Fort Benning
U.S. Army Fort Benning and The Maneuver Center of Excellence
199th Infantry Brigade Site
International Military Student Office (IMSO)
History
Foreign Military Badge
International Military Students (IMS) who graduate from the US Army Service Schools are awarded an appropriate badge from that school signifying their accomplishment. This badge may be worn on their official uniform. Students that graduate from a Maneuver Captain's Career Course (MCCC) will receive the US Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Crest, emblazoned with “One Force One Fight", signifying their successful completion of training at the US Army Maneuver Center of Excellence. The Foreign Military badge has been presented to International Military Students for over sixty years and is proudly worn by many senior leaders in their countries today.
Armor School IMSO
The history of the International Military Student Office (IMSO) dates back to 1942 when the first officers from allied nations began Armor and Cavalry training with U.S. officers at Fort Knox. In 1950 Fort Knox established the International Military Student Office. The mission of the IMSO was to render academic and administrative assistance to the International military Students that were selected to attend courses at Fort Knox. The IMSO was to also conduct programs to acquaint the International Military Students with American military and civilian social and home life. Today the International Military Student Office has processed over 8500 International Military Students representing over 100 different countries and serves as the focal point at the Armor School for all matters pertaining to International Military Students and their families. This includes in/out processing, resolving issues and family member support. The International Military Student Office also implements the Department of Defense Field Studies Program. Educational activities are conducted to enhance a balanced understanding of U.S. society, ideas, institutions and commitment to internationally recognized human rights. In 2005 with the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission. The Armor Center and School have relocated to Fort Benning to merge with the Infantry Center and form the Maneuver Center of Excellence. On 11 May 2011, the International Student Training Detachment (ISTD), 199th Infantry BDE of Ft Benning and the International Military Student Office (IMSO), US Army Armor Center of Fort Knox were merged under C Co. 3-81 AR, 199th IN BDE. Today International military students will continue to train in over 25 Armor and Infantry Courses throughout the Maneuver Center of Excellence, at Ft Benning GA.
Infantry School ISTD
The History of International Student Training Detachment (ISTD) dates back to the years following World War I. Officers from allied nations began Infantry Training at Fort Benning with U.S. Officers in 1921. The needs of these allied officers and their families were taken care of by voluntary personnel within the Student Brigade. It wasn't until 1949 that Fort Benning established the Allied Liaison Section, led by a staff section chief of the Student Brigade. Later, the Allied Liaison Section came under the office of the Director of Instruction, U.S. Army Infantry School. The mission of the section was to render academic and administrative assistance to allied students selected to attend Courses of Instructions at Fort Benning and to conduct programs designed to acquaint the students with American military and civilian social and home life. The section also introduced allied soldiers to local business practices. Members of the Staff and Faculty were encouraged to take a personal interest in the welfare of the allied students and their families. The Allied Liaison Section annually processed 300 students representing 35 different nations for training at the Infantry School. The Allied Liaison Section evolved into this unit, which has been known as the International Student Training Detachment since 1988. Today, the detachment operates under the Department of Defense, Security Assistance Training Program. Every year the International Student Training Detachment processes 470-500 officers and Noncommissioned Officers, representing 110 nations. The officers, NCOs, and soldiers of IMSO are tasked with the mission: To advise the United States Army Infantry School Command and Staff on all areas of the Security Assistance Training Program and Foreign Military Training. In-process and out-process International Military Students. Resolve their academic, administrative, logistical, and personal problems. Monitor training and coordinate their follow-on training. Conduct the Department of Defense Informational Program.