Captain Suzanna Brugler's journey from a small Ohio town to a distinguished career as a Foreign Area Officer (FAO) is nothing short of inspirational. Hear how her parents' visit to the Naval Academy ignited a passion that led her to Annapolis and beyond. As one of the pioneering women enrolling at the Academy in the late '90s, Suzanna has navigated a traditionally male-dominated institution with resilience and poise, offering invaluable insights into seizing leadership opportunities and embracing diverse career paths.

Join us as we unravel the complexity of the FAO role in the Navy. These global strategic operators are vital in crafting and executing international plans. Suzanna discusses the essential components of being a FAO, including language training and cultural immersion, and shares her on-the-ground experiences as the U.S. Naval Mission Chief in Colombia. Discover the intricate dance of international cooperation and the strategic importance of partnerships with allies in enhancing security efforts worldwide.

Aspiring to become a FAO? We've got you covered. Dive into the selection process, from mastering languages through the Defense Language Institute to understanding the Navy's strategic needs. The episode also highlights the unique career transitions available to Naval Academy graduates, underscoring the importance of gaining operational experience before embracing a FAO role. Suzanna offers guidance for midshipmen pondering this path, emphasizing networking and strategic career moves to set themselves on a successful trajectory. Whether you're interested in a military career or just curious about the inner workings of international military operations, this episode is packed with stories, advice, and a look at the future for naval officers.

The mission of Academy Insider is to guide, serve, and support Midshipmen, future Midshipmen, and their families.

Grant Vermeer your host is the person who started it all. He is the founder of Academy Insider and the host of The Academy Insider podcast and the USNA Property Network Podcast. He was a recruited athlete which brought him to Annapolis where he was a four year member of the varsity basketball team. He was a cyber operations major and commissioned into the Cryptologic Warfare Community. He was stationed at Fort Meade and supported the Subsurface Direct Support mission.

He separated from the Navy in 2023 and now owns The Vermeer Group, a boutique residential real estate company that specializes in serving the United States Naval Academy community PCSing to California & Texas.

We are here to be your guide through the USNA experience.

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