Reserve Officer Foreign Exchange Program Background
INFORMATION PAPER
ISSUE: RESERVE OFFICERS EXCHANGE PROGRAM (ROEP)
BACKGROUND:
The primary purpose of the Department of Defense Reserve Officers
Foreign Exchange Program is to provide National Guard and Reserve
officers training associated with mobilization duties while enhancing
their ability to work and communicate with the military individuals
of the host nation. This program provides the opportunity for
Reserve officers to complete annual training pertinent to their
mobilization assignment while they gain an understanding of the
training, doctrine and operations of a major alliance partner.
DoD Directive 1215.15 provides authority for the program.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs)
initiated the Reserve Officer exchange with a memorandum of understanding
negotiated between the German Ministry of Defense (1985), and
with the UK Ministry of Defense (1989). The first German exchange,
in 1985, involved seven officers from each nation. This number
increased to fifteen in 1986 and has stabilized at approximately
twenty per year since 1987. However, there are no limitations
in the DoD directive to the size of the exchanges. An exchange
may be developed with any country allied to the United States.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs)
establishes policy and oversight for the program and interfaces
with the participating nations’ defense ministries. The Reserve
components are each responsible for administration of the program
for their Reservists. The Reserve components select highly qualified
officers for participation in the program. Each Reserve component
identifies a host Reserve unit where a visiting Reserve officer
will find substantial, high-quality training opportunities related
to their military specialties.
Costs for participating in the program are generally limited
to additional expenses related to traveling OCONUS. The Reserve
components may use funds normally allocated for annual training
to pay an individual’s salary. Shared costs for the program depend
upon the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding established
between the respective nations.
Reserve officers who participate in the exchange program receive
valuable training, which they are able to share with their home
units. They gain an appreciation of allied Reserve forces, which
facilitates an effective working relationship with those forces
upon mobilization.
As our forces withdraw from their forward presence missions,
the opportunities to establish personal and professional relationships
between the Reserves of the respective nations is significantly
reduced. Programs like this maintain the health of our military
relationships and enhance our understanding of each other’s Reserve
components and the alliances we collectively serve.
OFFICE SYMBOL: OASD/RA (RTM)
|