www.FAOA.org

Foreign Area Officer Association

FAOAThe Premier Defense International

Affairs Association

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 • Government: DLNSEO, Service FAO Proponents, NPS, DIA, DSCA, Regional IMET

education Centers• Associations: NMIA, ICAN, OSSS, DIAA, NDIA, ROA, CAA, developing others

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

• FAO Linked-In sponsorship

www.FAOA.org

FAOAThe Premier Defense International Affairs

Association

Easy to join at www.faoa.org