Location

U.S. Army School of the Americas, Ft. Benning, GA

Scope¹

"Prepares field grade officers for duty as commanders and general staff officers in their respective armed forces. Course is taught in Spanish at the School of the Americas (SOA) and is attended by students from Latin America and the United States. Curriculum is similar to that offered at Fort Leavenworth and awards full military education credit. Training focuses on teaching staff operating procedures, management techniques and resource management concepts, combined arms tactics, logistical support operations, strategic student and analysis [sic.], and internal defense operations. The curriculum contains elective material which can be adapted to the professional needs and interests of each student and includes topics in the following areas: U.S. government, internal defense and development, mathematics, military history, logistics, management, or computer operations. The course also introduces students to leadership principles and ethics, human rights awareness issues, and professional/personal values and standards as they apply to enlisted members, fellow officers, civil service employees, the U.S. Armed Forces, and the nation. The broad regional focus of the course is accentuated by a guest lecture program featuring U.S. Ambassadors to Latin America, members of the U.S. Congress, U.S. and Latin American flag rank officers, and Assistant Secretaries of State and Defense. Annually, SOA invites prominent journalists to CGSC students to meet media personalities and provide an interactive forum to discuss and debate controversial issues. This demonstrates the operation of a free press, and clearly illustrates the sensitivity and seriousness with which the U.S. public regards efforts to suppress or infringe upon First Amendment freedoms. Panels of distinguished scholars scheduled throughout the year provide additional fora for the exchange of ideas and perceptions regarding contemporary political, social and economic issues. Additionally, cultural orientation programs of the United States are conducted during which the students visit major military installations, service schools and Washington DC. A concerted effort has been made to develop an extensive human rights awareness training program for the CGSC students that currently includes approximately 200 hours of human rights instruction."

Source:

¹ United States, Defense Security Assistance Agency, Expanded IMET Handbook, (Washington: February 14, 1997) I-11-12.

See also the similarly-worded course description from School of the Americas web page.