International Military Education and Training

International Military Education and Training (IMET) is the title of a United States security assistance program, a type of student exchange program. Congress established the IMET program in the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (Pub. L. No. 94-329, June 30, 1976), which amended the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (Pub. L. No. 87-195, Sept. 4, 1961). The policies underlying this program are directed by the United States Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and the constituent projects are administered by the United States Department of Defense. Projects under this program include, but are not limited to, invitations for officers from foreign countries to attend various military schools in the United States, such as the U.S. Army War College or the National Defense University, as well as providing funding for trainers to travel to foreign countries to provide specific, localized training. Topics of instruction are varied and range from English language classes to familiarization training with human rights concepts and the law of war. A complete list of topics varies by year, and may encompass several hundred distinct courses.