Fellow AFAOA members,
We look forward to providing our members with the most up to date information on Army FAOs worldwide. The association does this mainly through our bi-annual newsletter, which is planned to publish on 01 September 2025. If you have anything you would like to contribute please submit to armyfaoassociation@gmail.com by 15 August 2025. We are always looking for photos of FAOs in Action, FAO War Stories, Stories from IRT, changes or updates to the field, etc.
FAO Podcasts – check out the most recent editions of Mike Hill’s FAO Podcast below:
#21 – LTG (R) Charles Hooper
When I started this project, LTG(R) Charles Hooper at the top of my list of FAOs I wanted to interview. Our discussion begins with a tribute to the late Colonel Sue Ann Sandusky, detailing her pioneering career in the FAO community and her impactful service in Sub-Saharan Africa. General Hooper reflects on his personal and professional relationship with Sandusky, highlighting her fearlessness and groundbreaking achievements. The conversation then delves into Hooper’s own FAO journey, describing the development and evolution of his career, including the challenges and triumphs of being dual-tracked in the early years of the program. We touch on the historical context of U.S.-China military relations, the importance of understanding China’s strategic culture, and General Hooper’s advocacy for cross-fertilization and single-tracking in FAO careers. The episode also features discussions on the value of Pentagon assignments, strategies for effective leadership and management as a FAO, and the need for FAOs to engage in writing and contributing to the discourse on international affairs.
https://theforeignareaofficerpodcast.podbean.com/e/21-ltgr-charles-hooper/
#22 – COL(R) Denny Lane
This conversation with COL (R) Denny Lane covers his unexpected path to becoming a FAO, his initial appointment as a Southeast Asian desk officer at the Pentagon, and his subsequent assignments in critical geopolitical regions including Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during tumultuous times. Lane details his work on the Yellow Rain investigations, his advisory roles in the Thai and Cambodian armies, and his linguistic prowess in French, Chinese, and Thai. The dialogue also covers his later roles in Hong Kong, Beijing, and with the United Nations Border Relief Operation (UNBRO) in Thailand, where he reported on the Khmer Rouge.
https://theforeignareaofficerpodcast.podbean.com/e/22-colr-denny-lane/
#23 – COL(R) Rick Cassidy
In this episode of the Foreign Area Officer Podcast, we hear from U.S. Army COL(R) Rick Cassidy. Cassidy shares a detailed account of his military career, beginning with his involvement in the ROTC program at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and subsequent commissioning as an infantry officer in 1969. His military journey included assignments in Germany and a combat tour in Vietnam. Cassidy transitioned into the Foreign Area Officer (FAO) program in 1975, where ultimately focused on Japan. His language training included a year at DLI and the Foreign Service Institute in Yokohama, Japan. Cassidy recounts his experiences managing significant bilateral relations and intelligence collection, notably as an attache in Japan and Thailand. He closes with his post-retirement career as a defense consultant, sharing insights into the business practices and challenges in international military sales.
https://theforeignareaofficerpodcast.podbean.com/e/23-colr-rick-cassidy/
#24 – CAPT USCG Aaron Delano Johnson
USCG Captain Aaron Delano Johnson is the U.S. Coast Guard Liaison Officer (CGLO) to the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in Doral, Florida. IN this interview CAPT DJ provides detailed insights into his career, spanning multiple international deployments and engagement with various partner nations. He discusses the diverse roles and missions of the Coast Guard, including maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, drug interdiction, and international cooperation, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America. Johnson highlights the specific challenges and interactions the Coast Guard faces in countries like Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. He also elaborates on the Coast Guard’s involvement in broader security cooperation activities, security training, and humanitarian assistance. Beyond his Coast Guard duties, Johnson serves on the board of the Foreign Area Officer Association, promoting advocacy, professional development, and networking among FAOs across different services. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the strategic importance of the Coast Guard’s international role and the value of strong inter-agency and international relationships.
