New State/Defense personnel exchange agreement reached

On January 19 the Department of State announced a new Memorandum of Understanding on Non-Reimbursable Exchange of Personnel with the Department of Defense.  This agreement is intended to increase cooperation between the two agencies, and establishes the most significant formal exchange of personnel between the two departments in history.

The personnel exchange agreement formalizes the reciprocal exchange of personnel between State and Defense, and will be especially beneficial in the budgeting and planning processes.  The number of Defense personnel assigned to positions within the State Department has grown from 50 to 98, and the number of diplomats serving in the Foreign Policy Advisor (POLAD) program has risen as well.  The increase in personnel exchanges between departments offers more opportunities for both State and Defense personnel to gain greater understanding of the shared missions of the two agencies, and furthers their ability to collaborate effectively in support of U.S. national security.

For more information about the new personnel exchange agreement, please follow the link below.
New Personnel Exchange Agreement Reached Between State and Defense, U.S. Department of State