Accreditation Of Education and Training

In February 2018, the U.S. Army War College (USAWC) in cooperation with the U.S. Secretary of Education, and the Council for Higher Education reached a collective agreement relevant to physical security services education and training produced by private military companies supporting federal government contracts.

By determination of the US Army Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), physical security services and tactical education produced by Private Military Companies (PMCs) on behalf of the government, the same shall be conditionally accredited by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education pursuant to the following:

(a). Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 3020.50. *DoDI 3020.50 PDF

• • Requirement: PMCs must ensure personnel meet all legal, training, and qualification requirements for authorization to carry weapons and perform security functions.
  • Training Content: Includes weapons familiarization, rules for the use of force, law of war, cultural awareness, and compliance with DoD and contract-specific standards.
  • Verification: PMCs must document and verify training, and comply with DoD-approved business and operational standards (such as ISO 18788 or ANSI/ASIS PSC.1).

(b) Department of Defense Regulations | 32 CFR Part 159 – ‘Private Security Contractors Operating In Contingency Operations, Humanitarian, or Peace Operations’ (Amended 01/17/2025). 

• • Establishes policy and procedures for the selection, accountability, training, equipping, and conduct of private security contractors working with the DoD. *Click to view.

  • Requires PMCs to meet or exceed U.S. military standards for training, vetting, and operational conduct.

(c). Joint Publication (JP) 4-04, ‘Contingency Basing’, 04 January 2019. 1. https://irp.fas.org/doddir/dod/jp4_04.pdf 

(d). JP 4-10; ‘Operational Contract Support’ effective 16 July 2014. 2. https://edocs.nps.edu/2014/July/jp4_10.pdf

(e). JP 4-05, Joint Mobilization Planning, 23 October 2018. 3. https://irp.fas.org/doddir/dod/jp4_05.pdf

(d). DoDI 3305.14, August 18, 2015, Incorporating Change 1 on May 17, 2018. 3. https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/330514p.pdf

(e). As authorized by Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction 1800.01D (Change 1, 2011) and as amended 03 December 2018. 4. https://armyuniversity.edu/schoolfiles/caso/2011_CJCSI_1800.01D_Ch1_OPMEP.pdf 

(f). US Army Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction 1800.01D, September 15, 2011 (Amended May 29, 2015). – Instructions, Manuals, and Notices

• • CJCSI 1800.01D outlines the policies and procedures necessary for the development, accreditation, and oversight of PME and JPME programs. It assigns responsibilities to the Joint Staff, National Defense University, military services, and other relevant institutions.
  • Accreditation and Oversight:
    The instruction details the process for the designation and accreditation of all elements of JPME (including Phase I, Phase II, and CAPSTONE), ensuring that programs meet established standards and learning objectives. *https://armyuniversity.edu/schoolfiles/caso/2011_CJCSI_1800.01D_Ch1_OPMEP.pdf (Ref. page 3)

International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC): *The Code – ICoCA – International Code of Conduct Association.  Voluntary principles and oversight mechanisms for responsible conduct, which some U.S. PMCs follow to meet international expectations.

USAWC Disclaimer

The United States government does not issue an official certification, diploma, permit or a license to private sector entities providing tactical education and training for commercial purposes. Accreditation and approval of tactical education and training produced, delivered and sold to federal government agencies merit approval in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARs), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs), US DoD Instructions, and Memorandums of Understanding as cited by reference:

Technical References:

US DoD Instruction 3020.41. “Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany the U.S. Armed Forces, October 3, 2005. Under the authority of Section 133 of title 10, United States Code and Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum, this Instruction establishes and implements policy and guidance, assigns responsibilities, and serves as a comprehensive source of DoD policy and procedures concerning DoD contractor personnel authorized to accompany the U.S.

Armed Forces. This includes defense contractors and employees of defense contractors and their subcontractors at all tiers under DoD contracts, including third country national (TCN) and host nation (HN) personnel, who are authorized to accompany the U.S. Armed Forces under such contracts.

• • • Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation, 12.402 paragraph 52.212-4, is based upon the assumption that the Government will rely on the contractor’s assurances that the commercial item tendered for acceptance conforms to the contract requirements.
    • Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation,12.404 Warranties. (a) Implied warranties. The governments post award rights contained in 52.212-4 are the implied warranty of merchantability, the implied warranty of fitness for particular purpose and the remedies contained in the acceptance paragraph. (1) (…provides that an item is reasonably fit for the ordinary purposes for which such items are used).
    • Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation, 12.404 paragraph 2 (ii), The Government relied upon the contractor’s skill and judgment that the item would be appropriate for that particular purpose. Coalition Provisional Authority Regulation ORD 27, Section II-IV and Memorandum 17}

.