USAF FAO Notes

Captain Joseph E. Pilcus, III, USAF

The Global Engagement Officer

In response to an Air Force CORONA tasker, members of both the Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs and the Air Force, Directorate of Personnel communities launched a two-day conference to discuss the significant culture shift occurring throughout the Air Force today: The Global Engagement Officer (GEO). Gen John Jumper, COMUSAFE, highlighted the importance of a more globally-aware officer in the next century as we move towards the Expeditionary Air Force (EAF). If the FAO is seen as the "student of the game", then all officers, given initial training to broaden their "international horizons" form the pool from which we build the future cadre of culturally-aware, language proficient, and fully-immersed Foreign Area Officers. To facilitate the idea of a GEO becoming reality, over twenty officers, representing the Air Force Personnel Center, the FAO Branch (SAF/IA), the Defense Language Institute, Air University, Air Force Institute of Technology, AFROTC, United States Air Force Academy, and the Air Force Recruiting Service discussed opportunities and possible rewards in accessions and PME for foreign area studies and language training for officers. Lt Gen Peterson (AF/DP) and BGen Kohler (SAF/IA) kicked off the 2 day GEO-Integrated Process Team (IPT) with statements concerning the "Expeditionary Airman." To handle the monumental undertaking, members of the GEO-IPT formed two functional committees: Education/Language Training and Career Management.

Accessions. The GEO of tomorrow is entering the university today. Throughout our efforts, we resolved to enhance the screening process for USAFA appointments, ROTC scholarship and non-scholarship recruits, and Officer Training School nominees. To develop and encourage the GEO, the Air Force needs to identify and track Foreign Area Studies (FAS) and Language knowledge and experience. In addition, new recruits/cadets would take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (and Defense Language Proficiency Test, if applicable) to identify their aptitude in learning a foreign language. For the curriculum, we proposed interspersing GEO material throughout USAFA, ROTC, and OTS training.

Professional Military Education (PME). One-time training serves no benefit to the student or the Air Force. GEO material must be included in all levels of PME. Only through a methodical, continuous approach can we hope to attain a more globally-aware cadre of officers. Officers will have both regional experience and interest. To further the knowledge of both varieties of GEOs, PME would offer Foreign Area Studies Electives, in either country specific or regional courses. Finally, the assignment community would link follow-on assignments to PME, thereby capitalizing on both the depth and breadth of the GEO's knowledge.

Professional Continuing Education (PCE). For many officers, international affairs / relations has a genuine appeal. To assist these officers in their academic pursuits, the committees offered several military, federal, and civilian opportunities. On the military side, the Air Force needs to garner a greater share of AFIT slots, devoted solely to the international arena. In addition, Education and Training must examine the areas of internships and fellowships. Federal initiatives include augmenting available slots for the courses offered at the Foreign Service Institute. Finally, the civilian side offers the greatest number of opportunities for the internationally minded officer. Through Tuition Assistance (TA) for both an Advanced Academic Degree in Foreign Area Studies and Language Training, Immersion Programs, and Internships, the Air Force will continue to widen the pool of officers necessary to fill the ever-growing demand for FAOs.

Final GEO Thoughts. The future of our GEOs will continue to receive attention as we move toward policy recommendations during the next year. We in the FAO Branch will continue to provide updates on this topic.

FAO Selection Panels

On 2 Aug 99, the FAO Branch recommended 19 of 24 officers considered for the FAO designation. Of the 19 officers recommended for the 16FXX Air Force Specialty Code, we had the following breakdown by rank: LtCol-1, Maj--5, Capt-9, 1LT-3, 2d Lt-I. Our next selection board will convene in October.

Until Next Time

The FAO Branch recently forecasted its Immersion Programs for FY 00. We have 26 languages represented, with over 30 immersions, from Arabic to Vietnamese. We're also looking at applications for the new Area Studies Advanced Program (ASAP). Through this program, an officer would receive funding to travel overseas for the purpose of research on a specific region or in a specific international topic. The members of the FAO Proponent Office continue to work on these and other areas to develop a FAO Program that supports and enhances current and future aerospace operations.

Capt Joseph E. Pilkus III is an Action Officer assigned to the Foreign Area Officer Proponent Branch within the Air Force Attaché Affairs Office

1999, Foreign Area Officer Association
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Maintained by LTC Steve Gotowicki.
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