ALU International Military Student Office (IMSO)

Field Studies Program (FSP) Policies, Goal and Objective

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YOU CAN HELP - Field studies program event escorts - VOLUNTEER

In most cases the INTERNATIONAL Military Student Officer (IMSO) will serve as the primary escort for International Military Students (IMS) participating in an FSP event.
The IMSO is responsible for carefully preparing any additional escorts for their duties. – THAT CAN BE YOU
- Escorts must be knowledgeable about the Security Cooperation Education and Training (SCETP) in general and the FSP in particular. In addition, escorts should clearly understand and be able to articulate the objective(s) of the event in which they are participating.
- Escorts should have sufficient information to be able to answer some IMS questions, and to be able to carry on a conversation on the topic at hand. They should have a basic knowledge of U.S. government and history, particularly the Constitution, and of internationally recognized human rights.
- Escorts should be accustomed to working with IMS.
The recommended number of escorts for FSP trips will be one escort for every ten IMS.
If for any reason an IMS becomes incapacitated during an extended FSP trip, an escort will be designated to stay with the IMS and make the necessary change in travel arrangements for both of them to return to home station.

Field studies program policy

Each IMS attending military and selected contractor training in the United States for a period of four weeks or longer, or participating in an orientation tour arranged under SCETP sponsorship will be given the opportunity to participate in the FSP.
The FSP is an integral part of the total training program, and is second in importance only to the military objectives for which the IMS is in training.
Participation in FSP activities other than those that are integral parts of the course program of instruction is voluntary but highly encouraged.
The specific FSP objective to provide IMS with an awareness and understanding of the American democratic way of life has been derived from the laws authorizing the programs that make up the Security Assistance Training Program: the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 as amended, and the Arms Export Control Act as amended.
FSP implementation funds are included in course tuition rates. Funds cover transportation, meals, lodging, admissions, tours and associated fees and service charges.
Funds supporting the FSP shall not be expended to pay for alcoholic beverages or for activities that are substantially recreational, including but not limited to entrance fees at sporting events, theatrical and musical productions and amusement/theme parks.

Field studies program goal and specific objective

The goal of the FSP is to ensure that international students return to their homelands with an understanding of the responsibilities of governments, militaries, and citizens to protect, preserve, and respect the rights of every individual.
The FSP is developed and implemented with the specific objective of promoting an understanding of U.S. society, institutions, and ideals and the way in which these elements reflect U.S. commitment to basic principles of internationally recognized human rights.
To achieve this objective, the FSP provides students and visitors with an understanding of the following facets of American life, within the limits of time and availability:
Human Rights. U.S. commitment to basic principles of internationally recognized human rights as reflected in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 217 A (III), “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” and The Constitution of the United States of America. This aspect of American life shall be emphasized in conjunction with all subsequent FSP topics.
Diversity and American Life. How the United States fosters political, economic, and social pluralism; the geographic, religious, and social diversity of American life; progress in applying American ideals to ethnic minorities and women, including how they address gender-based violence. How American Families live and work in cities, towns and rural areas; how Americans function in communities, worship, work together in organizations, participate in and support cultural and historical events; the role of volunteerism in American life.
U.S. Government Institutions. U.S. institutions of democratic governance, including electoral and legislative processes and civilian control of the military, and the institution and improvement of public administration at the national, intergovernmental, state and local levels.
Political Processes. American democracy and political reform, including opening the political process to all members of society, the practice of free elections, freedom of association, and the influence of various governmental and non-governmental organizations that promote democracy, the rule of law, transparence, and accountability in the political process.
The Judicial System. The U.S. establishment of the rule of law and an effective judicial system, the role of the military justice system and its procedures, and the laws and institutions for addressing extremist violence and taking effective action to prosecute those who are alleged to have committed crimes.
The Free Market System. The success of the U.S. economy due to land and tax system reform, encouragement of private enterprise and individual initiative, creation of favorable investment climates, curbing corruption where it exists, and spurring balanced trade; the independent roles of labor and management in negotiating pay, working hours and conditions, and other benefits associated with employment; the factors underlying industry and agricultural production, and how environmental protection has altered each; and the role of environmental protection.
Education. The purpose and range of educational institutions, the value of an educated and responsible citizenry, and the educational opportunities available to all citizens.
Health and Human Services. The U.S. institutions that provide quality health care and voluntary Family planning services, housing, and other services, and the policies that are components of a social safety net, particularly for infants, children, and people with disabilities.
Media. The role of a free press and other communications media in American life; how diversity of media ensures people of all races, creeds and political persuasions can be heard (for example, editorials, letters to the editor) and ensures diverse, pluralistic culture.
International Peace & Security. How the United States accomplishes effective and mutually beneficial relations and increased understanding with foreign countries in furtherance of the goals of international peace and security.
Law of War. The part of international law that regulates the conduct of armed hostilities, often called the “law of armed conflict.” For the purposes of this facet, the law of war encompasses all international law for the conduct of hostilities binding on the United States or its individual citizens, including treaties and international agreements to which the United States is a part, and applicably customary international law.

