoD has asked DRMI to develop a policy paper on military compensation.

 

DRMI Faculty Member Participates in BiH Workshop

Associate Professor Diana Angelis joined Professor Daniel Nussbaum (OR) to present a workshop on Cost-Benefit Analysis at the Peace Support Operations Training Center (PSOTC) in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) 20-22 June 2012. The workshop was organized by the Partnership for Peace Training and Education Center (USPTC) at NPS as part of a Building Integrity initiative. Twenty three representatives from the Parliament, Commission for Finance and Budget and Military Commission, Ministry of Defense Departments for Finance, Procurements and Logistics, and several other agencies participated in the workshop. The seminar included presentations on life cycle cost estimates, net present value analysis, measuring benefits and effectiveness, cost-effectiveness analysis and risk analysis. Dr. Angelis and Dr. Nussbaum used a case study to illustrate and discuss the real-world application of these concepts and the participants had an opportunity to apply some of the concepts to relevant projects in BiH.

 

DRMI Completes Mobile Course in Kuala Lumpur, Graduates DRMC 12-3

DRMI faculty conducted a two-week Mobile International Defense Management Course at the Malaysia Armed Forces Defense College (MAFDC) in Kuala Lumpur from 28 May - 8 June. Professors CJ LaCivita and Jim Morris, Assistant Professor Ryan Sullivan and Lecturer Luis Morales offered the course as an integrated part of the MAFDC's Master's degree program for senior officers in the Malaysian armed forces. Forty eight students, including members of the armed forces of Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore, participated in the course.

DRMI also graduated its third Defense Resources Management Course for FY12 on 15 June, which consisted of 34 participants from 12 countries (Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and the United States). This four-week course addressed practical applications to management decisions that involve many competing and often conflicting organizational objectives. DRMI will offer two more DRMCs this year.

 

Cost-Benefit Analysis workshop for Armenia MOD

Dr. Diana Angelis joined Dr. Daniel Nussbaum (OR) to present a workshop on cost-benefit analysis to the MOD of Armenia 26-28 Mar 2012. The workshop was organized by the Partnership for Peace Training and Education Center (USPTC) at NPS and provided an opportunity for DRMI to collaborate with other NPS departments. The workshop was held at the MOD headquarters outside Yerevan and included 15 participants from the Planning and Budgeting sections of the MOD. Topics covered included lifecycle cost estimation, present value analysis, measuring benefits, cost-effectiveness analysis, risk management and sensitivity analysis. The participants had the opportunity to apply the concepts to a case study and presented the results of their analysis at the end of the workshop.

 

Metrics workshop for Georgia MOD

DRMI conducted a workshop on metrics for the Georgian MoD in Monterey the week of 14-18 May. Drs. Diana Angelis and Natalie Webb presented the workshop. The purpose of this workshop was to educate the participants on the development of metrics and to apply that knowledge to the Georgian Strategic Defense Review Implementation Plan (SDR IP). The workshop covered the following topics:

Linking goals and objectives to performance management
Performance metrics: what makes a good measure?
Measuring effectiveness (outcomes, quality)
Measuring progress (outputs, time, quantity)

The workshop consisted of presentations by the DRMI faculty, exercises designed to reinforce learning objectives and application of concepts to the SDR IP. Deliverables included a set of metrics for the SDR IP actions related to NATO integration an outline for a rubric that can be used for evaluating a concept of operations.

 

DRMI Graduates DRMC 12-2

DRMI’s second Defense Resources Management Course for FY12 graduated on May 18, 2012. This four-week course addressed practical applications to management decisions that involve many competing and often conflicting organizational objectives. Twenty-eight participants from 13 countries (Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Turkey and the United States) attended the course. The course included a guest presentation by Colonel Michael Meese, Professor and Director of the Department of Social Sciences, US Military Academy, West Point. The course concluded the same way it began, with an exercise in which participants had to make resource allocation decisions among several competing alternatives, under conditions of uncertainty, over time. DRMI will offer three more DRMCs this year.

