Summary: In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the International Military Education and Training (IMET) Program to determine whether the Departments of State and Defense: (1) complied with program policies and procedures; and (2) met the U.S. foreign policy objective of exposing IMET trainees to U.S. values, including human rights.
GAO found that IMET program management lacked: (1) procedures for reviewing new training requirements added after programs were approved at training workshops; (2) a system for evaluating the program's success; (3) guidelines for monitoring the use of IMET graduates; and (4) the ability to ensure that IMET funds were efficiently and effectively used. GAO also found that U.S. and foreign military officials agreed that the IMET program was valuable because it: (1) enhanced the military-to-military relationship needed to address U.S. foreign policy objectives; (2) provided reciprocal training to U.S. personnel and promoted democratization; (3) provided weapon system sales opportunities for U.S. industry; (4) improved the overall professionalism of the recipient nation's military; and (5) enhanced understanding of U.S. military doctrine and technology.
