Admiral Stavridis take the lead at USNI. Here's a selection from his huge corpus of writing.

Admiral Stavridis selected to take the lead at USNI upon retirement. Here's a selection from his huge corpus of writing.

When I first met Lieutenant Commander James Stavridis in 1989, I

ADM Stavridis, SOUTHCOM Commander

had no idea that one day he would be the gold standard for what the U.S. Naval Institute is all about. Since he was a midshipman at the Naval Academy, he has been a faithful and thoughtful member of this professional society, and the depth and breadth of what he has written for the open forum—while remarkably still managing to rise steadily in the ranks to a four-star admiral—is unprecedented. I remember when he visited our headquarters in Beach Hall soon after he earned his first star and I greeted him as "admiral." Instantly, his reply was, "C'mon, Fred. In this family, I'll always be Jim." Family indeed. As we watch for Admiral Jim's next career move, his fellow family members are all proud to say we knew him when. We hope you enjoy this sentimental journey in words that spans his entire distinguished Navy career.

-Fred Schultz, Managing Editor, Proceeding

Read the whole selection here: 

http://www.usni.org/selected-writings-admiral-james-g-stavridis-us-navy

November FAO/RAO/RAS/PAS Events

November FAO Events

09 November

1730-UTC

Conversations in Carmel.  

Norman Naimark, the Robert and Florence McDonnel Professor of Eastern European Studies at Stanford University and author of several important books on the Balkans, discusses the current state of affairs in that part of Europe. http://fsi.stanford.edu/people/Norman_M_Naimark/

Recommended for 48C’s and 48E’s.

Please comment or contact for event RSVP information.

15 November

1130-1400 

“Cybersecurity: Are We Headed Towards a Cyber Pearl Harbor or 9/11?” 

Dr. Dorothy E. Denning, NPS.  World Affairs Council Luncheon.  Location:  Rancho Canada Golf Club, Carmel Valley Road. Cost:  $25.  Reservation form found at:

http://www.wacmb.org/WACMB/Upcoming-WACMB-Programs.html

Recommended for all FAOs.

15 November 

1600 & 1900(T) 

EFMP.  

Presentation by Presidio of Monterey Exceptional Family Member Program and Medical representatives to ensure that FAOs and their families understand the impact of the EFMP on future assignments and to facilitate preparation for OCONUS PCS.  The 1600 presentation is confirmed; the intent of the tentatively scheduled duplicate presentation at 1900 is to offer spouses the opportunity to receive the same information.  More to follow on confirmation of the 1900 presentation.  Even if you do not have EFMs or dependents, you need to attend to understand the implications of this program on you and on FAOs who will work for you in the future.  

Mandatory for all Army FAOs.

29 November 

1600-1730 

IRT Panel.  Several FAOs who have recently completed IRT or who possess unique FAO experience conduct a panel presentation and answer questions.  Participants include LTC James Morris (48G), MAJ Kevin Steele (48D), MAJ Kip Kowalski (48D), and CPT Don Cinnamond (48J).  Location:  DLI Post Theater.

Mandatory for all Army FAOs.

14-18 January – Joint FAO Course, Phase I.

OPPORTUNITY: FAO/RAS/PAS CAP Program--Sponsor International Students

FAO/RAS/PAS CAP Program--Sponsor International Students 

Share American hospitality, improve your language and culture skills, and establish relationships for the future!  For more information, contact LCDR Jay Furman jhfurman@nps.edu or Ms. Charlie Orsburn clorsbur@nps.edu 

All volunteers will need to attend an introductory meeting on 27 SEP, 1200 hrs, Glasgow Hall 102 (NPS campus).  

NOTE: conflicts will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis--don't let a schedule conflict for this meeting prevent you from volunteering!

What is the FAO-CAP?