 

DRMI Farewells Faculty Member

This is Lieutenant Colonel Michael Nixon's final week as an instructor and faculty representative of the United States Army at the Defense Resources Management Institute. During his two years of service at DRMI, LTC Nixon was widely recognized as one of DRMI's most proficient and capable instructors. His achievements contributed significantly to the educational and diplomatic missions of DRMI and to the professional development of hundreds of officers and civilian defense professionals from the United States and its allies around the world. LTC Nixon and his family will continue to serve our country at US Central Command in Tampa, Florida, where he will undoubtedly distinguish himself immensely-our loss is their gain.

 

DRMI Graduates Indonesian Resident Course

Professors CJ LaCivita and Jim Morris, Associate Professor Jonathan Lipow, and Lecturer Mark Hladky concluded a two-week resident Indonesian Resources Management course on 4 May 2012. Among the 30 participants was the Director of the Indonesian Defense University, Air Vice Marshall Harahap. The faculty presented key concepts in economics and quantitative reasoning designed to enhance the effective allocation and use of scarce defense resources, then had the participants apply these concepts in a simulated environment through a series of exercises and case studies. The class also had the opportunity to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a go on a trip to San Francisco, where they enjoyed a city tour and attended a reception at the Indonesian Consulate. Charlie Orsburn, DRMI Field Studies Program manager, accompanied the class on the San Francisco trip, during which she had many opportunities to discuss American culture and the importance of human rights with the participants.

 

DRMI Faculty Conduct Course in Jordan

This past week Associate Professors Jomana Amara and Diana Angelis, Senior Lecturer Steve Hurst, and LTC Mike Nixon concluded the Institute's third human capital resources management course in Amman, Jordan. The Director of Training for the Jordanian Armed Forces, General Farghal, sponsored the course with a primary goal of introducing a large segment of the JAF to international best practices in human resources management.

VADM Landay speaks to IDMC 12-1

VADM William E. Landay III, Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), presented an overview of DSCA to IDMC 12-1 course participants and DRMI faculty. Admiral Landay discussed the various security assistance programs managed by DSCA, compared the foreign military sales and direct commercial sales programs, and emphasized the role and importance DSCA programs have in strengthening US relationships with our global partners.

 

DRMI Faculty Conduct Course in Ethiopia

DRMI conducted a course from 5-16 March for the African Union’s (AU) Peace Support Operations Department (PSOD) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The PSOD is responsible for planning the AU’s mission in Somalia (known as AMISOM) and recently has been tasked to plan the AU’s mission against the Lord’s Resistance Army. DRMI was asked to help the PSOD think about how to make tradeoffs in an operational planning environment. The PSOD has a different set of challenges from those of a sovereign nation, since the resources they ultimately allocate come from the AU member nations and the international donor community. Nevertheless, the principles of efficient and effective resource allocation apply as strongly in their case as at the national level.

 

DRMI Faculty Member Attends Peacekeeping Conference

Assistant Professor Jomana Amara attended the 7th Annual Peacekeeping, Reconstruction, and Stabilization conference held in Alexandria, Virginia in early February. The theme of the conference this year was transitioning from states of conflict and disaster to states of security. Dr. Amara gave a talk titled "Progressing Reconstruction Efforts," detailing the steps the development community should follow to ensure an effective transition from conflict to peace. The talk stressed that recurring civil wars have become a dominant form of armed conflict in the world today, and that post conflict reconstruction is not normal economic development. In addition to economic development, reconstruction and stabilization entail a process of ensuring security and advancing political and social reconciliation.

 

DRMI Begins First of Two International Resident Courses

DRMI officially opened IDMC 12-1 on 5 February with a brunch and welcoming remarks from Professor Jim Wirtz, Dean of the School of International Graduate Studies, NPS, and Professor Francois Melese, Executive Director of DRMI. The eleven-week course has 27 participants from 17 countries. Week one of the course started off with an introduction to the defense management challenge and an all-day Tempo Military Planning Game designed to introduce the key concepts of the course. Course participants will soon meet with officers through the Foreign Area Officers Cultural Ambassador Program.

 

DRMI Faculty Provide Technical Assistance to Armenian MoD

The week of January 30, Professor CJ LaCivita and Associate Professor Robert McNab collaborated with Dr. Todor Targarev of the Swiss Defense Academy in Armenia. Dr. LaCivita and Dr. McNab provided technical advice to the Armenian Ministry of Defense on the linkages among national security policy, defense planning and programs, and defense budgets. The work, sponsored by the Defense Institution Building program, aims to improve the capacity of the Armenian Ministry of Defense to efficiently and effectively manage its scarce defense resources. On 3 February DRMI completed Defense Resources Management Course 12-1, graduating officials from six countries plus the United States. The four-week course is the first of five that DRMI will offer in 2012.

