The Foreign Area Officer Podcast

Major Mike White, Persian instructor at West Point, shares his journey with the U.S. Army, starting from his enlistment in 2002 to becoming a Foreign Area Officer (FAO). Major White elaborates on his experiences learning Dari at the Defense Language Institute, the significance of cultural immersion, and his deployments in Afghanistan and Nepal, where he navigated complex relationships and critical missions. He also underscores the value of writing skills, adaptability, and family resilience. The narrative highlights the power of networking within the FAO community, recounting personal anecdotes on how these connections have supported successful operations, including during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Major White reflects on his storied career and future plans to continue contributing to the community, leveraging his language skills and cultural expertise.

In this episode of The Foreign Area Officer Podcast, Brigadier General Brad Nicholson from the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama provides in-depth insights into the challenges and rewards of serving as a FAO, discusses the importance of mentorship, and offers guidance on navigating assignments, including dealing with the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) challenges. The conversation also explores the evolving role of FAOs in global security contexts and the exciting future ahead for the FAO community.

In this episode of the Foreign Area Officer podcast, I sit down with LTC(P) David Bradley, former Chinese instructor at the United States Military Academy, to explore the intricate dynamics of China's relationships and ambitions. We delve into the one China policy, the complex history and current situations in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and the broader security environment in Eastern Asia. Gain insights into U.S. foreign policy, military strategy, and the crucial role of foreign area officers in navigating the challenging geopolitical landscape posed by China’s actions and strategies. This episode provides valuable insights for comprehending global diplomatic and economic interactions involving China.

Currently serving as the HQDA LNO to the French Army, LTC William Hogan, shares his unique experiences in language learning, IRT in Brazil, the interagency dynamics from Afghanistan to Haiti, and the political challenges as Army Attaché in Mexico and Nicaragua. Hogan reflects on his father's history in WWII as America's youngest tank battalion commander and the importance of preserving military records, which he captures in his recent book Task Force Hogan: The World War II Tank Battalion That Spearheaded the Liberation of Europe.The discussion highlights the complexities and adaptability required in various international assignments, cultural sensitivity, and the importance of interdepartmental and multinational cooperation.

Is there a path to General Officer for U.S. Army FAOs?   In this episode Brigadier General Richard Quirk and his wife Teri explore both professional and personal aspects of FAO careers in the Middle East and North Africa. BG Quirk delves into his journey through the FAO Corps, emphasizing the significance of writing skills, maintaining ethical standards, and transitioning into higher ranks. Teri shares her perspectives on balancing family life with the demands of FAO assignments and her experience working as Community Liaison Officer at the embassy. Join us as we talk about the unique career challenges and responsibilities of FAOs, the importance of adaptability, and the ethical standards they maintain. This episode also explores the dynamics of FAO family life, the challenges of raising children internationally, and the significance of a positive mindset. Essential listening for current FAOs and those considering an international military career.   01:28 Journey to Becoming a FAO 03:47 Choosing the Middle East Pre-9/11 04:36 Impact of 9/11 on FAO Career 05:44 Experiences in the Middle East 06:54 Perceptions of America in the Middle East 13:19 Living and Learning in Tunisia 18:02 Transition to Paris and AFRICOM 20:16 Challenges of Standing Up AFRICOM 26:21 Importance of Writing Skills for FAOs 32:14 First Country Team Assignment in Jordan 32:30 Teri's Role as Community Liaison Officer 35:48 Navigating Embassy Life and Housing 38:26 Ethics and Humility in FAO Career 46:29 General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC) 47:49 FAO Training and Career Progression 48:19 Collaborative Efforts and Key Allies 49:42 Current Focus Areas of the GOSC 49:52 Reviewing the FAO Training Pipeline 52:26 Alignment with National Defense Strategies 53:10 Opportunities for FAO Research 54:24 MEL 4 Pilot Program and Training Flexibility 55:26 Balancing Training Objectives and Resources 57:10 NDS Specific Challenges and Regional Specialization 01:01:19 The Role of FAOs in Counteracting Malign Influence 01:04:03 Communicating GOSC Objectives to the FAO Community 01:09:33 Transitioning from Colonel to General Officer 01:18:23 Supporting FAO Families and Spouses 01:28:35 Final Thoughts and Parting Message

In this episode of The Foreign Area Officer Podcast, Major Sergio Salazar recounts his journey from Puerto Rico to becoming a Spanish instructor at the United States Military Academy. He reflects on his early life, influenced by his brothers and a USMC father, his ambitions in law enforcement and mixed martial arts, and his eventual career in the Army. Major Salazar discusses his extensive deployments in Europe, participation in military exercises such as Atlantic Resolve and Cobra Gold, and his path to becoming a Foreign Area Officer (FAO). We also discuss West Point's foreign language program and Projects Day, emphasizing the inclusion of security cooperation-focused projects and international collaborations, and the crucial role of cultural and linguistic expertise in military operations. 

