WASHINGTON -- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) yesterday launched the Department of Defense Security Cooperation Workforce Certification Program for civilian and military members of the security cooperation workforce.

''We are proud to elevate security cooperation as a profession through the new Security Cooperation Workforce Certification Program,'' DSCA Director Army Lt. Gen. Charles W. Hooper said.

Security cooperation is the effort to advance U.S. national security and foreign policy interests by building the capacity of foreign security forces to respond to shared challenges. That effort involves, among other things, building and maintaining military-to-military relationships, combined training efforts, and foreign military sales.