JP 3-0, page 121

Joint Operations Across the Range of Military Operations V-15 (1) Security assistance refers to a group of programs by which the United States provides defense articles, military training, and other defense-related services to foreign nations by grant, loan, credit, or cash sales in furtherance of national policies and objectives. Some examples of US security assistance programs are the Foreign Military Sales Program, the Foreign Military Financing Program, the International Military Education and Training Program, the Economic Support Fund, and commercial sales licensed under the Arms Export Control Act. Security assistance surges accelerate release of equipment, supplies, or services when an allied or friendly nation faces an imminent military threat. Security assistance surges are military in nature and are focused on providing additional combat systems (e.g., weapons and equipment) or supplies, but may include the full range of security assistance, to include financial and training support. (2) Foreign internal defense programs encompass the diplomatic, economic, informational, and military support provided to another nation to assist its fight against subversion, lawlessness, insurgency, terrorism, and other threats to their security. US military support to FID should focus on the operational assistance to HN personnel and collaborative planning with interorganizational and HN authorities to anticipate, preclude, and counter these threats. FID supports HN internal defense and development programs. US military involvement in FID has traditionally been focused on helping a nation defeat an organized movement attempting to overthrow its lawful government. US FID programs may address other threats to the internal stability of an HN, such as civil disorder, illicit drug trafficking, and terrorism. While FID is a legislatively- mandated core task of SOF, conventional forces also contain and employ organic capabilities to conduct these activities. For further guidance on FID, refer to JP 3-22, Foreign Internal Defense. For further guidance on SOF involvement in FID, refer to JP 3-05, Special Operations, and JP 3- 05.1, Joint Special Operations Task Force Operations. (3) Security Force Assistance (SFA). SFA is DOD’s contribution to a unified action effort to support and augment the development of the capacity and capability of foreign security forces (FSF) and their supporting institutions to facilitate the achievement of specific objectives shared by the USG. The US military engages in activities to enhance the capabilities and capacities of a partner nation (or regional security organization) by providing training, equipment, advice, and assistance to those FSF organized in national ministry of defense (or equivalent regional military or paramilitary forces), while other USG departments and agencies focus on those forces assigned to other ministries (or their equivalents) such as interior, justice, or intelligence services. For further guidance on SFA, refer to JP 3-22, Foreign Internal Defense. (4) Humanitarian and civic assistance programs are governed by Title 10, USC, Section 401. This assistance may be provided in conjunction with military operations and exercises and must fulfill unit training requirements that incidentally create humanitarian benefit to the local populace. In contrast to emergency relief