Navy FAO Notes

CDR Charles Livingston, USN
Navy FAO Proponent Chief

USN Foreign Area Officer Picture

The goal of the Foreign Area Officer (FAO) program is to develop Naval Officers with the political-military education and experience to influence regional events and policy. Using their unique combination of professional military skills, regional expertise, language competency, and politico-military awareness, FAOs will advance U.S. interests in a country or region, and enhance the effectiveness of Navy interactions with foreign navies, militaries and foreign affairs organizations.

When not serving in their warfare communities, FAOs will serve in FAO-designated billets. FAOs are designated in one of four geographic regions: Middle East/ Africa/ South Asia, East Asia/Pacific, Western Hemisphere, and Europe/Eurasia. FAO billets are located on the staff of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) staff, United States Defense Attaché offices and other overseas staffs. A complete listing of FAO billets and information detailing the FAO program can be found on the FAO web page at http://www.hq. navy.mil/n3n5/faol.htm

Naval Personnel Command (BUPERS) and OPNAV are working hard to identify and support this viable career option by monitoring key regional policy assignments and ensuring FAO designated officers are competitive for command at sea.

OPNAV N52 regional branches, in conjunction with the OPNAV FAO program manager, will assist BUPERS in managing FAO billet assignments to ensure the right FAO is placed in the right job. The BUPERS FAO placement officer will work closely with warfare community detailers to provide the most effective FAO placement. Selection as a FAO does not usurp the normal sea dutyshore duty rotation.

Promotion rates for FAOs (current force of 375) were equal to fleet averages in URL and RL communities. The FAO selection process is very competitive. To be successful in the FAO program you must be competitive in your warfare community. Application to the FAO program is only the first step towards selection as a FAO. Sustained superior performance, as always, is the key factor at FAO selection boards. The third FAO board will be conducted 4-8 October 99.

Language training for FAOs will depend on follow-on billet assignment requirements and individual officer language proficiency. Postgraduate education, if required, should occur at expected windows during a normal career progression.

The Navy of the 21" century needs officers with proven operational backgrounds and regional, political expertise. Navy leadership encourages every naval officer to take a look at the USNFAO program. Questions can be forwarded to the OPNAV FAO program manager, CDR Chuck Livingston at (703) 695-4881. Good Luck to all FYOO FAO applicants!

1999, Foreign Area Officer Association
Springfield, Virginia
Maintained by LTC Steve Gotowicki.
http://www.faoa.org