13 FAM 301.4 MANDATORY TRAINING PREPARATORY TO GOING ABROAD

UNCLASSIFIED (U)

13 FAM 301.4

MANDATORY TRAINING PREPARATORY TO GOING ABROAD

(CT:TPD-32; 10-31-2024)
(Office of Origin: DS)

(CT:TPD-1; 09-18-2019)

This policy guidance derives its authority from Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-399; 22 U.S.C. 4801, et seq.), and supersedes the following previously issued policy guidance:

(1) Executive Secretary Memorandum dated March 25, 2004 on Mandatory Security Training for Employees Working at Posts Overseas;

(2) Executive Secretary Memorandum dated August 14, 2009 on Afghanistan Familiarization Training;

(3) Executive Secretary Memorandum dated April 29, 2011 on S.A.F.E and FACT training requirements;

(4) Executive Secretary Memorandum dated June 09, 2013 on FACT and HTSOS training requirements;

(5) Executive Secretary Memorandum dated July 07, 2014 on expansion of FACT and HTSOS training requirements; and

(6) Executive Secretary Memorandum dated January 14, 2015, Summary of Mandatory Training Requirements for U.S. Government Personnel Assigned under Chief of Mission at Designated Posts.

13 FAM 301.4-1(B) Scope

(CT:TPD-10; 04-01-2022)

This policy outlines security training requirements in advance of going abroad on either temporary duty or permanent change of station. Specifically, the training requirements are outlined for the following courses:

· Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) Training (CT650);

· Counter Threat Awareness Training (CTAT) (CT401), previously High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS);

· Security Overseas Seminar (SOS) course (MQ911);

· Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113); and

· Post-Specific Pre-Deployment Training.

13 FAM 301.4-2 Foreign affairs counter threat (fact) Training

13 FAM 301.4-2(A) Individuals Required to Complete FACT

(CT:TPD-32; 10-31-2024)

a. All U.S. government personnel who are the security responsibility of the Secretary of State on official duty abroad for 90 or more cumulative days in a 12-month period - except for those exempted, as described in 13 FAM 301.4-2(B) - are required to complete the FACT course (CT650). This applies to personnel who are either transferring under Permanent Change of Station (PCS), on temporary duty (TDY), in a Reemployed Annuitant (REA), or Domestic Employee Teleworking Overseas (DETO) status. It also applies to employed eligible family members (EFMs) who are over the age of 18. However, it will not be a condition of employment. EFMs who receive an offer of employment with the U.S. government prior to travel should take FACT or receive a waiver. Additionally, this requirement applies to LE Staff TDY outside their home country. This requirement does not apply to congressional delegations (CODELs) or congressional staff delegations (STAFFDELs).

b. Third-party contractors must refer to their contract and contracting officer. While third-party contractors are not the security responsibility of the Secretary of State, FACT may be required according to the terms of the contract.

c. EFMs not employed by the U.S. government are not required to take the FACT course, but those 18 years and older are strongly encouraged to do so.

d. Interns and fellows (paid and unpaid) who are the security responsibility of the Secretary of State are required to take FACT. If there are questions as to whether or not an intern or fellow is the security responsibility of the Secretary of State, consult with both L/EMP and L/M.

e. A Department of State employee who requires a modification of the FACT training due to disability may request a reasonable accommodation using the process set forth in 3 FAM 3670 (Reasonable Accommodations for Individuals With Disabilities).

f. FACT Six-Year Validity: A training completion certificate for FACT is considered valid for six years. All U.S. government employees who are required to complete FACT must have a certificate valid at minimum through the date of arrival at post for their tour of duty.

g. Recertification of FACT: FACT recertification only applies to employees serving in or traveling to posts with at least one SETL rating in the High or Critical range for Crime, Terrorism, or Political Violence. Employees whose FACT certification expires during their tour of duty at one of these posts must complete FACT during their next official travel to the United States if they have 180 days or more remaining overseas upon returning to that post of assignment. Personnel assigned to or travelling to posts rated Low or Medium in the categories of Crime, Terrorism, or Political Violence recertify by completing CTAT (previously HTSOS).

