The primary purpose of the Security Cooperation Workforce (SCW) Certification 2.0 Program is to establish a framework to guide Department of Defense (DOD) security cooperation professional development. A second purpose is to provide a consistent, disciplined mechanism to ensure National Defense Strategy (NDS) objectives are achieved through appropriate education, training, and development in nine functional areas.
The most significant changes embodied in Certification 2.0 include completely new, enhanced curriculum and a requirement to properly code SCW positions in manpower systems of record to reflect these enhancements. The following changes were also made:
Implementation of the NDS, especially integrated deterrence with allies and partners, will not be possible without a fully professionalized workforce. - NDS Implementation Report
The Certification 2.0 Program, an element of the DOD Security Cooperation Workforce Development Program (SCWDP) prescribed by 10 U.S.C. § 384, is required to ensure DOD personnel assigned to statutorily defined Security Cooperation Workforce (SCW) positions have the SCW competency-based training and experience necessary to carry out assigned Security Cooperation responsibilities.
The authoritative document defining Certification 2.0 requirements is the Interim Implementation Guidelines for the DOD Security Cooperation Workforce Program 2.0. There will be a forthcoming update to DoD Instruction (DoDI) 5132.15, "Implementation of the Security Cooperation Workforce Certification Program," dated May 7, 2021.
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Now is the appropriate time to build on the foundation of the past to continue the professionalization of the security cooperation workforce. Certification 2.0 is more academically robust, more effectively aligns security cooperation competencies to functional areas, and fulfills the intent of NDAA 2017 and 10 U.S.C. 384. - James A. Hursch, DSCA Director
As directed in the NDS and by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Director, the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) initiated a rolling start of Certification 2.0 on September 30, 2023. The first year of implementation (September 30, 2023 – September 30, 2024) is a transition period in which completion deadlines will not apply.
SCW members should familiarize themselves with the Certification 2.0 program, ensure their positions are coded in manpower systems of record referencing the Security Cooperation Position Coding Guide, and identify their assigned functional areas and certification proficiency levels.
The Certification 2.0 Proficiency-Level Waiver Request process allows position owners to propose upgrades and downgrades to prescribed proficiency-levels of positions within the SCW. Additionally, Certification 2.0 Waiver Process Map illustrates the waiver process, and the Action Memo must be completed by the position owners to recommend and route a proficiency-level waiver.
Registration for some DSCU Certification 2.0 courses has begun and SCW members can find available courses on the DSCU Course Catalog. Due to capacity, demand, and instructor availability some course dates will not be available immediately, but core courses and some distance learning options are available.
DSCU created the Certification 2.0 Registration Fact Sheet to assist with course registration. The document details important information about SC Codes, myDSCU accounts, how to register for classes and certification timelines. The fact sheet will direct SCW members to the DSCU Course Catalog, and will aid in course registration according to a billet’s SC Code and proficiency level requirements.
