Letter from the President

Colonel (P) John C. Adams

This is an exciting time for the Foreign Area Officer Community. With our Armed Forces at war, the need for Foreign Area Officers, regional specialists with political-military expertise, has never been greater. From each Combatant Command, to numerous US Government Departments and Agencies in Washington, to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, and to the UN Command in Korea, FAOs contribute immeasurably to our national security worldwide. Of that purpose, of that service, we should be proud. And to that purpose and service we must rededicate our individual efforts -- wherever we serve and whatever our component, Active or Retired, civilian or military.

Although each of our Services has a FAO program unique to Service needs and culture -- the common thread is that in all services FAOs support the Warfighters. And each of us in the FAO Community has an important role to play in that mission.

FAOs should use every professional development opportunity to build the capability to serve Warfighter needs, and prepare for future service at the sharp end of our business. Especially now, your personal and professional commitment is critical. Each of our Services has critical regional needs that offer the opportunity for aggressive and resourceful officers to both contribute and learn.

All FAOs can contribute superbly by mentoring junior FAOs. There are a myriad of opportunities for mentorship, from personal mentoring and encouragement, to support for Service FAO programs, to support for our FAO Association. Unquestionably, the force of personality and professional circumstance plays an important role -- but we can all contribute.

Turning to the business of our Association, we need to elect a Board of Governors. We solicit nominations for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, and nine Members. Of course, service is voluntary -- but we'll ask those who accept nomination for Board Membership to contribute from their wisdom, expertise, and effort to support the Association. For Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Member nominations, we'll accept nominations from the membership through the end of January 2004. We'll poll the general membership in the subsequent issue of the FAO Journal.

Also, we are planning a Washington Foreign Area Officer Association Dining-Out for the month of April. We'll announce the details in the subsequent issue as well.

Please use email to let our Secretariat know your current address and email. It goes without saying that current address is the only way we can stay in touch with you, and ensure you get the Journal. We realize that FAOs, as a population, are among the most mobile of any members of the Armed Forces -- we appreciate your personal efforts and promise to redouble our own efforts to remain in contact.

Thank you to those of you who contribute your professional and personal efforts to enhance our Association and our FAO community, from those who produce the Journal, to those whose daily professional lives build the worldwide reputation of our Armed Forces' Foreign Area Officers.

Finally, please take the time during the holidays to do something to support our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who cannot be with their loved ones during the holidays.

2004, Foreign Area Officer Association
Herndon, Virginia
Maintained by LTC Steve Gotowicki.
http://www.faoa.org