USMC FAO Notes

1. Upcoming Desk Officer Adjustment. In summer 2007, 6 of the 9 International Issues Branch Officers will vacate their billets: East Asia (PLU-1 and PLU- 2), Western Hemisphere (PLU-4), Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Africa and Israel (PLU- 6), Security Cooperation and Programs (PLU-7), and the International Affairs Officer Program Coordinator (PLU-8). The slate is mostly solidified. Further updates will be provided once orders are published.

2. Sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia FAO to commence In-Country Training (ICT).

          a. Senegal. The FAO-in-training has completed the Naval Postgraduate School, and will graduate DLI in the French Basic Course in mid-February. He deploys to Senegal in March for a 1-year ICT.

          b. Korea. The FAO-in-training has completed Naval Postgraduate School, and will graduate DLI in the Korean Basic Course this month. He deploys to Korea in January for a 6-month ICT.

          c. Both FAOs will first stop at Headquarters Marine Corps for pre-ICT briefs with the Regional Desk Officer, Program Manager, and Branch Head. These briefs will be followed by an additional day at Marine Corps Base Quantico, for briefs with Training and Education Command representatives, the Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning (CAOCL), and the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity.

3. The Marine Corps FY08 LtCol and Col selection boards are estimated to release the results by 26 January 2007, so we'll have to wait until the next FAOA edition to see those results.

4. Upcoming PLU Visit to Monterey. The USMC-French Staff Talks required a shift from the originally planned NPS/DLI Visit of Jan 06, to Feb 06. Those dates have now been solidified. The dates for the visit are 5-8 Feb 07. POC is LtCol Mike Oppenheim at e-mail <michael.oppenheim@usmc.mil>.

5. Proposed FAO Billet Expansion. The Marine Corps is currently working the DOTMLPF issues to support an initiative to create 24 additional FAO billets. These billets will place 3 structured FAO billets at each Marine Expeditionary Force, and the same at each geographic Marine Component. 18 FAO billets are to be coded for LtCol, 6 FAO billets are to be coded for Maj. All are regionally appropriate to the missions and needs of each respective unit. Additionally, current efforts are underway to address inventory production beginning academic year 2008 in order to ensure an initial operational capability by 2011.

6. Marine FAO article featured in Marine Corps Gazette. A Middle East / North Africa FAO-in-training at DLI studying Modern Standard Arabic (and having already completed Naval Postgraduate School), published "How Iran Attacks: A look at an adversary in the global war on terrorism" in the January 07 edition of the Marine Corps Gazette. Before commencing the FAO program, the Officer deployed twice to Iraq as a military police detachment commander. To view the article, go to the following website: .

7. New FAOs and RAOs. The Marine Corps recently concluded its FY07 1^st Qtr FAO/RAO Experience Track Board. The Board reviews packages of officers who have met the requirements for graduate level regional study, in-country experience, and language appropriate proficiency. The Board awarded 8 Officers FAO/RAO designations as follows:

          -5 Latin America FAO designations in Latin America

          -1 Officer received FAO designation n East Asia

          -1 Officer received RAO designation in China (PRC)

          -1 Officer received RAO designation in Middle East North Africa