WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is changing the name of its Office of Military Affairs to the Office of Civilian Military Cooperation (CMC), highlighting its evolving role in enabling civilian-military cooperation in development and security.

In the context of implementing the Quadrennial Development and Diplomacy Review and the Agency's enhanced role in U.S. foreign policy, USAID's Administrator Rajiv Shah announced the change during a November speech at West Point.

The new name, Civilian Military Cooperation, best conveys the true purpose of the office - to improve communication, mutual understanding and cooperation between the Agency and the Department of Defense on the strategic and policy level. U.S. objectives are best achieved through a whole of government effort that harnesses development, diplomacy and defense, and USAID seeks to advance the development agenda by through cultivating and maintaining a strong relationship with DoD.

No other organizational changes are implied or intended by this change of name. CMC remains a part of the Agency's Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) and Sharon Carter will continue to serve in the role of Acting Director of the Office.

USAID has made great strides in the past five years toward mutual understanding and coordination with DoD. Senior USAID advisors have been placed in the geographic combatant commands and DCHA/CMC hosts military representatives from each command. DCHA/CMC developed the first USAID civilian-military cooperation policy, and is engaged in a revision reflecting our vision for the future.

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