h. EFM employment and FACT: EFMs who become employed after they arrive at post and who have never taken FACT will be required to take FACT during their next official travel to the United States if they have 180 days or more remaining overseas upon returning to that post of assignment. EFMs who become employed after they arrive at a post with at least one SETL category in the High or Critical range for Crime, Terrorism, or Political Violence, and their FACT certificate has expired, will be required to take FACT during their next official travel to the United States if they have 180 days or more remaining overseas upon returning to that post of assignment. EFMs employed at posts rated Low or Medium in the categories of Crime, Terrorism, or Political Violence recertify by completing CTAT (previously HTSOS). A valid FACT certificate will not be a condition of employment as individuals who become employed after arrival at post will 1) be required to take CTAT (previously HTSOS), and 2) are required to complete FACT during their next official travel to the United States.

13 FAM 301.4-2(B) Individuals Exempt from FACT Training Requirement

(CT:TPD-6; 06-02-2020)

a. Special Agents of the Diplomatic Security Service who are not on an excursion tour to other cones/skill codes in accordance with 12 FAM 372.7-1(b).

b. Limited non-career appointment Security Protective Specialists employed by DS.

c. DoD personnel covered in Annex A of the country-specific security MOA at any post in Iraq or Afghanistan.

d. DoD personnel covered in Annex B of the country-specific security MOA at any post.

e. Personnel or employed EFMs for whom the Director General of the Foreign Service or the Under Secretary for Management has approved a waiver, pursuant to a request from the employee’s respective bureau or, in the case of non-Department of State personnel, the non-State agency’s Chief Human Capital Officer.

f. EFMs employed by the U.S. government who are under the age of 18.

g. Locally Employed staff who are in their country of residence.

h. Marine Security Guards (MSG) and MSG Security Augmentation Units (MSAU).

i. Executive Branch agency officials, their family members, and their support staff traveling outside of the United States (including personnel traveling with a Cabinet-level or other high-level official delegation) if the personnel are traveling with and protected by a dedicated, full-time security detail.

j. Personnel from agencies that have taken training certified by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security's Training Directorate (DS/T) as equivalent training as defined in 13 FAM 301.4-2(A), paragraph b. A list of agencies who have been granted training equivalency or FACT certification is located on the FACT Toolkit.

Note: EFMs who are not employed by the U.S. government do not fulfill the threshold criteria establishing who is required to take FACT, and they therefore do not require an exemption to the FACT training requirement.

13 FAM 301.4-2(C) Requesting Waiver from FACT Training Requirement

(CT:TPD-6; 06-02-2020)

a. The Department of State strongly discourages requests for waivers of the FACT course requirement, and rarely grants them. Requestors should not assume a waiver will be granted and should continue planning for their assignments as if they will need to complete FACT.

b. Department of State employees (including employed EFMs) seeking individual waivers for FACT should consult with their current bureau executive offices. If the bureau executive office concurs with the employee’s request for a waiver, it must submit an action memo, cleared through the respective bureau executive office, to the Director General, formally requesting the waiver. For High Risk, High Threat posts, the action memo requesting the waiver, cleared through the respective bureau executive office, should be directed to the Under Secretary for Management.

c. Individual waiver requests from non-Department of State personnel must be submitted via letter from their agency’s Chief Human Capital Officer to the Under Secretary of State for Management.

d. Individual waivers are issued only during exceptional operational exigencies and are valid for a limited period of time.

e. All waiver requests must include a detailed justification of the required presence of any personnel without FACT training (with documented Chief of Mission concurrence for High Threat High Risk posts), a description of the impediments to complete FACT training, confirmation the employee is enrolled to take FACT at a future date, and a valid CTAT (or HTSOS) certificate. All waiver requests are subject to the approval of the Director General (for Department of State employees) or the Under Secretary of State for Management (for non-Department of State personnel).

13 FAM 301.4-2(D) Travel Funding for Department of State Personnel

(CT:TPD-1; 09-18-2019)

DS is responsible for the cost of FACT training, Department of State bus transportation from Washington, D.C. to the FACT staging hotel, local transportation between the FACT staging hotel and the DS training site, and per diem for Department of State personnel and their EFMs attending FACT.