 

DRMI Completes Final Mobile Course for 2011 in Amman, Jordan

A DRMI team of Associate Professor Jonathan Lipow, Assistant Professor Jomana Amara, LTC Mike Nixon, and Senior Lecturer Steve Hurst (Team Coordinator) returned home for the holidays after completing the last DRMI mobile course for 2011. The DRMI faculty delivered the second of two, two-week courses on Human Resources Management 4-15 December. DRMI conducted the first course 19-30 September with 27 participants from the military services. This second course had a total of 26 military officer participants with one each from the Navy and Air Force and 24 from the Army. And for the first time for DRMI, two participants from the Palestinian Authority attended the course. The course included a practical application where course participants worked in groups on real Jordanian military human resources issues. Each group selected an issue in week 1 and then worked on that issue applying course concepts. The groups made formal presentations of their solutions at the end of week 2. DRMI expects to deliver additional courses in 2012 as part of the Jordanian initiative to make significant changes in the area of human resources management.

 

DRMI Joins DIRI Team to Peru

DRMI faculty Associate Professor Natalie Webb and Senior Lecturer Don Bonsper joined with Dr. Lis Wright (IDARM) and MGen (Ret.) Richard Goetze, USAF to conduct a three-day workshop 7-9 November in Lima, Peru as part of the Defense Institution Reform Initiative (DIRI). DRMI's contribution was in the area of performance budgeting. The DRMI faculty worked with a group of Peruvians from the three military services, joint command, and various offices from the ministry of defense to try and connect defense spending with clearly defined goals and objectives. Dr. Wright provided valuable assistance to help Peru establish a centralized agency for the acquisition of common items and major weapons systems for the military services and joint command. General Goetze served as the team leader and had off-line meetings with host country and embassy officials in support of the US-Peru bi-lateral relationship. The team departed having left a clear roadmap for the way forward and expects to return in March of next year to continue this important effort.

 

2d Mobile Course Completed in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Dr. Jonathan Lipow and Senior Lecturer Allan Polley conducted a mobile course for members of the 2d Military District of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Matadi, Congo, 5-9 September 2011. This course--DRMI's second in Congo--was delayed due to various diplomatic difficulties and impediments and we hope the opportunity to return will occur in less than the 27 months it took from the 1st course to the 2nd. Applying marginal reasoning (as we like to do at DRMI), it was clear to us that efforts undertaken in Congo produce relatively big results. Restated-the bang for the buck in Congo is huge!

 

IDMC 11-2 Returns from Washington

DRMI’s final resident course for 2011, International Defense Management Course 11-2, returned from its Field Studies Program visit to Washington DC on 6 November. The six-day trip took place during week 6 of the 11 week course. Highlights of the trip included time at the US 112th Congress, briefings from California Congressman Sam Farr and Neil Hedlund of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and special lectures on real-world defense analyses presented by members of the Institute for Defense Analysis. The 35 participants from 18 countries had adequate free time to fully enjoy the many historic sites of the city and have expressed overwhelming satisfaction and gratitude for the trip. They are now back in the classroom and working toward their graduation date of December 9, 2011.

 

Second Multi-Criteria Decision Making Course Graduated

DRMI completed its second and final Multi-Criteria Decision Making Course (MCDM) for 2011on 21 October. The intense two-week course started on 11 October with 10 participants from Lebanon(2) and the United States (8). The DRMI faculty developed a quantitative approach to support decision making in defense organizations with special focus on practical applications to management decisions involving many competing and often conflicting organizational objectives. The lead Army analyst for the most recent round of the Base Realignment and Closure process gave a well-received guest lecture. The course concluded with the participants making individual project presentations that have direct relevance to their parent organizations.

 

DRMI Completes Course in Armenia, Another New Country

DRMI conducted its first mobile course ever in Yerevan, Armenia 3-14 October. The DRMI team of Dr. Bob McNab (team leader), Dr. Ryan Sullivan and Lecturer Luis Morales supported the EUCOM and ODC engagement plans in the area of defense reform. The course included a variety of topics ranging from program budgeting, multi-year costing, and evidence-based decision making. Twenty-two participants including members of the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Policy, Ministry of Territorial Administration, National Security Council, and General Staff attended the course. The Armenian MoD is tentatively planning to host DRMI again in February 2012 for a specialized course on public budgeting for members of its defense financial management and planning staff.

