Leveraging International Exchanges: A Force Multiplier ahead of the Future Fight

Setting the Scene: The Free-World United

Since World War II, the U.S. has led the Free World, shaping a Western order based on free trade, democracy, and a fundamental respect for the rule of law.

In June 1963—with the Cuban Missile Crisis fresh in humanity’s collective memory-- President Kennedy, speaking in West Germany, emphasized global interdependence, noting that Allies share America’s challenges. "For we live in an age of interdependence,” he declared.

That same year, Secretary of Defense McNamara established the Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program (ESEP) to pool expertise with international partners

Since then, our international Allies have continued to support the U.S. in critical moments, including during 9/11 and the subsequent War on Terror. In 1998, the U.S. and Germany formalized their partnership through the “6 November 1998 Agreement Between the Department of Defense of the United States of America and the Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany Regarding the Exchange of Engineers and Scientists,” commonly referred to as the E&S Agreement.

Billy Ramsey, the assistant director for International Programs at MCSC, noted: “Strong individual relationships are key to effective partnerships, as building trust and commitment is challenging without them. The Marine Corps fosters these connections through joint exercises, key leader engagements, and strategic scientific exchanges. This is critical ahead of the future fight.”

Leveraging International Exchanges

Guided by Force Design’s call to “Increase transparency and cooperation with international, government, industry, and academic partners,” Marine Corps Systems Command’s (MCSC) International Programs Office has introduced the ESEP to the Marine Corps, strengthening interoperability by facilitating the exchange of acquisition professionals and technical expertise across allied nations.

Mr. Tim Gramp, former Senior Executive (SES) for the US Marine Corps and Chief Engineer, emphasized: “This cross-Atlantic partnership is vital for advancing defense technologies and joint readiness as we face common adversaries."

Rafael Keller, a German ESEP participant and pyrotechnic ammunition expert at the Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information, and Technology, echoed this sentiment, stressing the value of working together ahead of future conflicts.

“Interoperability must be a key focus for all militaries,” he said from his post at MCSC. “Even when requirements differ, exchanging research, development, and test results can save years of work and millions in costs," he noted, emphasizing the power of collaboration in advancing shared defense innovations.

In your mind’s eye, imagine allied forces in Eastern Europe, where a U.S. Marine must rely on his NATO counterpart's ammunition to survive and complete the mission at hand. Will their capabilities be compatible when supply lines are down but the fight must go on?

"It goes much further. Our systems must communicate and connect seamlessly. For example, I’m working on ammunition surveillance, combining methods from the U.S. and Germany to improve the process for small caliber ammunition. This kind of knowledge exchange can save time, money, and lives." said Rafael Keller, a German ESEP participant and pyrotechnic ammunition expert at the Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information, and Technology.

Beyond individual exchanges, strategic frameworks such as Technology Transfer (T2) agreements between U.S. Military Federal Laboratories and international companies drive essential collaborations that advance defense capabilities. Likewise, International Exchange Programs—including Information Exchange Agreements (IEA) and Data Exchange Agreements (DEA)—form the basis of multiyear, multilateral Project Arrangements (PAs) with coalition partners. These agreements ensure that innovation and insights from allied nations are readily shared, fortifying interoperability and collective security efforts.

Partnerships in Action: CJADC2

While ESEP bridges the Pentagon’s acquisition community with international partners, MCSC goes further by expanding global efforts through initiatives like Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), joint exercises, and constant collaboration and information transfer.

Key to Joint Force and international partner interoperability, the Marine Corps is advancing CJADC2, a system designed to seamlessly connect U.S. and allied forces across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains.

CJADC2 integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud systems, and sensors to enhance decision-making and coordination among coalition forces. Securing these systems is vital amid evolving threats—and our partners are actively contributing innovations to strengthen this shared capability.

According to Mr. Gramp: “The German acquisition community is advancing command and control capabilities, focusing on improving interoperability. They are addressing challenges such as how data should be structured, shared, and exchanged within a coalition environment. By collaborating directly with them, we can develop technical solutions that ensure seamless interoperability.”

Furthermore, our NATO Allies are stepping up to the challenge at hand, actively collaborating with the U.S. to fully integrate themselves into CJADC2 efforts through initiatives like Multi-Domain Operations and Federated Mission Networking. These efforts focus on enhancing interoperability across allied forces, ensuring seamless coordination and maintaining the alliance’s military and technological edge.

Allies in Experimentation: Project Convergence

Last year, during Project Convergence Capstone 4 (PC-C4) at Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps advanced Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) through strong international partnerships, including newer coalition allies.

The experiment, held across multiple locations, focused on integrating fires and multidomain operations with participation from the U.K., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, Japan, and Sweden. This collaboration enhanced joint force interoperability and underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing modern challenges. As Russia and China continue to challenge Western interests, PC-C4 highlighted the mutual benefits of strengthened global partnerships.

Col. Adam Camel, commander of Sweden’s 1st Marine Regiment, excited at his nation’s then-imminent ascension into the ranks of NATO, was quick to express enthusiasm for the opportunity to collaborate with American and other international partners at PCC4— while also recognizing his nation's extensive history as a littoral force along the Baltic Sea.

He noted: “Although we acknowledge that we have much to learn from our international partners, it is also true that we have a great deal of knowledge to share, too. Collaboration is what will continue to make us strong as we face collective threats together.”

Interoperability, in any Clime or Place

As the world faces renewed challenges from revisionist powers, the strength of international partnerships is more crucial than ever. Through initiatives like the Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program, CJADC2, and multinational exercises, MCSC is ensuring that the Corps and its Allies and partners remain prepared for the complexities of the future fight. These collaborative efforts are not just about maintaining an edge—they are about ensuring that when the time comes, our forces and those of our Allies can fight as one, ready to face any adversary together whenever the Free World calls.