Guide
How do I get Foreign Military Sales certified?
Organizations must ensure that individuals assigned as case managers receive training, and the manual lists the courses required for certification.
How do I get FMS certified?
The currently hosts and provides access to the DOD International Affairs Certification Program (IACP) database. The IACP database is used by program participants to track and to provide a record of certification status.
The IACP was initially instituted by the in the form of a policy memo in December 2001. This began the long-term process for members of the workforce to attain appropriate levels of training, education, and experience to accomplish current-day requirements and better anticipate and prepare for the requirements of the future workforce. In May 2008, the guidance was more formally instituted within Directive 5012, “Department of Defense International Affairs Certification Program Guidelines.”
Personnel receive nominations to positions in accordance with DODI 5132.13. Requirements for nomination to a may entail slightly different criteria from the norm with respect to:
- Civilian education
- Language qualifications
- Military schooling
- Experience
- Area familiarity
- Health
- Family considerations
- Appropriate education and training to match the particular billet demands as identified within the Workforce Database (SCWD)
This last requirement for nomination is a direct result of requirements mandated by the U.S. Congress in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA FY17). However, certification and even nomination do not ensure the job, because the , the ambassador, and the / retain final selection rights.
References
SAMM
- SAMM C2.2.7 — Case Manager Training.
Related
Security Cooperation
Activities undertaken by the DoD to encourage and enable international partners to work with the United States to achieve strategic objectives. It includes all DoD interactions with foreign defense and security establishments, including all DoD-administered security assistance programs, that: build defense and security relationships that promote specific U.S. security interests, including all international armaments cooperation activities and security assistance activities; develop allied and friendly military capabilities for self-defense and multinational operations; and provide U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access to host nations.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
DSCA — Defense Security Cooperation Agency
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Glossary entry →Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) →
DSCU — Defense Security Cooperation University
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
DSAMS — Defense Security Assistance Management System
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Glossary entry →Defense Security Assistance Management Systems (DSAMS) →
Security Assistance (SA)
A group of programs authorized by federal statutes by which the United States provides defense articles, military training, and other defense-related services by grant, lease, loan, credit, or cash sales in furtherance of national policies and objectives, and those that are funded and authorized through the Department of State to be administered by Department of Defense/Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which are considered part of security cooperation.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
SAN — Security Assistance Network
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
An agency, under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)), that directs, administers, and provides DoD-wide guidance to the DoD Components and DoD representatives to U.S. missions abroad for the execution of DoD security assistance and security cooperation programs over which DSCA has responsibility, in accordance with Chapter 32 and Chapter 39 of title 22 U.S.C., DoD Directive (DoDD) 5132.03, other laws, and DoDD 5105.65.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
SCO — Security Cooperation Organization
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Combatant Command (CCMD)
A unified or specified command with a broad continuing mission under a single commander established and so designated by the President, through the Secretary of Defense and with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Also called CCMD.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
Senior Defense Official (SDO) and Defense Attaché (DATT)
Principal DoD official in a U.S. embassy, as designated by the Secretary of Defense. The SDO or DATT is the Chief of Mission's principal military advisor on defense and national security issues, the senior diplomatically accredited DoD military officer assigned to a diplomatic mission, and the single point of contact for all DoD matters involving the embassy or DoD elements assigned to or working from the embassy. The SDO or DATT is considered the dual-hatted chief of both the Security Cooperation Organization and Defense Attaché Office in the embassy. This position was established by DoDD 5205.75, Department of Defense Operations at U.S. Embassies, December 21, 2007. The same document gives coordinating authority (see glossary definition) to the SDO or DATT for the purpose of ensuring that all DoD elements in a country are working in consonance with each other and under the guidance of the Chief of Mission. The SDO or DATT program replaces the now defunct U.S. Defense Representative model.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026