 

DRMI Plows New Ground in Jordan

DRMI faculty Dr. Jim Morris, Dr. Jomana Amara, Dr. Laura Armey and Senior Lecturer Steve Hurst traveled to Amman, Jordan to conduct the Institute's first Human Resources Management Course 19-30 September. The Director of Training for the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) sponsored the course with a primary goal of introducing a large segment of the JAF to international best practices in human resources management. The DRMI team worked with 27 officers - 24 Army, two Navy, one Air Force - covering a wide range of topics using a lecture and small group discussion format. Jordan has asked for a second course 4-15 December of this year and has indicated a desire for possibly three more courses in 2012. DRMI expects to see more representation from the Navy and Air Force in future courses.

 

DRMI at Home and on the Road

DRMI’s team to Matadi, Congo returned from a one-week mobile course that graduated 24 military participants on 16 September. The Institute graduated its second, and final for 2011, resident eight-day Budget Preparation Execution and Accountability course on 28 September. The course included 13 participants from Colombia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United States. On 30 September the DRMI team in Jordan completed a two-week mobile course on human resources management with 26 participants: 24 Army, 1 Air Force, one Navy. On 26 September, the Institute started the second and final resident 11-week International Defense Management Course with 36 participants from 19 countries. Finally, at the end of the week, DRMI sent its first mobile team ever to Armenia to begin a two-week mobile course on 3 October.

 

DRMI Completes 20th Mobile Course in Honduras

When the Expanded International Military Education and Training program started in 1991, Honduras took advantage of DRMI to establish and staff a National Defense College. DRMI conducted two mobile courses in 1991 to help prepare the new faculty and to start what has been an annual event at the college. Each year DRMI teaches the resources management portion of the year long curriculum. During 5-9 September, DRMI completed its 20th offering at the school. This year's class included 34 participants: 10 military, 2 police, and 22 civilians. The military participants included one officer each from Taiwan and the Dominican Republic. The civilians were a diverse mix of officials from both the public and private sectors. DRMI expects to return again next year.

 

DRMI Delivers Course for NPS

DRMI faculty added to their normal resident course activities and presented GP 3300: Analytical Decision Making during 1-19 August at NPS. This was one part of a three part resident program within NPS's Global Public Policy Academic Group (GPPAG). The course started with a distributed learning portion taught by Associate Professor Bob McNab which was then followed by the three week on-site portion presented by Professor Kent Wall and Assistant Professor Jay Simon. Twenty-one students from five elements within USACACOM attended the intense course which is tailored to the practitioner working in overseas areas. Students applied the analytical concepts and tools from the course to a practical problem in resource allocation encountered in planning a civil affairs mission for a rural agricultural district.

 

DRMI Graduates DRMC 11-4

DRMI faculty graduated Defense Resources Management Course 11-4 with its 38 participants from 11 countries including the United States on 18 August. The four-week course addressed many key concepts and ideas that contribute to efficient and effective defense resources management. The course included a well-received guest presentation on 15 August by Ms. Gretchen Andersen, Director of Revolving Funds, OUSD Comptroller. DRMI will launch its fifth and final DRMC of 2011 on 22 August with 45 participants from 15 countries. Simultaneously the DRMI faculty will start the first of two, two-week courses on Multi-Criteria Decision Making currently scheduled to include 19 participants from six countries including the United States.

 

DRMI Graduates SIDMC

DRMI graduated the 42st annual Senior International Defense Management Course on 22 July. The intense, four-week course included 45 senior military and civilian officials from 29 countries including the United States. The diverse group of senior decision makers spent the four weeks working and exchanging ideas in the area of strategic defense resources management. The DRMI faculty presented a strategic decision making framework for the top level planning and resources allocation decisions that must be made in today’s complex security environment. The DRMI curriculum was enhanced with guest speaker presentations by Bob Hale, the OSD Comptroller, and retired General Mike Carns, former vice-chief of staff of the USAF. DRMI wishes the very best for this year’s graduates as they return home to their respective countries.

