# DoD Modernizes Security Cooperation Workforce

The Department of Defense (DoD) is actively modernizing and professionalizing its security cooperation workforce to support an expanded mission involving defense sales and partnerships with allied nations. This initiative, driven by Congressional directives and highlighted in a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) review, focuses on defining workforce roles, enhancing training programs, and implementing institutional reforms with a target completion year of 2028. Despite notable progress, challenges remain in integrating IT systems and developing clear career paths for personnel. Procurement professionals and contractors should note the strategic importance and economic scale of defense sales, as these workforce improvements may influence future contracting opportunities and requirements related to security cooperation activities.

- The DoD's modernization effort involves the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and is under Congressional oversight, particularly from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
- Procurement teams should anticipate evolving workforce requirements that may affect contract scopes, especially in training, IT integration, and personnel management services.
- Contractors specializing in defense sales support, workforce development, and IT solutions may find emerging opportunities aligned with the DoD's institutional reforms.
- Organizations should consider the implications of this workforce modernization on compliance, contract performance, and partnership facilitation with allied countries.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** September 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Defense (DoD)
- Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
- House Foreign Affairs Committee

### Sources
- [
        DoD has expanded its security cooperation mission, now it builds the workforce to keep up | Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/podcast/federal-drive-with-terry-gerton-podcast/dod-has-expanded-its-security-cooperation-mission-now-it-builds-the-workforce-to-keep-up) - Federal News Network
- [
        DoD has expanded its security cooperation mission, now it builds the workforce to keep up | Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-main/2026/09/dod-has-expanded-its-security-cooperation-mission-now-it-builds-the-workforce-to-keep-up) - Federal News Network