Reaching Out

any of the more than 13,000 people who have studied at the Marshall Center since 1948 have since assumed influential positions in their countries' governments. The center is having a profound effect on the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Defense officials say.

Mission

• To serve as an international forum for defense contacts to share ideas vital to European security.
• To promote regional cooperation, incorporating the principles of democracy and conditions for market economies, and strengthen ties among democratic nations.
• To assist Partnership for Peace Nations-the 26 emerging democracies with which the United States and NATO are forming cooperative relationships-in their efforts to establish national security structures and institutions compatible with democratic principles, establish civilian oversight of the military and foster market economies.

Programs

• Defense and Security Studies Program
  The center offers three courses for foreign affairs and defense officials from Europe and Eurasia: a two-week senior executive course for parliamentarians, general officers and their civilian equivalents; a 15-week executive course for colonels, lieutenant colonels and civilian equivalents; and a nine-week leadership course for majors and captains and civilian equivalents.
• Conference Center Programs
  The center organizes 16 conferences every year on a range of security-related topics.
• Research Program.
  The center sponsors and conducts interdisciplinary international research projects; maintains contacts and research networks throughout Europe, Russia and Eurasia; and publishes scholarly works.
• Foreign Area Officer Program
  Through an intensive 18-month training program, the center prepares U.S. and NATO military officers for key assignments in Europe, Russia and Eurasia.
• Foreign Language Training Center
  The center offers specialized instruction in nine languages for military and civilian linguists.