The 2008 Guidance for Employment of Force calls for Combatant Commanders (COCOM's) to place significant emphasis on shaping the strategic environment within their area of responsibility by deterring major conflicts, precluding instability, enhancing governance or military capability of partner countries, and preparing for catastrophic events. The intent is that the COCOMs steady state activities will diffuse strategic problems before they arise or minimize the impact when problems do occur. The National Guard State Partnership Program is a strategic tool that assists the COCOM in meeting the objectives outlined above, supports other agencies in doing the same and supports the National Military Strategy. This paper will provide a brief history and outline of the program, a comparative analysis of two case studies in different Geographical Combatant Commands (GCCs), an assessment of the program's impact on both our national interests as well as those of the partner nation, an evaluation of its strategic value to the GCCs and culminates with a recommendation to expand the program and fully resource the program to do so.
