FAOA The Premier Defense International Affairs Association

Foreign Area Officer Association

FAOA The Premier Defense International Affairs Association

www.FAOA.org

FAO Association Overview •

FAOA is the professional association of FAOs, Military Attachés, Security Cooperation officers, and defense language and international affairs specialists-- (501(c)(19) non-profit (Veterans/Military Association) •

•

Purpose: Promote education, professional development, representation, mentoring, and social interaction within the FAO and related communities

Membership and Sponsorship • •

1600 members and associates Corporate Sponsors: Gold, Silver, Bronze and Small Business –

•

15 currently

Established by Charter in 1995 • •

9-member Board of Governors (BOG) w/4 officers Service FAO proponent representatives serve as “Ex Officio” BOG members

FAO Journal of International Affairs •

World class, peer-reviewed professional “trade publication” • •

Available in hard copy and electronic soft copy Individual, corporate, and academic library subscribers •

•

DIA and Naval Post Graduate School are largest bulk subscribers

Promoting FAO Journal as a source of academic research and debate • •

Topics: FAO and language policy, area and country studies, Attaché and Security Cooperation matters, pol-mil affairs, intelligence Purpose: Provides vehicle for the DoD FAO/LRC community to publish, influence debate, and gain peer/professional and academic recognition

FAOA Events •

Regular Events: Distinguished Speaker Luncheons, “FAOs on Tap” Networking Happy Hours, Joint FAO Course (JFAOC) Breakfasts, and Black-Tie Banquet •

•

(Co-)Sponsor symposia and conferences

Topics: speakers chosen to alternate between FAO, intelligence/ Attaché, security cooperation, LRC, and regional/country themes • •

Past Speakers: DNI James Clapper, Senator Chuck Hagel, MG Michael Nagata “Opening Act” updates from FAO proponents and regional/training centers

•

Assists with advocacy to Service and DoD FAO and Language proponents

•

Facilitates mentoring and developing junior FAOs

FAOA Research/Writing and Annual Merit Awards •

Current FAOA Awards: National Intelligence University, Joint Forces Staff College (NDU), Air University, Marine Corps University, Naval War College • •

•

Established though MOAs; future awards with Army War College , NPS, & JSOU Purpose: promote publishing and academic excellence, vehicle to influence debate and provide peer recognition, stream of high quality articles, and enhance FAOA recognition and membership

Exploring the creation of annual FAO merit award selections mirroring the NMIA awards program with DoD and the Services

FAOA Scholarship •

FAOA Scholarship for Excellence in International Affairs • • •

What: Combination grant/interest free loan through MOAA Who: Prior enlisted or dependent of current or former military member; majoring in int’l relations, area studies, or modern languages—ROTC desired Started in 2012 Academic Year

FAO Heritage Display and Hall of Fame •

Museum-quality display in the Pentagon • •

•

Collaborative venture with the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) Highlights FAO functions from early prototypes to modern joint service programs, educates on FAO roles and past operational support, and displays worldwide cultural memorabilia

FAO Hall of Fame as follow-on project •

•

Location TBD; will highlight all FAO functions—intelligence, security cooperation, and political-military affairs Separate and distinct from DIA’s Attaché Hall of Fame

FAOA Chapters and Outreach •

Partnerships and Outreach • •

•

Chapters • •

•

Government: DLNSEO, Service FAO Proponents, NPS, DIA, DSCA, Regional IMET education Centers Associations: NMIA, ICAN, OSSS, DIAA, NDIA, ROA, CAA, developing others

FAOA-Monterey Exploring affiliates in Tampa, Miami, Hawaii, Stuttgart, Garmisch, Seoul, Tokyo

FAO Linked-In sponsorship

FAOA The Premier Defense International Affairs Association Easy to join at www.faoa.org www.FAOA.org