Defense Attaché

What does the Defense Attaché career field do?

Manages and maintains Defense Attaché Office (DAO) budget and fiscal data, maintains DAO information files, coordinates United States (US) Naval ship visits and US military aircraft over-flight and landing clearances with host country officials, coordinates office support requirements with embassy officials, and performs office administrative and support duties according to Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) standards. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 151000.

Duties and responsibilities

• Maintains DAO budget and fiscal data. Prepares and submits the DAO budget according to DIA regulations and guidance provided by the embassy budget and fiscal officer. Projects budget requirements for DAO leased or Government owned housing and furnishings, travel, and administrative requirements. Manages vehicle fleet to include procurement, maintenance actions and utilization records. Manages the employment of US civilian and foreign nationals employed by DAO according to DIA, DOS, and host country employment guidelines and laws.
• Maintains DAO strategic information reporting requirements and submits/updates information reports. Maintains the master suspense file for all DAO information reporting and updates reporting requirements directed by higher headquarters. Prepares, edits, and types information reports for attaches. Maintains central research files. Provides feedback to attaches on quantity and quality of their information reporting. Maintains information reporting statistics.
• Coordinates logistics/obtains diplomatic clearances for US naval ship visits (at select locations) and US military aircraft over-flight and landing clearances with host country officials. Orchestrates handling of DoD aircraft at host nation’s airfields (including ground servicing such as fuel, power carts, lighting, and security as required). Coordinates handling of US Naval vessels at host country ports (food, water, and banking services). Provides briefings to US ship and aircrew members concerning host country immigration, laws, customs, and courtesies. Arranges for lodging and transportation, provides information on local area, events, and community relations projects for crews.
• Manages DAO support requirements with embassy officials. Ensures adequate housing and furnishings are assigned or procured. Coordinates IT requirements with DOS and DIA. Coordinates official travel; obtains passports and visas. Coordinates shipping of privately owned vehicles and household goods. Purchases office supplies.
• Performs DAO administrative duties. Maintains correspondence files, forms, Standard Operating Procedures, and publication accounts. Prepares, types, edits, and dispatches office correspondence. Conducts personnel and financial actions for assigned military and civilian personnel, to include coordinating with embassy officials and representatives of various US military services. Administers Service Fitness programs IAW service guidelines.
• Performs duties as Non-DoDs school liaison and Tricare representative for DoD personnel assigned to the DAO and other embassy offices per location
• Manages personnel and facility security programs.
• Serves on embassy boards (Housing, Budget, Post Employment and Awards Committees) as required by position and location.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Not used.

Education. For entry into this SDI, completion of high school or general educational development equivalency is mandatory.

Training. For retention of this SDI, completion of training with the Joint Military Attaché School in Washington, D.C. is mandatory.

Experience. Not used.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this SDI:
• Be an E-5, 7-skill level, or above.
• No record of military or civilian convictions (except minor traffic violations).
• No record of disciplinary action or financial irresponsibility.
• Minimum typing ability of 35 words per minute.
• See attachment 4 for additional mandatory entry requirements.
• Completion of a current Tier 5 (T5) background investigation according to AFMAN 16-1405, Personnel Security Program Management is mandatory.
• Must maintain a Top-Secret clearance for retention of this AFSC.
• When required for a current or future assignment, must successfully complete and pass a Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph test.
• Must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security. NOTE: Award of this SDI without a completed T5 Investigation is authorized provided an interim Top Secret security clearance has been granted according to DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405.

Utilization Note (RegAF only):

• Award of this SDI is only authorized when an airman is filling a funded 8P100 unit manpower document (UMD) authorization. When the member is filling a valid 8P100 UMD authorization, 8P100 is authorized as the awarded (secondary, third or fourth), Control and Duty AFSC. Once the member is no longer filling a valid 8P100 UMD authorization, 8P100 is no longer authorized as the Control and Duty AFSC but will remain as an awarded (secondary, third or fourth) AFSC IAW AFMAN 36-2100, unless the member is disqualified from the SDI then it will not remain as an awarded AFSC. Further, 8P100 is not authorized for award as the PAFSC when filling a funded 8P100 UMD authorization unless incumbent has no other awarded AFSCs. Airmen performing 8P100 duties but not filling a funded 8P100 UMD authorization will have no change in their awarded, control and duty AFSCs. Ensure airmen employed outside of their CAFSC are managed IAW AFMAN 36-2100, Military Utilization and Classification. Use Outside of Control AFSC.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $35,280–$129,430 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Couriers and Messengers: $35,280
• Document Management Specialists: $98,740
• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants: $65,980
• Information Security Analysts: $112,000
• Intelligence Analysts: $86,280
• Political Scientists: $128,020
• Public Relations Managers: $129,430
• Public Relations Specialists: $67,440