scope:

Purpose

a. To prescribe policy and promulgate guidance governing Department of the Navy (DON) Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Programs.

b. To achieve national security objectives and continued success in current and future operations (including Overseas Contingency Operations), the DON must be prepared to conduct and support military operations with an expanding number of coalition partners in a diverse set of geopolitical conditions around the world. Success in these operations, and on the asymmetric battlefields of the future, requires specialized officers with a sophisticated understanding of the international security environment. Navy and Marine Corps FAOs provide critical war fighting capabilities, including professional military skills, and proficiency and understanding of language, regional expertise and culture (LREC) , to influence plans and operations, build and strengthen international partnerships, and serve as key enablers for joint, maritime, and expeditionary forces.

Applicability. The provisions of this instruction are applicable to the Navy and Marine Corps.