13 FAM 301.4-3 Counter Threat Awareness Training (ctat), previously High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS)

13 FAM 301.4-3(A) Individuals Required to Complete CTAT, (previously HTSOS)

(CT:TPD-10; 04-01-2022)

a. All U.S. government personnel who are the security responsibility of the Secretary of State on official duty overseas for 89 or less cumulative days in a 12-month period - except for those exempted, as described in 13 FAM 301.4-3(B) - are required to complete the CTAT course (CT401) which was previously HTSOS. This applies to personnel who are either transferring under PCS, on TDY, in a REA, or DETO status. It also applies to employed EFMs who are over the age of 18 and LE Staff TDY outside their home country.

b. Third-party contractors must refer to their contract and contracting officer. While third-party contractors are not the security responsibility of the Secretary of State, CTAT (previously HTSOS) may be required according to the terms of the contract.

c. EFMs not employed by the U.S. government and members of household (MOHs) are not required to take the CTAT course (previously HTSOS), but those 18 years and older are strongly encouraged to do so.

d. Interns and fellows (paid and unpaid).

e. CTAT Six-Year Validity: A training completion certificate for CTAT is considered valid for six years.

13 FAM 301.4-3(B) Individuals Exempt from CTAT, (previously HTSOS)

(CT:TPD-6; 06-02-2020)

a. Individuals who have a valid FACT certificate or FACT training equivalency.

b. Special Agents of the Diplomatic Security Service who are not on an excursion tour to other cones/skill codes in accordance with 12 FAM 372.7-1(b).

c. Limited non-career appointment Security Protective Specialists employed by DS.

d. DoD personnel covered in Annex A of the country-specific security MOA at any post in Iraq or Afghanistan.

e. DoD personnel covered in Annex B of the country-specific security MOA at any post.

f. Personnel or employed EFMs for whom the Director General of the Foreign Service or the Under Secretary for Management has approved a waiver, pursuant to a request from the employee’s respective bureau, or, in the case of non-Department of State personnel, the non-State agency’s Chief Human Capital Officer.

g. Employed EFMs under the age of 18.

h. LE staff who are in their country of residence.

i. MSG and MSAUs.

j. CODELs and congressional STAFFDELs.

k. Executive Branch agency officials, their family members, and their support staff traveling outside of the United States (including personnel traveling with a Cabinet-level or other high-level official delegation) if the personnel are traveling with and protected by a dedicated, full-time security detail.

Note: EFMs not employed by the U.S. government and MOHs do not fulfill the threshold criteria establishing who is required to take CTAT, and they therefore do not require an exemption to the CTAT training requirement.

13 FAM 301.4-3(C) CTAT Administration

(CT:TPD-10; 04-01-2022)

a. Other U.S. government agencies may host CTAT on their Learning Management Systems (LMS) by executing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. DS' Policy and Planning Division coordinates the MOU with the other agency, and DS/T's Training Development and Analysis Division liaises with the other agency to ensure technical requirements are met to upload CTAT to their LMS. Verification of course completion for agencies with CTAT on their LMS is through points of contact for each agency, which can be located on the FACT Toolkit Other Government Agency CTAT SharePoint site. DOS training transcripts will only reflect courses completed through DOS. Other U.S. government agencies who host CTAT are responsible for tracking completions and maintaining those records. These records will be provided to DOS personnel when requested.

To request a waiver from CTAT (CT401), please follow the same procedures as described for FACT.

b. A training completion certificate for those who have taken CTAT is considered valid for six years.

c. CTAT will replace the legacy High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS) course (CT401). Individuals who completed the HTSOS course, and have a certificate valid to September 30, 2026, do not need to complete CTAT until their HTSOS certification expires.

