PDSS / INTERAGENCY

Question 1

PDSS

Answer 1

A Pre-Deployment Site Survey (PDSS) is a temporary duty (TDY) activity designed to ensure all LOGISTICS and ADMIN requirements are in place for a scheduled event.

Executed 90-180 days prior to the actual event

Question 2

What to gather for PDSS Planning?

Answer 2

PDSS planning should begin with gathering existing information.

Obtain completed PDSS reports, After Action Reports (AAR), and Site Analysis documents from previous events.

Utilizing subject matter experts (SME) is an important and key step in your initial planning.

TSOC Country Desk Officers

Question 3

PDSS Team Composition

Answer 3

Mission -vs- Personalities
Pick the most experienced man -vs- rank
Rotate the responsibility
Language Considerations
Cultural Awareness

Question 4

Planning Conferences

Answer 4

Initial Planning Conference (180 Days)
Mid-Term Planning Conference (90-120 Days)
Final Planning Conference (30-45 Days)

Question 5

Pre Deployment Planning

Answer 5

Identifying/compiling an equipment/packing list

Establishing milestones (suspenses)

Setting a date and time for the next meeting

Visa and country clearance confirmation or APACs

Completion of will, power of attorney, immunizations, dental

DTS

Threat briefing (OCONUS)

Communications requirements while deployed

Update/finalize site survey checklist

Courier orders

Time/date for final meeting

Question 6

PDSS embassy coordination (examples)

Answer 6

*Training Concept
Training Calendar
Transportation
*RSO/Security
*Human Rights Vetting 
*DATT
*CIA
*Funding
MILGRP/SOC FWD/SOLO

Question 7

PDSS Host nation coordination (examples)

Answer 7

Memorandum of Agreement/ Understanding
Training Calendar 
Logistics
Survey Facilities and Training Areas
List of personnel attending the training
Types of weapons
Last time unit was trained
Training is protected

Question 8

PDSS Post Deployment - what to provide?

Answer 8

Executive Summary

Budget Estimate

Adjust Concept As Needed

Question 9

Common Embassy Personnel

Answer 9

Chief of Mission 
Deputy Chief of Mission 
Office Management Specialist
Political Section
Consular Section
Public Affairs Section
Management Section
Regional Security Office (RSO)
CIA (CoS)
Marine Security Guard
Medical Section

Question 10

Country Team

Answer 10

It is the heart of Embassy operational decision-making in all posts overseas

Guides the mission throughout the country

COM chairs the country team meetings

DoD may have liaison officers, DATs, or security assistance officials assigned to the country team under COM authority, independent of COCOMs

Question 11

Ambassador / COM

Answer 11

The Chief of Mission – with the title of Ambassador, Minister, or Chargé d’Affaires – reports through his/her regional bureau to the Secretary of State.

Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Serves as the President’s representative to the host nation for all federal agencies.

Chief of Mission has authority over all Executive Branch employees in the host nation except those under the authority of a U.S. military commander, another chief of mission, or those on the staff of an international organization.

Question 12

Deputy Chief of Mission (DCOM)

Answer 12

chief OPERATING officer of the Embassy, and acts as CHARGE IN ABSENCE of COM

Is a career foreign service officer who acts as the executive officer responsible for the DAY TO DAY MANAGEMENT of the mission.

Acts as the primary CRISIS manager before, during, and after a crisis.

Question 13

Department of Defense/ Defense Attache (DATT)

Answer 13

From DIA. A Military Defense Attaché is a high-ranking MILITARY OFFICIAL who is sent overseas to ASSIST and ADVISE U.S. ambassadors in different regions of the world.

This is a diplomatic position and is critical to the intelligence community in the U.S., as it is in constant communications with relevant actors within the Host Nation Military. (FORMICA)

Question 14

Regional Security Officer (RSO)

Answer 14

The RSO is the principal SECURITY attaché and ADVISOR to the U.S. Ambassador

The RSO is also the senior LAW ENFORCEMENT representative at a U.S. Embassy.