Is your FAO family prepared to evacuate? In this episode of the Foreign Area Officer podcast, @Anna and COL(R) @Brian Linville, reflect on their extensive experiences and challenges as a FAO family in Libya during the Arab Spring. Brian details his military background and transition to FAO while Anna shares her journey from U.S. Air Force linguist to musician and FAO spouse, culminating in the publication of her book “Broadway in Benghazi.” They discuss relationship-building, the importance of cultural immersion, and evacuation during the Libyan Revolution. The episode also touches on the loss of Ambassador Chris Stevens and the importance of FAOs documenting their experiences for posterity and the community.     Broadway in Benghazi details Anna’s personal and family life as an Airwoman, Musician, and FAO spouse.  It is an incredibly candid and personal account of life Anna’s and family leading up to the Arab Spring in Libya.  It is available in hardback, paperback and digital.  To purchase a copy, visit www.annalinvill.com or https://www.amazon.com/Broadway-Benghazi-Tragedy-Diplomatic-Gaddafis/dp/B0CTBH53RR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1S24U1CLV64GE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kpmpGxd8EjeIlmUWKtnw6G6i4mstig2eNh10JDf5A_fGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.LjtjCyBpLhUy71VsZd6cK4DK-RhIXM9yvdf9E4qmT5I&dib_tag=se&keywords=broadway+in+benghazi&qid=1718324826&sprefix=broadway+in+ben%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-1     00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 00:42 Meet Anna and Brian Linville 01:04 Brian's Journey to Becoming a FAO 07:12 Anna's Unique Path to the Military 09:53 The Importance of Language Skills 14:23 The Role of FAO Spouses 16:49 Adventures and Challenges of Military Life 25:50 Anna's Musical Journey 32:32 Building Relationships in Libya 36:49 The Strategic Value of Relationships 46:06 Building Crucial Relationships 47:05 Unexpected Allies in the Revolution 49:00 Theater and Political Satire 51:58 The Revolution's Dark Turn 54:58 A Shift to Peace Activism 01:01:29 Writing 'Broadway in Benghazi' 01:05:37 Diplomatic Life and Personal Stories 01:11:56 Preparing for Libya 01:14:46 A Detainment Story 01:25:30 Post-Detention Reflections 01:26:03 The Importance of JMAS Training 01:27:22 Evacuation from Libya Begins 01:28:43 Tensions and Preparations 01:29:44 The Uprising and Its Impact 01:34:10 Evacuation Attempts and Challenges 01:37:25 Final Departure and Reflections 01:45:15 Tribute to Chris Stevens 01:50:23 Closing Thoughts and Book Promotion

Why isn't there a dedicated FAO career field for Army NCOs? From Military Leadership to Literary Success: Randy Surles's Journey and Vital Tips for Retirees In this compelling episode, retired Command Sergeant Major Randy Surles delves into his military career working with foreign partners, including his role in a nascent FAO NCO program and missions in South America and Africa. We also explore Randy's post-retirement journey as a book coach and editor, highlighting his efforts to guide others in transforming their ideas into published works. He provides invaluable advice on navigating VA and TRICARE benefits, especially for those planning to reside overseas, and shares the significance of early preparation for a smooth transition to civilian life. Randy also shares practical tips for integrating healthcare benefits and personalized guidance on military retirement and literary pursuits.