13 fam 301.4-4 Security Overseas seminar (SOS)

13 FAM 301.4-4(A) Individuals Required to Complete SOS

(CT:TPD-6; 06-02-2020)

a. All U.S. government personnel who are the security responsibility of the Secretary of State on official duty overseas for 45 or more cumulative days in a 12-month period - except for those exempted, as described in 13 FAM 301.4-4(B) - are required to complete the classroom-based SOS course (MQ911). This applies to personnel who are either transferring under PCS, on TDY, in a REA, or DETO status. This also applies to special agents of the Diplomatic Security Service. SOS content is not included in special agent training and therefore is required. Furthermore, it serves to inform special agents of the baseline safety and security understanding of their community members.

b. Third-party contractors must refer to their contract and contracting officer. While third-party contractors are not the security responsibility of the Secretary of State, SOS may be required according to the terms of the contract.

c. EFMs not employed by the U.S. government and MOHs are not required to take the SOS course but those 18 years and older are strongly encouraged to do so and are welcome to take the course independent of their employee sponsor.

Note: FSI offers a summer youth program for young EFMs moving abroad. The program runs concurrently with SOS and includes interactive modules on diplomatic life, protocol, safety, and security. All U.S. government EFMs in grades 2-12 are invited. For information contact FSI’s Transition Center.

13 FAM 301.4-4(B) Individuals Exempt from SOS Training Requirement

(CT:TPD-6; 06-02-2020)

a. Limited non-career appointment Security Protective Specialists employed by DS.

b. DoD personnel covered in Annex A of the country-specific security MOA at any post in Iraq or Afghanistan.

c. DoD personnel covered in Annex B of the country-specific security MOA at any post.

e. Employed EFMs under the age of 18.

f. LE Staff.

g. MSG and MSAUs.

h. Executive Branch agency officials, their family members, and their support staff traveling outside of the United States (including personnel traveling with a Cabinet-level or other high-level official delegation) if personnel are traveling with and protected by a dedicated, full-time security detail.

i. All U.S. non-executive branch government personnel on official duty abroad under the security responsibility of the Secretary of State for 45 or more cumulative days in a calendar year are highly encouraged, but not required, to complete SOS.

j. Personnel from agencies that have taken training certified by FSI as equivalent training. A list of agencies who have been granted training equivalency for SOS is maintained by FSI’s Transition Center.

Note: EFMs not employed by the U.S. government and MOHs are not required to take SOS, and they therefore do not require an exemption to this training requirement. However, they are highly encouraged to take the course as active members of a mission community, especially if they intend to seek employment inside the mission.

13 FAM 301.4-4(C) Requesting Waiver from SOS Training Requirement

(CT:TPD-6; 06-02-2020)

a. The Department of State strongly discourages requests for waivers of the SOS course requirement, and rarely grants them. Requestors should not assume a waiver will be granted and should continue planning for their assignments as if they will need to complete SOS.

b. Department of State employees (including employed EFMs) seeking individual waivers for SOS should consult with their current bureau executive offices. If the bureau executive office concurs with the employee’s request for a waiver, it must submit an action memo, cleared through the respective bureau executive office, to the Director General, formally requesting the waiver.

c. Individual waiver requests from non-Department of State personnel must be submitted via letter from their agency’s Chief Human Capital Officer to the Under Secretary of State for Management.

d. All waiver requests must include a detailed description of the impediments to complete SOS prior to arriving at post. All waiver requests are subject to the approval of the Director General (for Department of State employees) or the Under Secretary of State for Management (for non-Department of State personnel).

13 FAM 301.4-4(D) SOS Administration

(CT:TPD-6; 06-02-2020)

a. Personnel from other U.S. government agencies accredited by an FSI team to provide SOS training to their own personnel may complete the course provided by their agency or FSI. FSI training transcripts will only reflect courses completed through FSI. Other U.S. government agencies who offer a certified SOS equivalent are responsible for tracking completions and maintaining those records. These records will be provided to DOS personnel when requested.

b. Validity: A training completion certificate for SOS never expires.

