Exchange officer

An exchange officer is a commissioned officer in a country's armed forces who is temporarily attached to a unit of the armed forces of another country.

Exchange officers usually serve in similar roles to those that their career path would take them were they to remain in the armed forces of their home state. The exchange officer will usually perform all duties as if he or she were actually in the armed forces to which they are attached. This includes going to war, if required, although this would require that permission be granted from their home government, and that other conditions may be attached. The stated purpose of an exchange officer programme is usually to help foster understanding of each other's operating methods. This provides valuable feedback so that any issues that crop up in joint operations, such as those done under the NATO umbrella, would not impede the achievement of mission objectives.

The British and the U.S. armed forces have many exchange officers, for example a British officer has been attached to the United States Military Academy at West Point for many years now. Australian Army also attaches one of its officers with the rank of captain to the Royal Military College of Malaysia. Another example is that though the Canadian Government is stated to be neutral with regards to the conflict in Iraq, many Canadians are fighting in Iraq under exchange with the United States Armed Forces.

Notable Examples

Thomas S. Jones, a General serving with the United States Marine Corps was an exchange officer who served with the Royal Marines of the UK during his career path. [ [http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/biographies/636327E77484737985256808004B3A73?opendocument Official Biography for Thomas S. Jones ] ]

In 2007 Queen Elizabeth II presented Marine Maj. William D. Chesarek Jr. with the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in 2006 as an exchange officer flying British helicopters in Iraq. [ [http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=44356&archive=true Stars and Stripes: Queen Elizabeth honors U.S. Marine helicopter pilot ] ]

The US Navy guided missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill has a Royal Navy officer permanently assigned to her crew. Until she was decommissioned in July 2005, the Royal Navy frigate, HMS Marlborough, had a US Navy officer permanently stationed aboard in return.

Exchange Officer Programmes

A [http://www.army.mod.uk/ukpep/where/colchester/maj_in_company_commander.htm programme] between the 82nd Airborne Division and the Parachute Regiment of the US Army and British Army respectively. The 82nd Airborne Division also has a similar program with the Australian Army.

In Fiction

* One of Peter Sellers' three characters in "", Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, is a Royal Air Force exchange officer serving with the United States Air Force.
* The character of Lieutenant Commander Mic Brumby on "JAG" was an Australian Naval Officer assigned to work with the US Navy Judge Advocate General Corps as part of an officer exchange program.
* In the "A Matter of Honor" episode of "", Commander Riker becomes an officer aboard a Klingon Bird-of-Prey as part of an exhange program between the Federation and Klingon Empire.

References