 

DRMI Completes Another Mobile Course in Kuala Lumpur

DRMI conducted a two-week Mobile International Defense Management Course at the Malaysia Armed Forces Defense College (MAFDC) in Kuala Lumpur from June 1-10. Professors CJ LaCivita and Jim Morris, Associate Professor Bob McNab (course coordinator), Assistant Professor Jay Simon and LCDR Anthony Seifert offered the course as an integrated part of the MAFDC's Master's degree program for senior officers in the Malaysian armed forces. Forty students, including members of the armed forces of Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore, participated in the course. DRMI has been part of the MAFDC curriculum since 1999.

 

DRMI Conducts Back-to-Bback Courses in Iraq

DRMI is conducting two tailored Iraqi Planning and Budget Officer courses with the Ministry of Interior in Baghdad. The first course was taught by Senior Lecturer Steve Hurst and Associate Professor Jonathan Lipow 11-22 April and included 75 mid- and upper-level officers. The second course immediately followed with Lecturer Luis Morales and LTC Mike Nixon delivering the course 25 April – 6 May for 80 additional participants. Both courses offer a set of concepts and analytical tools that have broad application in the areas of security planning and budgeting. DRMI has established a strong relationship with the MoI during the last few years that has resulted in its being the ministry to emulate in terms of planning and resources management.

 

Efforts Continue in Kyrgyzstan

Professor Francois Melese and Senior Lecturer Al Polley conducted a Multi-Criteria Decision Making workshop in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 4-7 April 2011. The focus was on the four major criteria that should be considered when evaluating resources allocation decisions costs, capabilities, time and risk. Workshop participants were challenged throughout the workshop to apply the concepts within the context of their organizations. To that end, each of the eight participants prepared and presented two briefings: The first, a matrix of the outputs/activities of their organization, and the inputs used to produce those outputs, emphasizing the true costs of their outputs; The second, a multi-criteria objectives hierarchy framework to measure and assess the capability and effectiveness of their outputs. Ultimately, the workshop participants gained insights into how they might better evaluate costs, capabilities, time and risk to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their organizations.

 

DRMI Team Completes Mobile Course in Indonesia

Associate Professor Anke Richter, Senior Lecturer Steve Hurst, and Lecturer Mark Hladky conducted a two-week mobile course from March 21st to April 1st at the Indonesian Education and Training Center, Badiklat Kemhan, in Jarkata, Indonesia. The course shared economic concepts and management tools that support the allocation of scare government resources. The course occurred at a most opportune time as Indonesia is trying to decide what defense capabilities it requires in allocating a very small defense budget (less than 1% of GDP). They are addressing questions such as the relative value of purchasing additional F16s or establishing a Coast Guard? Thirty-one highly qualified and highly motivated participants from the Indonesian Defense Forces graduated on 1 April. This is DRMI's first mobile course to Indonesia since 2005.

 

IDMC returns from Washington DC

International Defense Management Course 11-1 is safely back in Monterey after a most successful Field Studies Program visit to Washington DC 15-20 March 2011. The 20 international officials from 16 countries enjoyed the opportunity to visit the nation's capital both to see its historical sites as well as receive briefings from various organizations. On the professional side, highlights included briefings by analysts from the Institute for Defense Analysis in Alexandria, Virginia. On the "getting to know the capital," highlights included lunch with California Congressman Sam Farr and the opportunity to visit the 112th Congress as they debated the issue of public funds being used to support the non-profit organization National Public Radio (NPR). The participants also enjoyed a day trip back in time to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, Virginia. The class is now working to complete its final five weeks of the 11- week course of study, with graduation scheduled for 20 April.

 

BiH Minister of Defense addresses DRMI Participants

On 7 March, Dr. Selmo Cikotic, Minister of Defense of Bosnia Herzegovina, addressed DRMI's International Defense Management Course 11-1. He offered his thoughts on the effects of globalization in the area of national security by looking at those global threats which require a higher degree of interdependence among countries. He also presented a brief history of defense reform in BiH in terms of obstacles that have been overcome and current issues for the future. The IDMC participants reacted extremely well to the candid presentation and asked many hard questions including some about the current issues in North Africa and the Middle East. This was the second time Minister Cikotic has spoken to a DRMI resident class.

