MANDATORY TRAINING FOR AFGHANISTAN SERVICE

UNCLAS STATE 101519 FOR MANAGEMENT OFFICERS: THIS TELEGRAM SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL FULL-TIME USG AMERICAN EMPLOYEES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: APER AMGT SUBJECT: MANDATORY TRAINING FOR AFGHANISTAN SERVICE OCTOBER 2009 ¶1. SUMMARY: American employees of all USG agencies who are preparing for assignments or temporary duty in Afghanistan should review the following mandatory training requirements, which are effective October 1, ¶2009. Employees must complete the training required for their assignments before traveling to Afghanistan; no exceptions will be allowed, except in very limited and specific circumstances. End Summary ¶2. In addition to the current mandatory Foreign Affairs Counter Threat course (OT610),additional courses are now mandatory for all USG employees under Chief of Mission Authority who are assigned to Afghanistan, effective October 1, 2009. Country Wide: RS 415: Afghanistan Familiarization Course NB: Students taking long-term Pashtu and Dari language training are also enrolled in Afghanistan Area Studies (RS416),which fulfills this requirement. Field Assignments: AR 421: Afghanistan PRT Orientation Course RS 510: Civil-Military Practical (Camp Atterbury,IN) ¶3. Foreign Affairs Counter Threat Course (OT610): All U.S. citizen personnel under Chief of Mission authority who expect to spend 30 cumulative days or more in Afghanistan, regardless of agency, are required to complete the one-week Foreign Affairs Counter Threat Course as a condition for country clearance. Exceptions: those who have completed OT610 within the last five years are not required to repeat the course. ¶4. Afghanistan Familiarization Course(RS415): In addition, all incoming U.S. citizen personnel who are assigned to Afghanistan under Chief of Mission authority and due to arrive after October 1, 2009, regardless of agency, are required to complete the one-week Afghanistan Familiarization Course as a condition for country clearance. Any exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the Assistant Ambassador with the concurrence of the office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (S/SRAP) and documented in a memorandum noting the rationale for the changes signed by the approving official. ¶5. Training for Personnel Assigned to Field Positions(AR 421 and RS 510): All U.S. citizen personnel who are assigned to work in or with Afghanistan Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) or other field assignments under COM authority and due to arrive after October 1, 2009, regardless of agency, are required to complete the following additional one-week courses as a condition for country clearance: - Afghanistan PRT Orientation Course (AR 421) - Civil-Military Course (RS 510) conducted at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Any exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the Assistant Chief of Mission with the concurrence of S/SRAP and documented in a memorandum noting the rationale for the changes signed by the approving official. ¶6. All training costs will be the responsibility of the employing agency. The State Department Office of Orientation and In-Processing (OIP) will assist in arranging training for all USG employees. OIP will also certify to post that the appropriate training has been completed before employees travel. For questions, please contact OIPAfghanistanorientation@state.gov. ¶7. Minimize Considered. CLINTON