13 fam 301.4-5 introduction to working in an embassy

13 FAM 301.4-5(A) Individuals Required to Complete Introduction to Working in an Embassy

(CT:TPD-6; 06-02-2020)

a. All U.S. government personnel who are the security responsibility of the Secretary of State on official duty overseas who will spend 30 days or more in a 12-month period overseas, are required to complete the distance learning course, Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113). This applies to personnel who are either transferring under PCS, on TDY, in a REA, or DETO status.

b. Third-party contractors must refer to their contract and contracting officer. While third-party contractors are not the security responsibility of the Secretary of State, Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113) may be required according to the terms of the contract.

c. EFMs not employed by the U.S. government and MOHs are not required to take PN113, but those 18 years and older are strongly encouraged to do so.

d. Validity: A training completion certificate for PN113 never expires.

13 FAM 301.4-5(B) Individuals Exempt from Introduction to Working in an Embassy Training Requirement

(CT:TPD-6; 06-02-2020)

a. Limited non-career appointment Security Protective Specialists employed by DS.

b. DoD personnel covered in Annex A of the country-specific security MOA at any post in Iraq or Afghanistan.

c. DoD personnel covered in Annex B of the country-specific security MOA at any post.

d. Personnel or employed EFMs for whom the Director General of the Foreign Service or the Under Secretary for Management has approved a waiver, pursuant to a request from the employee’s respective bureau or, in the case of non-Department of State personnel, the non-State agency’s Chief Human Capital Officer. To request a waiver from Introduction to Working in an Embassy (PN113), please follow the same procedures as described for SOS in 13 FAM 301.4-4(C).

e. Employed EFMs under the age of 18.

f. LE staff.

g. MSG and MSAUs.

Note: EFMs not employed by the U.S. government and MOHs are not required to take PN113, and they therefore do not require an exemption to this training requirement. However, they are highly encouraged to take the course as active members of a mission community.

13 FAM 301.4-6 Post-Specific pre-deployment Training

(CT:TPD-6; 06-02-2020)

a. In addition to training covered in 13 FAM 301.4-2, 13 FAM 301.4-3, and 13 FAM 301.4-4, the Department has mandated the following additional post-specific pre-deployment training:

Country/Post	Targeted Audience	Mandated Training
Afghanistan	All personnel assigned or on TDY for 90 cumulative days or more in any 12-month period.	Afghanistan Familiarization (RS415)
Iraq	All personnel assigned or on TDY for 60 cumulative days or more in any 12-month period.	Iraq Familiarization (FT610)
Pakistan	All personnel under Secretary of State security responsibility.	While not mandatory, Pakistan Familiarization (RS417) is highly recommended.
NOTE: Other posts will be designated to come under the above training requirements as determined to be necessary.

b. The above listed training requirements are subject to change based on operational need. For the most current information on required pre-deployment training to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan, check with the Department’s Orientation and In-Processing Center.

c. Third-party contractors must complete the training if required by the contract.

d. Personnel assigned to Employee Self-Certification and Ability to Perform in Emergencies (ESCAPE) posts must meet the FACT ESCAPE requirements to travel to post.

13 FAM 301.4-7 Arranging for Training

(CT:TPD-6; 06-02-2020)

a. It is each employee’s responsibility to ensure he or she completes any mandatory training preparatory to going abroad identified in this subchapter.

b. Employees and EFMs can enroll in FACT at any time, with the approval of their bureau training officer (for Civil Servant employees) or career development officer (for Foreign Service Officers and EFMS not employed by the U.S. government). Travel orders for an overseas assignment are not required.

c. The Office of Career Development and Assignments (GTM/CDA) normally enrolls new Foreign Service personnel and their EFMs in the required mandatory training preparatory to going abroad, as outlined in 13 FAM 301.4.

d. Supervisors and bureau training officers normally work with personnel to arrange for enrollment in mandatory training preparatory to going abroad, as outlined in 13 FAM 301.4.

e. Employees who fail to complete all mandatory training preparatory to going abroad, as outlined in 13 FAM 301.4 and travel to post without an approved waiver may be subject to admonishment or discipline in accordance with 3 FAM 4300 and 3 FAM 4500.

f. EFMs should arrange to attend FACT training with their sponsoring family members (who is on official duty abroad) to the maximum extent feasible.

UNCLASSIFIED (U)