Incorporated
Policy changes from this SAMM E-Change memo have been incorporated into the SAMM.
DEFENSE SECURITY COOPERATION AGENCY
2800 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-2800
9/11/2026
MEMORANDUM FOR :
DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY FOR DEFENSE EXPORTS AND COOPERATION
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AGENCY
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
DIRECTOR, DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY
DIRECTOR, MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY
DIRECTOR, NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIRECTOR, SECURITY COOPERATION ACCOUNTING DIRECTORATE, DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE, INDIANAPOLIS OPERATIONS
DIRECTOR OF CYBERSECURITY DIRECTORATE AND DEPUTY NATIONAL MANAGER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEMS, NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
SUBJECT :
Defense Security Cooperation Agency Policy Memorandum 26-74, Updates to Chapter 10 International Military Education and Training Short Duration Waiver and Courses Section [SAMM E-Change 884]
This memorandum updates the Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM) Chapter 10, Section C10.6.3.6. and Table C10.T4. to reflect a Department of State (State) Policy change regarding the minimum duration of International Military Education and Training (IMET)-funded training. State's policy change eliminated the requirement to reduce the administrative burden on the security cooperation community. The 2026 IMET Grant Military Assistance Guide (GMAG) update removed the requirement for short duration waivers for IMET courses in the United States. Historically, the GMAG required a formal waiver and justification for any IMET-funded course occurring in the United States with a duration of less than five weeks. To streamline execution for DSCA, Military Groups (MILGPs) and Military Departments (MILDEPs), State has eliminated this waiver requirement. However, State will still review courses at the Security Cooperation Education and Training Working Group (SCETWG) to ensure any "short courses" are a good investment of time and resources and align with overall policy.
Effective immediately, the State policy removed the minimum duration threshold for IMET-funded courses. MILGPs are no longer required to submit short duration waivers for courses lasting less than five weeks. The removal is permanent.
The policy in the attachment is incorporated into the SAMM at https://samm.dsca.mil.
If you have questions about this memorandum, please contact DSCA (Defense Security Cooperation University, International Military Training and Education Division (DSCU/IMTE)) dsca.ncr.dscu.list.cos-imte-all-members@mail.mil. Please reference the DSCA policy number and memorandum subject in your inquiry. For general questions about the SAMM, please contact DSCA (Office of Strategy, Plans, and Policy, Execution Policy and Analysis Directorate (SPP/EPA)) at dsca.ncr.spp.mbx.epa@mail.mil.
Hussam H. Bader
Acting Assistant Director
Strategy, Plans, and Policy
ATTACHMENT :
SAMM E-Change 844 - Removing International Military Education and Training Short Duration Waiver Updates
Attachment 1: Security Assistance Management Manual E-Change 884
Removing International Military Education and Training Short Duration Waiver Updates
Remove Section C10.6.3.6. and renumber subsequent section as required.
C10.6.3.6. The minimum duration of training in the United States that is funded under the IMET program is five weeks if all or part of the overseas travel is paid by IMET. If an IMET recipient country pays 100 percent of the overseas travel to and from continental United States (CONUS) training, there is no minimum duration requirement. When IMET pays for any part of trans-ocean overseas travel, training less than five weeks in total duration requires a DSCA policy waiver before being programmed. IMS in-processing and/or ELT are not considered part of the five-week requirement. This limitation does not apply to the courses listed in Table C10.T4., which are exempt from the 5-week duration requirement. Waivers may be submitted by the SCO, through the CCMD to DSCA (DSCU/IMTE).
Remove Table C10.T4. "Exempt Short Duration Courses" and renumber subsequent tables as required.
Table C10.T4. Exempt Short Duration Courses
Courses/Schools
Implementing Agency
E-IMET Courses
Flag Ranked Courses
Orientation Tours
All MILDEPs
IMS Alumni Engagement-specific Events/Courses
All MILDEPs
Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC)
Army
Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS)
Navy
Air Force Physiological and Physiological refresher Training Combined Strategic Intelligence Training Program
English Language Instructor courses
Flight Safety courses
Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA)
International Intelligence Fellows Program
Air Force
DSCA