How can I form a partnership between my University and the French Military Academy?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 02:10:10 -0500

I am looking into creating a partnership between my university and the French Military Academy to study there for one semester. It's usually reserved for USMA Cadets but it would be interesting with my background.

I am working with my cadre but we are in the dark for that one.
Does anyone know where to start?
Does anyone have a POC?

Edited for clarity and better context.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 3:03 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 03:03:13 -0500

If it's something the USMA does with regularity, I'd think your best bet for good information would be to contact the USMA and get their take on it. I'm sure they have a dedicated staff member for such things. It sounds like a great experience if you can pull it off; good luck.

Response by SFC David McMahon made Feb 10 at 2016 4:04 AM

SFC David McMahon — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 04:04:53 -0500

Check the VA Foreign Education benefits site-there actually may be a POC for the school your looking at already (and if not, I'm afraid I wouldn't know how to direct you).

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 6:16 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 06:16:24 -0500

Step back and discuss with your cadre. Research existing exchanges between Cadet Command and partner nations; many of these are documented within the Army Campaign Support Plan (ACSP). Exchanges like the one you speak of must be nested within the appropriate OSD authority and executed by organizations authorized to negotiate with ministries of defense. USMA has utilized these resources to establish their exchange programs. Get your cadre involved.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 1:53 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:53:52 -0500

If your school and Cadet Command are truly interested in such an exchange, Cadet Command (maybe with you and your chain of command cc'd) should contact the US Army TRADOC Liaison Officer in France, Maj Pongpat "Deck" Piluek. He's just arriving to France, but this is exactly the type of thing that TRADOC LNOs work on, with their counterparts from the in-country DAO and ODC, and with the ASCC Security Cooperation Directorate, ASCC Desk Officer, HQDA Desk Officer, and HQDA primary offices for this sort of thing. The process most likely would go through USAREUR and HQDA, and from what I understand, generally takes a long time. This would fall perhaps under Schools of Other Nations (AR 350-1, paragraph 3-45), but there may be other authorities for Cadet Command for one-semester exchange type programs.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2016 7:01 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 19:01:26 -0500

I sent a USMA Cadet to St Cyr when I worked at USMA. If you send me an email I can give you a point of contact at USMA for your cadre to reach out to.

Response by ENS Matthew Fleming made Feb 14 at 2016 10:40 PM

ENS Matthew Fleming — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 22:40:33 -0500

Norwich University has been doing this for decades. Check with them.

Response by 1SG Christian Chenard made Dec 1 at 2016 2:04 PM

1SG Christian Chenard — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:04:30 -0500

Contact the American or French liaison at the French consulate closest to you. They will know what route to take.