Minimum requirements

The following minimum requirements and priorities are established. They are based upon the objectives of the program and the length of time students are at the installation/training activity location.

Letter Priority Order

A. Diversity & American Life

B. U.S. Government Institution or Political Processes or Judicial System

C. The Free Market System or Education

D. Health & Human Services or Media

E. International Peace & Security or Law of War

Student Availability Minimum FSP Event Requirement

Less than 4 weeks	- None required; include if feasible
4 to 7 weeks	- Priority A event
8 to 11 weeks	- Priority A event and Priority B event
12 to 15 weeks	- Priority A event and Priority B event and Priority C event
16 to 19 weeks	- Priority A event and Priority B event and Priority C event and Priority D event
20 weeks and over	- Priority A event, Priority B event, Priority C event, Priority D event& Priority E event

*For each additional 4 weeks, add another event, preferably focusing on a facet not previously covered

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-Examples of field studies program events –

We use this as a guide, programming actual events, visits after first considering local assets, conditions and other means that could be employed to meet the same objectives, including guest speakers.

Human rights. This topic is to be emphasized in all FSP events. Specific human rights-related events include museums and monuments such as the Holocaust Museum, Andersonville Prison, and institutions that focus on civil rights.
Diversity & American Life. The Sponsorship Program provides many opportunities within this topic. Other Possibilities include:

Exposing IMS to ethnic, religious and other minority groups in order to give the students an idea of the challenges and opportunities for these groups.
Local community organizations offer many opportunities for IMS observation and participation. For example, some IMS have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.
IMS should be invited to participate in typically American celebrations such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day, and other special emphasis programs, preferably with his/her sponsor.
Students should be given a balanced picture of religion in America, to include the vast array of religious institutions which exist as a result of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. IMS should be offered an opportunity to visit houses of worship of various religious denominations.
Trips to local, state and national parks, and national monuments demonstrate the care Americans have taken to preserve and commemorate our history and preserve the natural environment.

U.S. Government Institutions. The IMSO must become familiar with elected and appointed officials at all governmental levels in order to plan events around this topic.

Local government. The IMSO should introduce IMS to agencies and principal personnel of local government at the city, township or county level at the earliest opportunity. Students may be formally presented to local officials and provided a certificate of honorary citizenship. One purpose of such an introduction is to make the point that local government officials are locally elected and responsible, within broad limits, to local people rather than to the central authorities. IMS should also meet appointed officials and learn how elected and appointed personnel work together.
State government: IMS should be taken to the state capital to be presented to the Governor and/or other officials, and to have an opportunity to observe selected operations of the state government. One purpose of this visit, like those outlined above, is to stress the autonomy of state governments and the independence of governors and state legislatures. Where possible, the state Supreme Court should also be included in such visits.
Federal government: IMS should meet the member of Congress from the district where the training site is located, and become familiar with the basics of the American form of government. This is especially important for those students who will participate in the DC Field Trip.

