Tradition Meets Tomorrow: FAOA's Legacy of Leadership
Serving FAOs, International Specialists, and their Families
The Foreign Area Officer Association is a Non-Profit 501(C)19
FAOA Annual Black Tie Gala, May 9, Army Navy Country Club
The 2025 FAOA GALA was a blast!!
Our Keynote Speaker this year was Mr. Mike Miller, Director DSCA.
Thanks to the Take 3 Band for entertaining us!
Ticket Link here:
For access to the Gala Photos go to:
https://jenifermorris.smugmug.com/Client-Images/Events-Awards-Galas/Foreign-Area-Officer-Association/2025-Gala The password is International
Join the FAO+Connect Community ➽
Join the FAO+Connect Community ➽
FAOA membership starts with FAO+Connect and setting up your account means you are joining FAOA (FAO+Connect is how we track active membership).
FAO+Connect is your gateway to an unparalleled community of Foreign Area Officers and international specialists. Engage in discussions, access mentorship opportunities, and dive into a wealth of resources tailored to your professional growth. Stay informed about upcoming FAOA events, connect with peers across the globe, and tap into our FAO Bridge program to transition your military expertise into new, impactful civilian roles. Join FAO+Connect and be part of a community that's shaping the future of international affairs.
Current FAOA Members: If you are already a FAOA member, create a FAO+Connect account—it is included in your membership - send a note to membership@faoa.org, we will get you in - we will send you a log in token before you set up your account. Note: your previous log-in credential to our old website will not get you in. If you are a lifetime member, please send us a note so we can properly configure your account prior to setting up your FAO+Connect account. Seeking Membership in FAOA: If you are joining FAOA today, FAO+Connect is the forum to do so. FAOA membership is $60 a year, which goes to the non-profit supporting our FAOs and their families through our Advocacy, Bridge and Cultivate Pillars. FAOA reserves the right to decline membership applications.
Advocacy: Empowering Our Serving FAOs
At the core of our Advocacy pillar is the unwavering commitment to champion the interests and advancement of Foreign Area Officers and serving their families. We dedicate ourselves to influencing policy, fostering a united FAO community, and ensuring our voices are heard and respected across the defense and diplomatic arenas. Through advocacy, we aim to bolster the professional growth and recognition of FAOs, leveraging our collective expertise to shape outcomes that matter. Advocacy within FAOA is about making a difference—uniting, engaging, and driving positive change for our community and beyond.
Cultivate: Amplifying Our Collective Influence
The Cultivate pillar fosters the growth of our community’s expertise, networks, and impact, ensuring FAOs and international specialists are at the forefront of global engagement. Through key initiatives like the FAOA Journal, FAOs on Tap, the Annual Black Tie Gala, and the "Context is Everything" panel series, we provide platforms for knowledge-sharing, professional development, and strategic dialogue.
Mentorship programs further enrich this pillar by passing along experiences and lessons learned between FAOs at all experience levels, strengthening the profession across generations. Additionally, our interactive FAO Connect platform enables FAOs and their spouses to engage with peers worldwide, sharing professional insights and practical guidance on navigating life abroad—from career opportunities to cultural adaptation and everyday living in diverse global environments.
FAOA Chapters and Interest Groups Around the Globe
Connect locally and globally with FAOA! Whether you're in Korea, Monterey, Hawaii, or Germany, our chapters and interest groups bring FAO professionals together to share insights, foster camaraderie, and collaborate on initiatives that resonate with our mission. Our Korea, Fort Leavenworth, DC, Huntsville, and Monterey Chapters, along with the Hawaii and Germany Provisional Chapters, offer unique opportunities for engagement and networking in your region. We are thrilled to announce that we anticipate our Hawaii and Germany Provisional Chapters evolving into full chapters in 2025. Embrace the chance to enhance your FAOA experience and make an impact within your local community by joining or initiating events and discussions through these dynamic groups. Connect with the chapters in FAO+Connect.
Bridge: Connecting Expertise to Opportunity
The Bridge pillar embodies our dedication to connecting FAOs and internationally focused NCOs with civilian industries, institutions, and organizations that value their unique international expertise. FAO Bridge is the Foreign Area Officer Association’s career transition initiative designed to equip FAOs and internationally focused NCOs for life after military service. As members approach retirement or separation, FAO Bridge provides structured, high-impact support through a multi-part program that includes:
Professional Transition Coaching – Delivered in partnership with the Leadership Transition Institute (LTI), offering resume development, interview preparation, and one-on-one career guidance.
Mentorship – Pairing transitioning FAOs with seasoned professionals who have successfully navigated the civilian sector.
Virtual Job Fairs – Hosted in collaboration with Hiring Our Heroes, connecting FAOs directly with companies and institutions actively seeking global-minded talent.
Digital Resource Hub – A dedicated space within FAO Connect offering job postings, tools, and educational materials.
Corporate and Institutional Outreach – Building partnerships with employers across sectors who value FAO skills in strategy, security cooperation, and international engagement.
FAO Bridge reflects our belief that the leadership, cultural fluency, and problem-solving capabilities FAOs develop in service are not only relevant—but in high demand—across a wide array of civilian careers. The program exists to help our members carry their mission-driven mindset and global acumen into their next chapter, with purpose and support.
Sponsor Engagement: Empower and Connect
Partner with FAOA, which is a non-profit 501(c)19. FAOA is the premier hub of security cooperation and foreign policy experts, including skilled attaches, policymakers, advisors to foreign partners, security cooperation officers, and internationally focused non-commissioned officers. Your sponsorship will go towards supporting FAOs and their families through a variety of programs to include scholarships, the FAO Bridge transition program, and support & advocacy programs. Engage with our community, support their transition, and align your brand with our mission at key events like the Annual Black Tie Gala and our “FAOs on Tap” community events. Leverage this unique collaboration to enhance your strategic goals and support a seamless transition of expertise from military to civilian sectors.
