Zach Nunn: “I am puzzled concerning the objections to the use of Military-to-Military Contacts Program funds for international…”

“I am puzzled concerning the objections to the use of Military-to-Military Contacts Program funds for international military education and training [IMET]. The Armed Services Committee is told each year by the commanders in chief of the combatant commands that IMET is the United States' most cost effective program in terms of fostering friendly relations with the foreign militaries. The combatant commanders routinely point out that foreign military officers who have received IMET training come to appreciate American values and the American way of life and that these foreign officers often rise to assume senior positions of leadership within their military and civilian hierarchies. Pursuant to this testimony, the Armed Services Committee in the Department of Defense Authorization Act for fiscal years 1992 and 1993 specifically authorized the creation of a CINC Initiative Fund to carry out eight types of activities, including military education and training to military and related civilian personnel of foreign countries. The CINC Initiative Fund is designed to provide funding for activities that were not foreseen when the budget request was submitted to Congress and that would enhance the war fighting capability, readiness, and sustainability of the forces assigned to the commander requesting the funds. In the years since this authority was created, the CINC Initiative Fund has only been used to provide IMET on a few occasions.”