Schoolhouse Hub

Security Governance and Civil-Military Relations addresses all aspects of the relationship between elected civilians and security institutions (armed forces, police forces, and intelligence agencies) in a democratic context. CMR offers courses, seminars, and workshops that address a variety of potential challenges and avenues for success in institutionalizing effective and functioning civil-military relations.

The Conflict, Terrorism, and Protection (CTP) functional area at ISG contributes expertise to educational courses and advising projects. Content areas include the causes and triggers of conflict and the full spectrum of conflict management from prevention to various types of warfare to conflict resolution and governmental/societal recovery. CTP activities help governments gain an actionable understanding of conflict dynamics and approaches to building capabilities and strategies to avoid or prevail in these situations. CTP possesses particular expertise in ethnic and religious identity conflict, combating terrorism and counterinsurgency, security and borders, and humanitarian issues in the midst of conflict such as protection of civilians and conflict-induced displacement. Some CTP courses are offered in support of the Regional Defense Fellowship Program (RDFP). Multi-sectoral teams comprised of ISG faculty, adjunct subject matter experts, and field specialists lead these practitioner-oriented activities.

Maritime Security (MARSEC) courses provide participants with the tools required to prevent and respond to a myriad of maritime security threats and challenges. MARSEC courses introduce and explore—at the strategic and operational levels—best practices, and innovative solutions to address common challenges. Examples include understanding transnational maritime threats; integrating civil, military, and law enforcement agencies with maritime security responsibilities; and leveraging regional and other international governmental and non-governmental resources. Our approach includes expert-led lectures; case studies, risk assessment, maritime governance, strategy development and Tabletop (TTX) classroom exercises, a visit to a local U.S. Coast Guard station, and emphasis on interagency and multi-national solutions.

The Emergency Management and Resilience (EM&R) functional area designs and delivers comprehensive, whole-of-government courses and engagements for all-hazards emergency preparedness, resilience, and response. Courses and engagements aim to enhance civil-military cooperation, build national resilience and capacity in emergency preparedness, and apply a comprehensive approach to emergency management that includes civilian government, military, and civil sector stakeholders, as well as the receipt and management of international disaster assistance. These national-level leader and planner-oriented courses are led by teaching teams comprised of ISG faculty, multi-disciplinary subject matter experts, and field practitioners. 

The Peacekeeping and Exercises (PKX) functional area helps build sustainable and indigenous peacekeeping training capacities in U.S. partner countries so they can better contribute to United Nations (UN) and other regional peacekeeping operations. ISG PKX particularly concentrates on the establishment and strengthening of partner countries’ training capacity and staff. These activities pertain to both military troops and formed police units. In addition, these events help to enhance coordination and collaboration between the U.S. and other contributor countries’ assistance efforts, to include providing support to deploying units (e.g., exercises, technical assistance and pre-deployment training).

Designed to build partner capacity and capability, ISG cyber courses explore policies and practices that can be adapted to maintain an advantage over actors who seek to exploit, disrupt, or damage the networks and systems upon which our societies and militaries depend. This functional area highlights the importance of effective cyber defense for economic growth and innovation, examines barriers to effective policy and practice development, and considers methods for response that represent a comprehensive approach for cyber defense. ISG cyber courses prepare decision makers to more effectively analyze, design, and implement policies and practices for safeguarding national cyberspace. These courses are delivered in partnership leading defense and civilian educational entities.

International Defense Acquisition Resource Management (IDARM) activities are designed to strengthen defense acquisition decision-making, and help nations understand and adopt modern business practices. IDARM offers a wide range of courses focused on defense acquisition, contract management and negotiations, and defense project management. Courses can cover a combination of interrelated subjects, with the goal of offering defense leaders the opportunity to explore strategic issues which must be addressed in order to improve their nation’s defense acquisition business practices. Course offerings are developed in conjunction with faculty and specialized subject matter experts and tailored to the specific government organizational structures, national acquisition statutes and regulations, and defense acquisition objectives of the partner nation.

The Logistics Capability Building (LCB) functional area works with participants to increase the professionalization of their logistics forces to better sustain defense and security force capabilities. LCB activities are designed to support participants’ efforts to better assess their logistics requirements and implement the lessons learned within the unique context of their nation. Emphasis is placed on the necessity to integrate other institutional capabilities such as strategy, policy, and plans, human resource management, and resource management. Learning methodologies include case study presentations, lectures, small group exercises/activities, and structured discussions.