 

DRMI Represented at European Conferences

DRMI faculty recently participated in two European strategy conferences. Dr. Anke Richter attended the Russia, Ukraine & Eurasia Policy and Strategy Conference at the Pentagon February 15-16, 2011 . This conference highlighted the Department of Defense strategies in this important region of the world and showed how they are integrated with the policies of other governmental organizations. Senior Lecturer Al Polley attended the EUCOM Strategy Conference at Ramstein AB, Germany, 28 Feb-3 March. The ESC focused on ensuring that all planning documents are well connected, from the theater level to individual countries. DRMI will use the information from both conference to tailor its course offerings to support official US policy in the EUCOM AOR.

 

DRMI Faculty Addresses NATO Conference

DRMI's Dr. Robert McNab spoke on the topic of "Corruption, Culture, and Conflict" at the NATO Building Integrity in Defense Institutions conference in Monterey, CA on February 24, 2011. This second NATO conference in Monterey was held at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and involved more than 150 people from 75 countries/institutions, including official representatives from government ministries, national delegations to NATO-HQ and NATO agencies (NATO School and NATO ACT), academia (national defense colleges and universities) and a few non-governmental organizations (Transparency International, Integrity Watch, Open Society, World Bank). Dr. McNab argued that traditional, institutional-based approaches to corruption falter if these approaches fail to adapt to cultural attitudes and norms. This presentation was an extension of Dr. McNab's research program into corruption and conflict, which is sponsored by the U.S. Army's Training and Doctrine Command (Monterey).

 

DRMI Has a Busy Week with Two Courses

DRMI officially opened IDMC 11-1 on 7 February after an opening brunch on 6 February. The eleven-week course will have participants from 15 countries. It is off to a good start with the first week offering an all day Tempo Military Planning Game designed to introduce the key concepts of the course. IDMC 11-1 will travel to Washington DC during the week of 14 March and will graduate on 20 April. During this same week the Iraq Resident Management Course completed its four weeks of study and graduated on 11 February. Highlights of the course included a visit to the Monterey Police Department. The 29 participants will return to their ministry of interior responsibilities next week.

 

DRMI and GSBPP work together to support Defense Business Board (DBB)

Two faculty members of DRMI, including the Executive Director, and one faculty member of GSBPP facilitated detailed discussions with the DBB late last year that contributed to their recent report to the Secretary of Defense regarding opportunities to achieve savings in defense spending. The President of NPS received a strong thank you from the lead member of the DBB that stated in part, "Your distinguished professors are to be commended for their excellent contributions and active participation with our Task Force and reflect the highest standards of integrity and professionalism that characterize the best of the Department of Defense."

 

DRMI Welcomes Iraqi Participants to IRMC 11-1

DRMI conducted two special resident courses in Monterey for the Iraqi Ministry of Interior (MOI) during 2010. On 18 January DRMI commenced its third Iraqi Resident Management Course (IRMC), this time with 29 participants from the MOI, including four major generals from Kurdistan. The course is closely related to the Defense Resources Management Course that the Institute offers five times a year. The big difference with the IRMC is that it is taught in English and interpreted into Arabic. All course materials have been translated into Arabic which greatly enhances the overall effectiveness of the course. IRMC 11-1 will graduate on 11 February. IRMC 11-2 is scheduled to start on 23 May.

 

DRMI joins NPS team in Jordan

Two faculty of the Naval Postgraduate School participated in the initial Strategic Defense Review (SDR) meetings with the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) from 5-8 December 2010. Dr. Robert McNab (DRMI) and Dr. Elisabeth Wright (IDARM), as part of the Defense Institutional Reform Initiative participated in a set of meetings with the JAF, representatives from the Office of Secretary of Defense - Policy, Central Command J-2, the Joint Staff , and the Military Assistance Program of the US Embassy. The SDR is meant to provide a rationale for the capabilities gaps and excesses that motivate the requirements for specific weapon systems platforms. Jordan desires to have an effects-based SDR in which the desired effects are linked to the ways, means, and ends. Ideally, this creates a linkage among policy, strategy, missions, requirements, capabilities, programs, systems, and budgets.