https://theforeignareaofficerpodcast.podbean.com/e/24-capt-uscg-aaron-delano-johnson/
#25 – COL Christian Werner
Join me for a conversation with Colonel Christian Werner, who currently serves at the U.S. Army War College. COL Werner shares his origin story of joining the Army influenced by his family’s military background, his transition from Armor to FAO, and his extensive career path through various European assignments. He highlights his experiences in command and staff roles, the importance of language skills, and his impactful stint in Somalia as SDO/DATT. Werner also discusses his personal challenges, concepts like moral injury, and the importance of behavioral health. He explains the role and operations of the U.S. Military Observer Group and shares insights into SSC opportunities, language sustainment, and the rigorous BCAP/CCAP screening processes for command roles.
https://theforeignareaofficerpodcast.podbean.com/e/25-col-christian-werner/
#26 – FA59 COL Nathan Finney, Army Strategist
Join me for an interview with U.S. Army Colonel Nate Finney, an Army Strategist (FA59), discussing the roles and training of FA59 strategists, their relationship with FAOs, and the importance of building interdisciplinary teams. Finney shares insights from his career, including positions at HQDA, USARPAC, and Indo-Pacific Command, highlighting the need for strategists and FAOs to collaborate effectively. The conversation also explores Finney’s involvement in founding writing and strategy-oriented organizations like the Strategy Bridge and the Military Writers Guild, emphasizing writing as a critical tool for professional development. The episode concludes with a discussion on recent changes in U.S.-China relations, China’s military modernization, and the strategic challenges faced by the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region.
https://theforeignareaofficerpodcast.podbean.com/e/26-col-nathan-finney-army-strategist/
#27 – COL(R) USAF Matt Yocum
Join me for a conversation with USAF Col. (Ret.) Matt Yocum as we delve into his unique career trajectory, starting from his non-standard background in the Air Force’s acquisition and engineering fields. Matt discusses his pivotal assignments, including his time in Israel as part of the Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program and later as an Air Force attaché, where he navigated through significant events like the Second Lebanon War. This episode also explores his role as a Commander’s Action Group (CAG) director at CENTCOM, where he was instrumental in providing detailed and narratively rich reports on international engagements. Matt reflects on the importance of storytelling in military communication and its impact on effective diplomacy. The talk also covers his post-military career as a writer of comic books and graphic novels, highlighting his passion for the art form and his current projects, including a biographical graphic novel on a notable Pakistani figure. Throughout the episode, Matt emphasizes the significance of relationship-building, effective communication, and relentless helpfulness in both military and personal endeavors.
https://theforeignareaofficerpodcast.podbean.com/e/27-colr-usaf-matt-yocum/
#28 – LTC Lemar Farhad, USA
This episode of the Foreign Area Officer Podcast delves into the unique background of LTC Lemar Farhad, USA, tracing his journey from a culturally diverse upbringing and Afghan heritage to his pivotal role in the U.S. Army. Lemar shares his transition into the FAO program, starting with his early assignments as an infantry and intelligence officer and detailing his first exposure to U.S. embassies and defense cooperation. Through captivating anecdotes, he highlights his significant assignments, including his work in Special Operations Command Europe, his impactful tenure as the ODC Chief in Kuala Lumpur, and his current role in Korea focusing on non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO). The conversation also explores challenges in leadership, the importance of understanding cultural contexts, and the value of reading to gain diverse perspectives. Lemar’s journey exemplifies the integration of strategic thinking and operational expertise, emphasizing the art of diplomacy and the FAO community’s crucial role in global defense and cooperation.
https://theforeignareaofficerpodcast.podbean.com/e/28-ltc-lemar-farhad-usa/
#29 – COL Matt Kopp, USA
Join me for an illuminating discussion with Colonel Matt Kopp, a U.S. Army FAO. We explore Colonel Kopp’s beginning as a 48B, focusing on pivotal partnerships in Latin America, particularly during the final phases of Colombia’s Civil War. Colonel Kopp shares insights into his transition to a 48J, concentrating on Sub-Saharan Africa, and the critical need to understand and respond to the human and institutional complexities in these regions. The conversation includes discussions on his operational challenges, such as managing high-profile visits and interagency coordination, and the role of psychology and sociology in his duties. We also touch upon his work with the Army Foreign Area Officer Association, focusing on mentorship, fostering academic discourse, and preparing FAOs for influential second careers.
https://theforeignareaofficerpodcast.podbean.com/e/29-col-matt-kopp-usa/