"We must continue to embrace the vital contributions that our partners can make in securing the global
commons. . . Whenever and wherever the opportunity exists, we must develop and sustain relationships that improve the capacity of our emerging and enduring partners' maritime forces to achieve common desired effects."
-- CNO Guidance for 2007.
The Navy's new Maritime Strategy continues to take form, and as it does it is ever more evident that the Navy Foreign Area Officer community will be a critical component in its implementation. Deploying with a Global Fleet Station, participating in interagency crisis-response, coordinating security assistance and cooperation to build partner capacity, and promoting the 1000-ship Navy concept, also known as the Global Maritime Partnership, are just a few of the tenets of the new strategy that will call for FAO support. While we certainly won't be acting alone, the stage is being set for the Navy FAO to play a central role in future maritime security planning and operations.
The good news is that as demand grows stronger, so do we. Our community currently stands at 98 Officers, with 31 of those 98 already serving in FAO billets. Another 45 New Build FAOs are presently in training, and the June 2007 Lateral Transfer Board will add 26 new members to our ranks. The quality and diversity of FAO- candidates remains impressive, and all indications are that June's board will be the most competitive yet. We are on schedule to grow to over 300 personnel by 2012.
Equally as important, we continue to mature as an independent Navy community. Our first group of FAO-designated officers eligible for promotion to 0-6 were screened in January by the promotion board and those eligible for O-5 are being screened in February. Existing billets are in the process of being re-designated for FAOs, and identification of additional FAO billets could be on the horizon as commands continue to drive for more in-country representation and expertise. Meanwhile, operational leadership opportunities are starting to become available for new Naval Expeditionary Combat Command's Maritime Civil Affairs Group.
So, we are on course and making speed. And with the anticipated debut of the new Maritime Strategy later this year, we can expect to be called more than ever. It's a great time to be a FAO . . . it's a historic time to be a Navy FAO.