 

DRMI Returns to Macedonia

After more than six years since the first Mobile International Defense Management Course in Macedonia, DRMI returned 6-10 December to deliver an intense one-week course on strategic programming and budgeting. Twenty-two participants from a variety of organizations within the Ministry of Defense attended the course. The main focus of the course was building a system to better connect defense goals and objectives with the defense resources available. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of programming, which is the key component to make the connection. The course was held in the resort area of Ohrid, which proved to be a perfect setting in terms of facilities and separation from offices in Skopje. DRMI expects to continue the renewed relationship with Macedonia both with mobile courses and participants in resident courses in Monterey.

 

IDMC 10-2 Graduates

International Defense Management Course 10-2 finished its final exercises and graduated on 10 December, concluding a most successful eleven weeks in Monterey. The 38 participants from 24 countries will soon be back home with the opportunity to apply the resources management concepts and ideas they learned during the course. The IDMC marks the end of the most extensive six-month resident schedule in the Institute’s more than 45 years of operation. Next year promises to more of the same with the addition of a new resident course on Performance Management and Budgeting in April. But for now the Institute will start its normal end-of-year curriculum review in order to be ready for the first resident DRMC in January.

 

DRMI continues efforts in Kyrgyzstan

DRMI sent two faculty to Bishkek to deliver a four-day Strategic Budgeting workshop (15-18 November). The focus was on making tradeoffs among competing goals and used the Kyrgyz military’s five modernization priorities as the context. The workshop was attended by seven officers from the Ministry of Defense, four from the Border Services and one from the Interior Forces. This workshop was the fourth in a series of related workshops that DRMI has conducted in Kyrgyzstan. Current plans are to continue with two workshops per year through FY12. The Kyrgyz workshops are part of DRMI’s on-going efforts in Central Asia and complement similar efforts in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

 

Long standing relationships with two countries of Latin America Continues

DRMI continues long standing relationships with two countries of Latin America – During September, DRMI completed two mobile courses in Honduras and Argentina. Both countries were instrumental in supporting the Expanded International Military Education and Training (E-IMET) Program that was launched in 1991. DRMI played a key role in the formation of the National Defense College (CDN) of Honduras and completed its 19th mobile course at the school since 1991 during 6-10 September. DRMI provides the resources management module in the 9-month Senior National Defense Program. This year’s course included 38 military and civilian officials from various organizations within the armed forces and other ministries and brought the total number of Honduran participants who have attended a DRMI mobile course to 768. A week later, 13-17 September, another DRMI team conducted its 20th mobile course in Argentina since 1991 at the National Defense College (EDENA) of Argentina. This latest offering focused on Tools for Decision Makers Applied to Defense. The intense program had 39 military and civilian officials from the Ministry of Defense and all three military services. This brings the total number of Argentine officials who have attended a DRMI mobile course to 831. DRMI is extremely proud of the enduring relationships with both countries and is already in the early stages of planning courses for 2011.

 

Reconnecting with South Africa National Defense Force (SANDF)

DRMI Reconnects with South Africa National Defense Force (SANDF) – DRMI conducted four Mobile International Defense Management Courses in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) during the period 2000-2003. Then the courses stopped as a result of RSA’s failure to sign an Article 98 Bilateral Agreement with the US. Now after 7 years of talking and hoping, DRMI has reconnected with the SANDF, conducting a successful mobile course in Pretoria during the period 20-23 September 2010. DRMI sent a four-person team to work with 29 military and civilian officials from many organizations within the SANDF. The course focused on the need to make critical tradeoffs at all levels within the ministry of defense and offered a set of concepts and principles to help with those tradeoffs. The participants were extremely interested in the ideas and were supportive of follow-on courses in the future. DRMI hopes to return with another mobile course in March of next year.

 

Another successful effort in Kazakhstan Completed

A DRMI team visited the Kazakhstan National Defense University (KNDU) in Schuchinsk, Kazakhstan to present a workshop on Multi-Criteria Decision Making during the period 20-23 September. This was yet another bi-lateral event in a sequence of workshops that started in 2008. This latest effort worked with participants from the Ministry of Defense who were introduced to concepts and techniques for choosing among alternatives when there are multiple stakeholders and multiple objectives. The participants explored the relevant issues associated with such problems through a hands-on case study that illustrated the ideas presented in the workshop. DRMI expects to continue working with various organizations within the national security sector of Kazakhstan in 2011, including a curriculum development effort with the KNDU.