Embassy
Foreign Military Sales Security Cooperation Officer (Embassy)
Embassy SCO Chief (ODC / OSC)
The senior U.S. military officer in-country leading activities — the first-stop interface between the partner's MoD and the U.S. enterprise.
What They Do
What the organization is
The principal DOD representative and senior official in most countries is the Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché (/), per DOD Directive 5205.75. As such, the / serves concurrently as a diplomatically accredited defense attaché in charge of the DAO and the chief of the .
The functions the statute assigns
Section 515(a) of the outlines the seven legislative functions as follows:
1. Equipment and services case management (i.e., / field-level case management)
2. Training management
3. Program monitoring (i.e., end-use monitoring or )
4. Evaluation and planning of the host government’s military capabilities and requirements
5. Administrative support
6. Promoting rationalization, standardization, interoperability (RSI), and other defense cooperation measures
7. Liaison functions exclusive of advisory and training assistance
The serves as the intermediary between the , , and case manager and the host nation to ensure that each case is both prepared and executed in accordance with objectives and host nation desires. The may assist the host nation military with obtaining information on defense articles and services from DOD organizations, public sources, and U.S. vendors. The may assist the host nation in documenting its requirements and articulating its requests in terms that DOD organizations understand. The ensures that cases follow the concept as appropriate.
Before the Letter of Request, and the Country Team Assessment
When the becomes aware of credible demand signals indicating the probable submission of a for either a , , or a commercial Request for Information (RFI) or for sensitive or classified defense articles or services, the should develop a Pre- Assessment Request (PAR), as directed in C3.1.2. The intent of the PAR is to inform the interagency community and the cognizant to initiate the Technology Security and Foreign Disclosure (TSFD) process for timely release of determinations.
There may be times when an must be accompanied by a . A is prepared by senior U.S. embassy leadership by evaluating an and developing a coordinated position in support of the proposed sale. Normally, the prepares the submission and staffs it with the various members of the .
Relations with industry
The must, however, maintain strict neutrality in promoting different U.S. firms competing for the same potential sale and should not endorse one specific American product or vendor over another unless specifically directed by . Any assistance rendered to one vendor must be offered or made available to other U.S. competitors. On the other hand, in cases where it is clear that there is only one U.S. source for a certain product or service, the may endorse that American product to the host nation. While supporting U.S. industry, the must also be an honest broker, considering both U.S. and host nation defense and policy interests.
After delivery: end-use monitoring
The assists the host country in its integration of U.S.-origin equipment, training, and services into its force structure; monitors the use and protection of them; and advises the host nation on potential third party transfers to include demilitarization and disposal. These duties relate to the function of program monitoring.
Program monitoring also demands that U.S. articles or technologies that are sold, granted, loaned, or leased to foreign countries be regularly accounted for, safeguarded, and used only for the purposes intended at the time of the transfer. In addition, it is ensuring that, when articles or technologies are no longer required by the original recipient and permanently transferred, or temporarily transferred to other entities, or disposed of, that these actions are approved by the in advance.
Active Pipeline Stages
Where this role is most involved across the FMS pipeline:
Who They Work With
The most frequent counterparts across an FMS case:
Cross-Service Terminology
The in-country role is the Chief — not the Embassy Political-Military Officer. The Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché is both the diplomatically accredited defense attaché and the chief of the ; PolMil Officers sit under the Political section. Both contribute to products, but Chiefs own in-country and PolMil Officers do not.
References
SAMM
- SAMM C2.1.1.1 — Security Cooperation Organization.
- SAMM C2.1.1.2 — Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché.
- SAMM C2.1.2.1
- SAMM C2.1.2.2 — The Combatant Command.
- SAMM C5.1.2.1 — Requirements Development.
- SAMM C2.1.4.2 — Country Team Assessment.
- SAMM C5.7.5.3 — Country Team Assessment.
- SAMM C5.7.5.4 — Combatant Command Endorsement.
- SAMM C2.1.8.1 — General.
- SAMM C2.1.8.8 — Exceptional Circumstances.
- SAMM C2.1.5.6.1 — Golden Sentry.
- SAMM C5.1.1
- SAMM C5.1.5 — Country Team Assessment.
- SAMM C3.1.2 — Pre-Letter of Request Assessment Requests for Classified and Advanced Technology Release Decisions in Support of Security Cooperation Initiatives and Competitions.
- SAMM C2.1.8 — Security Cooperation Organization Support to Industry.
Public authorities
- Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, §515(a) (22 U.S.C. §2321i), Overseas management of assistance and sales programs — 22 U.S.C. §2321i
- DoD Directive 5205.75 DoD Operations at U.S. Embassies
Security Cooperation Organization (SCO)
A Department of Defense element that is part of the United States Diplomatic mission located in a foreign country to carry out security assistance and security cooperation management functions under the supervision and coordination authority of the senior defense official/defense attaché.
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
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
FMS — Foreign Military Sale
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
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
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
Chief of Mission (COM)
The principal officer in charge of a diplomatic facility of the United States, including any individual temporarily assigned to be in charge of such a facility.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
COM — Chief of Mission
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Country Team
The senior, in-country, U.S. coordinating and supervising body, headed by the chief of the U.S. diplomatic mission, and composed of the senior member of each represented U.S. department or agency, as desired by the chief of the U.S. diplomatic mission.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
EUM — End Use Monitoring
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Total Package Approach (TPA)
A means of ensuring that Foreign Military Sales customers are aware of and are given the opportunity to plan for and obtain needed support items, training, and services from the USG contractors, or from within the foreign country's resources which are required to introduce and operationally sustain major items of equipment or systems.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
LOR — Letter of Request
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
P&A — Price and Availability
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
LOA — Letter of Offer and Acceptance
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Request for Proposal (RFP)
A solicitation used in negotiated acquisitions to communicate government requirements to prospective contractors and to solicit a proposal.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
SAMM — Security Assistance Management Manual
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Glossary entry →Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM) →
Implementing Agency (IA)
The military department or defense agency responsible for the execution of military assistance programs. With respect to FMS, the military department or defense agency assigned responsibility by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to prepare an LOA and to implement an FMS case. The implementing agency is responsible for the overall management of the actions that will result in delivery of the materials or services set forth in the LOA that was accepted by a foreign country or international organization.
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) →
Country Team Assessment (CTA)
A USG coordinated position of senior U.S. embassy leadership that includes an assessment of a proposed transfer and provides key information necessary for USG evaluation. CTAs can be provided as published cables or dated memos on embassy letterhead and signed by a member of the country team.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
CTA — Country Team Assessment
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
DCS — Direct Commercial Sales
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026