In this episode of the Foreign Area Officer podcast, Lieutenant Colonel Pete Roongsang, provides a deep dive into the life, career, and insights of a seasoned Foreign Area Officer (FAO). LTC Roongsang shares his journey from his first assignment in Timor Leste to significant roles in Thailand and the Pentagon, highlighting key lessons and experiences gained along the way. The conversation also covers the evolving landscape of FAO assignments, the strategic importance of FAOs within the U.S. Army and Department of Defense, and the critical values that guide an FAO's career. Additionally, LTC Roongsang, currently serving as the FAO Branch Chief, discusses new initiatives and changes within the FAO program and offers valuable advice to FAOs for professional development and personal conduct. 00:00 Introduction to the Foreign Area Officer Podcast 00:50 Guest Introduction: LTC Pete Roongsang 01:23 First FAO Assignment: Chief of Defense Cooperation in Timor Leste 03:33 Collaboration and Impact in Timor Leste 08:01 Working with International Partners 10:27 Developing East Timor's Defense Capabilities 18:39 Transition to Thailand: A Personal and Professional Journey 19:29 FAO Career Path: From West Point to Thailand 29:36 Strengthening U.S.-Thai Defense Alliance 35:38 The Power of Interagency Collaboration 39:37 The Importance of Communication Channels in Security Cooperation 40:28 Transitioning to Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Policy Work 41:33 The Unique Value FAOs Bring to OSD Policy 45:26 Challenges and Strategies for FAOs in Civilian Institutions 47:53 The Role and Impact of the FAO Branch Chief 51:23 Evolving FAO Assignments and the Introduction of DSCS 01:03:12 Optimizing the FAO Training Pipeline and Career Management 01:06:09 Final Thoughts and Advice for FAOs

COL(R) John Haseman  is a member of the DIA Defense Attaché Service Hall of Fame and a specialist in southeast asian political-military affairs.  He served in Vietnam as a military intelligence officer and district-level advisor and is one of very few Military Intelligence officers to earn the Combat Infantryman Badge.  His Vietnam service led him into the Foreign Area Officer program where he served overseas tours in Indonesia, Burma and Thailand.  A prolific writer, COL Haseman is the editor of the Foreign Area Officer Association Journal of International Affairs.     Check out his books! In the Mouth of the Dragon: Memoir of a District Advisor in the Making Delta, 1971-1973. https://a.co/d/diqKv6m The Thai Resistance Movement During World War II https://a.co/d/267J172   

Lieutenant Colonel Jason Morales was raised in Naranjito on the island of Puerto Rico and has been an Engineer Officer, Special Forces Officer, and finally a foreign area officer during his military career, now serving in Office of Defense Coordination in Mexico City.  Jason served previous tours in Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, and as an army inter-agency fellow at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

MAJ Neil Law is a native of Queens, New York, Neil currently serves as a U.S. Army foreign area officer in Port-au-Prince Haiti. He received his commission as a transportation officer from SUNY Albany, and completed two deployments to Afghanistan before assessing into the FAO career field and completing in-region training in Mexico City. He is fluent in Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Cantonese and Spanish. 

Emma Shade is a U. S. Army Signal Officer from Georgia. She currently serves as Desk Officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency covering Sub Saharan Africa. Emma speaks French and Arabic, which she used in her assignments in N'Djamena Chad as the Chief of the Office of Security Cooperation and at SETAF-AF in Vicenza, Italy as the Sub Saharan Africa Desk Officer. She completed her IRT at the U. S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.   Alex Shade is from Ridgewood, New Jersey. A graduate of the Citadel Military College, he commissioned as a U.S. Army Armor Officer, where he served for two years before transitioning to Military Intelligence.  An Arabic and German speaker, he currently serves on the Joint Staff J5 on the Israel Desk. Previous assignments include Army Attaché in N'Djamena, Chad, including nine months as Acting SDO/DATT, North Africa Desk Officer at SETAF-AF in Vicenza, Italy, and he completed his IRT at U. S. Embassy in Rabat, Morocco. 

MAJ Matt Saunders is an infantry officer at Latin America. Pharaoh currently earning his master's degree at the Harvard Kennedy school of government.  He is a Spanish speaker and completed his IRT at us embassy, Mexico city.   Dr. Madison Saunders is a practicing clinical audiologist. She earned her bachelor's of arts in communication, sciences, and disorders from LSU in 2012. And her doctorate of audiology from the university of Kansas medical center in 2017. 

Lieutenant Colonel Wes Chaney is an infantry officer who currently serves as the Director for CENTCOM Regional Operations at the United States Army Security Assistance Command.  In previous assignments has served as the Foreign Area Officer Branch Chief, SDO/DATT in Côte d’Ivoire and in Djibouti as the Chief of the Security Cooperation Office.  He also served assignments at the Army G-3/5/7 and in the U.S. Army’s Africa and Southern European Task force.  Lieutenant Colonel Chaney is married and is the proud father of two children.