AFAOA 1st Year in Review
The first year of any unit is the hardest. The association is proud to say the first year of the Army Foreign Area Officer Association has been a success. We say this knowing that the association has plenty of room to improve and grow. If you are interested in assisting please reach out to us at armyfaoassociation@gmail.com. For transparency, the association is a fully IRS accredited 501(c) non-profit association, with it’s own bank account, and is associated with a voting Board of Governors.
Bi-annual newsletter 1 AFAOA Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 1
AFAOA held our first annual meeting in Washington D.C. on 13 OCt 2024 and we awarded some of the first awardees of the Military Order of Lafayette:2024 Military Order of Lafayette Awardees
AFAOA supports and contributes to Mike Hill’s FAO Podcast – check out the first podcasts here: FAO Podcasts
AFAOA History – look at our listing of the history of the Army’s FA48. This listing is about half of the notations for the upcoming history book: Army FAO Historical Documents
AFAOA Socials: September 24th:
Thanks to Chris Post, our social chair, for all his efforts this year while doing language training (Vietnamese) and then on to JHU SAIS. Also thanks to MG Harmon for his mentoring.
Army FAO Firsts and Seconds:
Seconds: BG Allen Pepper took command from BG Jason (Brad) Nicholson: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/935908/usasac-assumption-command The first of this was BG Garrick Harmon transferring command of USASAC to COL(P) Brad Nicholson.
Firsts: COL Raj Singleton assumes command of WHINSEC http://Historic Appointment: WHINSEC Welcomes Its First Black Commandant.
Army FAO Association Merchandise: Buy Army FAO Association hoodies, shirts, cups, etc. here: AFAOA Merchandise Store
Promotions: Congratulations to Col. David M. Kobs for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Kobs is currently serving as senior defense official and defense attaché, U.S. Defense Attaché Office, Egypt.
Books published:
48B Will Hogan: Task Force Hogan: The World War II Tank Battalion That Spearheaded the Liberation of Europe
48J Wes Chaney: Advice for a U.S. Security Cooperation Officer Serving in Africa
48P Jack Leide: Professional Courage: My Journey in Military Intelligence Through Peace, Crisis, and War
Hall of Fame: Army FAO Hall of Fame
2025: AFAOA’s Goals
Academic Journal: Look out for a call out message soon for AFAOA’s first academic journal – any recommedations for a name?
Bi-annual newsletters: We are always looking for Stories from IRT and FAOs in Action articles – please email armyfaoassociation@gmail.com with your submission.
Save the dates:
- Jan 2025 call out message for articles for the annual academic article
- Feb 2025 – bi-annual newsletter
- Revealing of the FAO Plaque at the National Museuem of the US Army 08 or 15 March 2025
- 2nd Annual Meeting 12 Oct 2025 – Washington D.C. (More seats this time and less noise!!!)