USMC Notes

LtCol John May, International Affairs Officer Program Coordinator

The assignment process looms large for the International Affairs Officer Program (IAOP) during this quarter; close coordination between PLU and MMOA remains the critical element in ensuring that the IAOP population is effectively utilized. Due to operational tempo and competing requirements, only 6 RAOs will graduate from NPS and be available for assignments in FY05; an additional 9 study-track FAOs will be completing operational tours and be due for a utilization tour. Augmented by an additional 14 IAOS designated through the experience-track selection process, this pool of qualified officers will be sufficient to meet the requirements that have been identified to manpower.

Marine commands committed to OIF continue to exploit the capabilities of Arabic speaking, MidEast FAOs. There are ten FAOs in direct support of tactical units deployed to Iraq--including the two most recent graduates of DLI, Majors Karega and Logue, whose ICT was preempted by the demands of the force--and another three assigned to units preparing to join in subsequent phases of the operation. The integration of these FAOs down to the battalion level reinforces the value of a FAO's unique skills as a combat enabler.

All FAOs selected in FY01 completed ICT during FY04 and most have returned to billets supporting the operating forces in their primary occupational specialties. Those who completed training and were designated "full mission capable" were: Capt Avila/ French/ ICT in Senegal/Sub-Saharan Africa; Major Ercolano/Japanese/ICT in Osaka/ East Asia; Major Finney/Spanish and Portuguese/ICT in Brazil/Latin America; Major Lucius/Bhasa/ICT in Jakarta/East Asia; Capt McLaughlin/Serbo-Croatian/ICT in Zagreb/ Eastern Europe; Capt Rizner/Vietnamese/ICT in Hanoi/ East Asia; Major Rosser/Korean/ ICT in Seoul/East Asia; Major Sbragia/Chinese/ICT in Beijing/China; and Major Thurman/Russian/ICT in Moscow/FSU.

FY02-selected FAOs completed language training during this reporting period and began ICT at the following sites: Capt Cherry in Japan, Major Connolly in China, Major Freeman in Turkey, Major Knapp in Republic of Philippines, Major Middleton in Korea, Major Reas in Thailand, and Major Smith in Moscow.

As always, the International Issues Branch (PLU), PP&O, HQMC welcomes comments and suggestions regarding the administration of the IAOP. Please see the FAO Proponent Page in this Journal for POC information.

2005, Foreign Area Officer Association
Herndon, Virginia
Maintained by LTC Steve Gotowicki.
http://www.faoa.org