The RSO OVERSEAS SECURITY for ALL Americans assigned to an embassy (or on temporary duty to Post) that come under the authority of the Chief of Mission.

The RSO’s responsibility for security relates to personnel, information, physical security of embassy buildings and residences, as well as the conduct of criminal investigations.

Question 15

Marine Security Guard Detachment

Answer 15

(MSG) primary mission is to provide internal SECURITY SERVICES at designated U.S. diplomatic and consular FACILITIES to prevent the COMPROMISE OF CLASSIFIED INFOMRATION AND EQUIPMENT vital to national security.

The MSG’s secondary mission is to provide PROTECTION for U.S. citizens and U.S. Government property at U.S. facilities during circumstances that require immediate aid or action.

MSGs also CONTROL ACCESS within U.S. missions. They conduct inspections to ensure classified information is secure, and they monitor surveillance devices and fire alarms.

Question 16

Central Intelligence Agency/Chief of Station (CoS)

Answer 16

The mission of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is collecting, analyzing, evaluating and disseminating foreign intelligence to assist the President and senior U.S. Government policy makers in making decisions relating to national security. The CIA may also engage in covert action at the President’s direction and in accordance with applicable law. The CIA engages in research, development and deployment of high-leverage technology for intelligence purposes.

As a separate agency, CIA serves as an independent source of analysis on topics of concern and works closely with the other organizations in the “intelligence community” to ensure that the intelligence consumer receives the best intelligence possible.

CIA officers are sent overseas to collect human intelligence in furtherance of the Agency’s mission.

Question 17

Office Management Specialist

Answer 17

COMMUNICATIONS HUB FOR THE OFFICE

Typical secretarial and administrative support responsibilities include MANAGING OFFICE procedures and office staff, scheduling events, tracking deadlines, maintaining the office filing system and coordinating with other offices.

Seen not only as the glue that routinely holds an embassy together, the OMS also will normally be centrally involved in supporting high-level visits, official conferences and major representational activities.

Question 18

Political Section

Answer 18

Officers in an embassy’s political section are the resident EXPERTS ON THE HOST COUNTRYS DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICIES as they relate to U.S. concerns.

Drawing on personal contacts and careful analysis of available materials, they report on the domestic political environment and major developments to advise policy makers in Washington.

Question 19

Consular Section

Answer 19

Consular officers have responsibilities in three major areas:

• visas
• American citizen services
• internal management.

They PROCESS VISA applications for tourists, students, business travelers and other temporary visitors as well as for those seeking to immigrate to the United States.

Consular officers also assist American citizens abroad, help U.S. citizens obtain emergency medical assistance, ensure that arrested Americans have access to legal counsel, renew passports, and facilitate birth registrations, adoptions and repatriation of remains.

Question 20

Public Affairs Section

Answer 20

Officers in the public affairs section (PAS), formerly part of a separate agency known as the United States Information Service, or USIS, are responsible for INFORMING AND INFLUENCING key local audiences and promoting bilateral educational and cultural exchanges with the host country.

Led by the Public Affairs Officer (PAO), PAS typically will have separate information and cultural sections.

Officers in information sections, including the Embassy’s spokesperson (press attaché), provide information on U.S. policies, institutions and social developments to host country media, think tanks, universities, government offices and other institutions.

Question 21

Management Section

Answer 21

The management section (formerly called the Administrative Section) has responsibilities for the essential “nuts and bolts” operations of the embassy.

Offices under its supervision:

• Financial management office (FMO), which handles all the financial matters related to personnel payrolls, rentals, and other expenditures
• General services office (GSO), which is responsible for the maintenance of all the properties owned or leased by the embassy
• Human resources management office that addresses personnel matters
• Information management office responsible for the embassy’s computers and information systems
• Medical unit – International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS)
• Community Liaison Office (CLO).