The QDDR addresses the interdependency of diplomacy,
defense, and development, including, as a strategic priority,
the “building of dynamic organizations” with an agile, skilled
workforce that can effectively advance U.S. interests in “a world
of complex threats, dynamic opportunities, and diffuse power.”
According to the QDDR, such a workforce is “more flexible
and diverse, enabling our people to move between positions
and agencies, and in and out of government, as needed”.5 DoS
and USAID are looking to invest in training diversity and
leadership in order to accomplish this objective, including
participation in such programs as USAID’s Civilian Military
Cooperation Training and long-term training opportunities at
DoD institutions. Short-term DATE training at JRTC provides
other federal government agencies additional opportunities for
professional development with a distinctly whole-of-government approach.
Training at the JRTC replicates real-world environments,
including towns and villages; consulates, embassies, and country
teams; host nation government, military, and police officials;
nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations; and
hostile military, insurgent, and opposition elements. Subject
matter experts create training scenarios that consist of scripted
events and “free play,” designed to facilitate specific training
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objectives. A cadre of trained observers monitor all activities
to ensure the safe and effective conduct of all events and interaction, while also providing valuable feedback to participants
about their training-related actions. Our role-players include
cultural experts and former/retired subject matter experts
such as former ambassadors, deputy chiefs of mission, consular
officers, and public diplomacy officers; chiefs of station and case
officers; regional security officers; USAID experts; and professionals who have worked abroad with the Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe and the United Nations,
among others.
The JRTC interagency strategy encourages training participants to consider the most effective methods and frameworks
for interagency-military engagement. Rotational units work
with the interagency to prevent and resolve conflicts, counter
insurgencies, and create a safe and secure environments for local
populations. This training also helps to strengthen participants’
capacity to anticipate crisis and conflict, prevent mass atrocities,
and respond to emergency governance problems. It is a proven,
time-tested training environment, and those individuals from
DoS, FBI, and DS who have participated in previous DATE
rotations emphasize the value of the JRTC approach to their
professional development.