Record attendance at JFAOC on the Presidio

by | Jun 13, 2016 | FAO News, News

By Natela Cutter
DLIFLC Public Affairs


 

160607-A-LA916-043

Key note speaker Rear Adm. David Manero, who is slated to be the next defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, addresses some 200 FAOs and their spouses during a course hosted at the Presidio of Monterey June 6-10. (Photo by Amber K. Whittington, DLIFLC Public Affairs)

MONTEREY, Calif. – More than 200 officers attended the Joint Foreign Area Officer Course held at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center June 6-10 at the Weckerling Center on the Presidio of Monterey.

“I have come all the way from Romania to attend this course,” said Lt. Cmdr. John Amiral, who currently works as the director of the Joint Visitor Bureau at the U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System Romania. “This is a great opportunity to learn about our profession, but also to meet people and network.”

The five-day course that includes spouses, is held biannually at the Presidio of Monterey and is meant to prepare newly minted FAOs for their careers where they are expected to serve as defense attachés, security cooperation officers and political-military planners worldwide. As a part of this training, many FAOs attend a language course at the Presidio and or attend the neighboring Naval Postgraduate School to obtain highly specialized Master degrees.

“Some day you will get a call from a four star (general or admiral) who will ask you for your opinion,” regarding a political situation,” said key note speaker Rear Adm. David Manero who is going to be the next defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

DLIFLC Commandant Col. Phillip Deppert (left), speaks with guest speaker Brig. Gen. Joseph Rank (right) at the Weckerling Center at the JFAOC, as FAO Director Col. Roger Bowman looks on. Rank is currently serving as the senior defense attaché in the United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Amber K. Whittington. DLIFLC Public Affairs)

Sharing his experiences as a seasoned FAO, Manero told the audience to “Get out there and mingle with people who are not necessarily part of the military,” referring to living abroad on assignment. “Use ‘direct osmosis’ and move about the society…don’t put the (foreign) language away but read and know the current events and history.”

Brig. Gen. Joseph Rank, a DLIFLC graduate of Hebrew and Arabic, currently assigned to the United Arab Emirates as the senior defense attaché, spoke to FAOs about their future roles when attached to U.S. Embassies around the world.

“My FAOs are worth two or three non-FAOs because they have language and culture expertise and effectively know how to communicate. It is like having a first year medical student versus having a M.D. on your staff. The level of understanding they bring clearly leads to results.”

“Just last month we had an inaugural ribbon cutting for our facility and welcomed the NATO secretary general, the president of Romania, the foreign minister, etc.,” said Amiral, referring to the May 12 event he participated in. The Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System received its operational certification which is considered a key milestone in the development of a NATO ballistic missile defense system in Europe.

The concept of equipping military officers with regional expertise, language skills, and knowledge of U.S. and foreign political-military relationships dates back to 1889 when the U.S. sent permanent military attaches to London, England, Paris, France, Vienna, Austria and Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Taking on the challenge of standardization

Taking on the challenge of standardization

One of the leading efforts within the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center’s five-year strategic plan is the standardization of curriculum and evaluation that will drive consistency in student outcomes across all language programs offered by the Institute.

From Moscow to Monterey: a linguistic odyssey

From Moscow to Monterey: a linguistic odyssey

In the heart of America’s melting pot, Irina Anokhin stands as a testament to the power of language and the resilience of the human spirit. Her story, a blend of multiculturalism and dedication, stretches from the bustling streets of Moscow to the academic halls of the United States, where she now serves as a bridge between cultures in her role with the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center.

From apprentice to master: Commandant’s vision

From apprentice to master: Commandant’s vision

Col. James A. Kievit, a former infantry officer and currently a U.S. Army Special Operations Civil Affairs officer with multiple overseas deployments, is no stranger to challenge, on or off the battlefield. Behind his unassuming and quiet demeanor lies a brilliant tactician, concealed by his imposing six-foot three-inch physique that instantly commands respect whether he wears colonel wings or not.