The International Military Education and Training (IMET) program provides funds for international personnel to attend U.S. military professional training programs. The IMET program specifically targets current and future military and civilian leadership in African nations.

The overall objective of the IMET program is threefold: to further the goal of regional stability through effective, mutually beneficial military-to-military relations; to provide training that augment the capabilities of participant nations’ military forces; and to increase the ability of foreign military and civilian personnel to instill and maintain democratic values.

The IMET program exposes foreign students to U.S. professional military organizations and procedures and the manner in which military organizations function under civilian control. The program introduces students to elements of U.S. democracy such as the U.S. judicial system, legislative oversight, free speech, equality issues, and U.S. commitment to human rights. IMET’s mandatory English-language proficiency requirement establishes a baseline of communication skills for students to attend courses. Lastly, IMET training graduates fill key leadership positions in military of many African nations.