The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation History
History, January 2001 to January 2013
The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation opened its doors on January 17, 2001, with Colonel Richard D. Downie as the first Commandant. The Institute was located in Ridgway Hall, which had originally been the home of the Army’s Infantry School and headquarters of Fort Benning.
Col. Downie, with his staff and faculty, developed a range of courses that supported the security cooperation plans of the Department of Defense and of the U.S. Southern Command.
In March 2004, Col. Gilberto Perez took the reins as commandant, serving for more than four years. Col. Pérez led the Institute in its transformation of the CGSOC to match the instructional model of the Command and General Staff College at the Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (WHINSEC’s higher headquarters).
Fort Benning began its transition to the Maneuver Center of Excellence in 2008, and the changes required the Institute to move out of Ridgway Hall. Col. Felix Santiago became commandant in July, 2008, and managed the Institute’s move to temporary quarters in Collins, Lewis and Greene Halls, with modular buildings to house classrooms. During Col. Santiago’s tenure, the Institute re-organized its teaching departments into three components: The School of Professional Military Education, the School of Specialized Studies, and the Roy Benavidez NCO Academy.
On 8 July, 2010, COL Glenn R. Huber, Jr., assumed command of WHINSEC and began preparing the Institute for its second decade of service to the US Army, DoD and the nations of the Western Hemisphere. A permanent academic complex for all of WHINSEC’s components was selected on the site of the historic Fort Benning Station Hospital. These facilities will feature a state-of-the-art academic environment with 21st Century classrooms. Renovation began in 2011, and by the end of 2012 the Amos Library, Staff and Faculty Development Division, Language Lab, Translation Division, and the Engagement Skills Trainer had moved into two of the buildings.
WHINSEC maintains a culture of respect for the nations of our hemisphere, celebrating the Independence anniversaries of each with a ceremony and a toast to the nation. An annual “Festival of the Hemisphere” includes expositions of folklore, food and drinks of the countries present. In addition, WHINSEC’s instructors and students share their nations’ cultures with elementary, middle and high school students during cultural expositions at local schools.
In its 12 years of service, WHINSEC men and women have trained and educated almost 16,000 students—military, law enforcement and civilian—representing 34 countries.
WHINSEC continues to enhance the capabilities of security forces and ministries of our home, the Americas, with a vision that anticipates strong interagency collaboration and new regional—perhaps even global—partnerships.
¡Libertad, Paz y Fraternidad!