Political processes. IMS should gain a basic understanding of the electoral process in the >United States. They should be able to observe candidates campaigning for office and the voting process.
- An understanding of the “grass roots” character of the American political party organization is best gained by bringing IMS in touch with representatives of the political parties in order to give them some idea of the problems of local party organizations, the means by which candidates are chosen, the use of publicity and other means to gain support, and the relationships between local and national party organizations.
- The IMSO should arrange for IMS to talk with leaders of opposition parties, preferably office holders rather than party workers. Such a visit should be designed to show students the nature of the “loyal” opposition in this country, that its leaders perform official duties and have official status and that the parties in power and opposition are in fact more united than divided on most of the basic problems facing American society.
The Judicial System. Arrangements should be made for visits to jails and detention centers and our municipal, state and federal courts, as well as meetings with officials of these facilities, who should describe the functions and responsibilities of these institutions and the rights of prisoners and defendants under our judicial system.
The Free Market System. The following types of trips are designed to suggest the scope and diversity of American business enterprise:
- Visits to industrial enterprises should be designed to give IMS an idea of the range of different kinds of industrial enterprises in the American economy, including dams and hydroelectric facilities, local affiliates of large national corporations, and smaller, locally-owned industries. Company officials should be encouraged to discuss decision-making procedures in the fields of product research and development (R&D), production scheduling, marketing and cost controls, and the character and effect of governmental controls over operations.
- Visits to banks, Savings and Loan Associations, Federal Housing Administration offices and agricultural cooperative credit facilities emphasize the range and ease of credit facilities available to the average American.
- Visits to local brokerage houses and discussions with stockbrokers emphasize the principles on which American financial investment is based and the procedures through which it is undertaken.
- Visits to large transportation centers for rail, air, water, truck or pipeline give IMS an opportunity to discuss the problems of management, maintenance, scheduling, and interconnection with transport officials.
- In addition to putting interested IMS in touch with local union officials, tours to regional and national headquarters will serve the useful purpose of emphasizing the scope of such organizations, the objectives of their leadership, and their political and financial independence. In addition, students should be introduced to plant union officials during visits to industrial plants.
- The IMSO should arrange tours to farms to show IMS American agriculture. It may be advisable to match the interests and regional background of students with certain specialized types of farming operations in the vicinity.
- Marketing procedures, facilities, farm loans, and the type of aid farmers receive from federal, state and other agricultural services in combating pests and diseases, controlling breeding stock should be emphasized.
- Trips to agricultural experiment stations will permit IMS to view development of new and hybrid plants, animal and fish stock, experiments in controlling local soil conditions, pests and diseases, etc. Emphasis should be placed on the financing of the station and the means it uses to make information available to farmers.
Education.
- Visits to nearby schools and colleges should show IMS the general availability of education, school laboratories and research facilities, extension course programs, agricultural experimental stations and cultural activities such as symphony performances, drama workshops, etc. College and university area study and exchange programs will be of special interest to IMS. These visits should emphasize the role of U.S. schools and universities - to teach and learn, not to function as political instruments - and to show the diversity of our educational institutions, including privately endowed colleges, state or city colleges, land grant universities, junior colleges and church-affiliated institutions.
- Arrangements should be made for IMS to speak to classes at local elementary and secondary schools, answer student questions, meet with administrators and faculty, eat lunch in the cafeteria and observe and participate in other school-related events.
Health and Human Services.
- IMSO should arrange visits to publicly supported housing, assisted living facilities and/or housing supported by religious or other organizations in order to demonstrate the way in which the elderly and less fortunate are cared for in American society.
- Visits to a Red Cross or other disaster relief facility would be of value in demonstrating how Americans contribute time and money to mitigate the effects of disasters.
- Visits to public health agencies such as clinics, welfare agencies, national and state employment services and the local Social Security Office will give the students an overall picture of the social service facilities available in the U.S.
Media. Visits to media offices should be arranged in order to emphasize how a free press works and the ways in which editors, publishers, and owners define their responsibilities to the public. While radio and TV stations and the printing plants of newspapers are interesting from a technical point of view, discussions with media management and news-gathering personnel are critical to understanding freedom of the press. A discussion of the various points of view expressed in letters to the editor of the local newspaper could be useful.
International Peace and Security. IMS training at installations near Mexico or Canada can be taken to border control checkpoints and meet with officials involved in immigration issues. Meetings with local officials and citizens involved in Sister City Programs with foreign cities can be instructive, as can meetings with groups involved in the peace movement. Visits to Model United Nations events at local schools can be helpful, as can guest speakers from nearby universities.
Law of War. The IMSO can arrange for the IMS to participate in discussion with judges, lawyers, and scholars with expertise in the Law of War, Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, and other International Treaties.