The Foreign Area Officer-Cultural Ambassadors Program (FAO-CAP) matches members of the FAO Association of Monterey with international students attending the Defense Resource Management Institute (DRMI) International Defense Management Course (IDMC). The are several excellent opportunities for hosting foreign officers coming this fall.  The IDMC's are generally three months in length.  They are excellent opportunities to meet many different officers from your area and

beyond, forming lasting professional and personal relationships.  These types of long-term friendships are essential to a FAO's career.

LINKS:

http://www.nps.edu/Academics/Centers/DRMI/

http://www.nps.edu/Academics/Schools/SIGS/News/DRMI_Williams.html

http://faculty.nps.edu/dl/DRMI/photoAlbum_2012_july/index.html

FAO Type events summary for the next two months

Below is a summary of upcoming events for FAO/RAS/PAS in the local area:

14 September, 1730-UTC, Conversations in Carmel.[1]  “Fariba Nawa (http://www.faribanawa.com/about/) will speak about her book, Opium Nation:Child Brides, Drug Lords, and One Woman's Journey through Afghanistan. The book was nominated this year for the Pen Center award for research nonfiction.  Ms. Nawa, who was born in Afghanistan and came to the US as a child with her family, will also tell us stories from her experience traveling this country talking about her book this past year. Ms Nawa's book is available at Amazon for those who would like to read ahead. 

NPS STUDENTS AND FACULTY, PLEASE COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT.

17 September, 1200-1400 – “U.S. Policy Toward Syria: Moving Past Assad.”  Ambassador Fred Hof, World Affairs Council Luncheon.  Location:  Rancho Canada Golf Club, Carmel Valley Road.  If you plan on attending, submit your completed reservation form and payment using:  http://www.wacmb.org/WACMB/Upcoming-WACMB-Programs_files/Reservation%20Form.pdf

18 September, 1600-1730 – Syria Situation.  Ambassador Fred Hof, State Department's Senior Coordinator for Regional Affairs and Senior Advisor for Syria, provides an update on the current situation in Syria.  Location:  Gold Room, Weckerling Center.  Mandatory for all 48Gs and 48Cs (Turkey).

27 September, 1600-1700 – “Dress for Success.” 

Men's Warehouse will give a presentation on how to dress for business, social, and casual functions.  

Location:  Gold Room, Weckerling Center.  

Strongly recommended for any male FAO or spouse who has not previously attended this event. 

11 October, 1730-UTC, Conversations in Carmel.  “Fusun, Akarsa, PhD, head of the Science Education Department at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, is doing research on the cultural interface between Eastern and Western business people.  She has some fascinating and sometimes amusing stories to tell about ways we misinterpret one another's social cues which affects the success of our interactions.  She will also share with us her personal thoughts on the current geopolitical trends in Turkey.  Professor Akarsa is a visiting professor at MIIS this year.” 

NPS STUDENTS AND FACULTY, PLEASE COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT.

9 November, 1730-UTC, Conversations in Carmel.  “Norman Naimark, the Robert and Florence McDonnel Professor of Eastern European Studies at Stanford University and author of several important books on the Balkans, will help us sort through the current state of affairs in that part of Europe.  What is still in store for Serbia and Kosovo at this time? How have these countries recovered, or not?  What is important for us to understand about the effect of the Balkan situation currently on the EU and the world? ”

NPS STUDENTS AND FACULTY, PLEASE COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT.

FAOAM Meeting this Thursday (6 SEP) at 1200

FAOAM Meeting this Thursday (6 SEP) at 1200

Interested current students and faculty are welcome to attend our meeting this Thursday in GL322.  We will be discussing future events as well as future opportunities to serve as part of the team!  

The FAO Association of Monterey is a great way to begin an interagency networking process that will prove crucial throughout the careers of all FAOs/RAS/PAS. 

Feel free to comment here if you have more questions or email us as faoamwebmaster@gmail.com.

Former Army FAO Ambassador Fred Hof Speaks About Syria 18 SEP 2012

Former Army FAO Ambassador Fred Hof  Presentation on Syria 18 September 2012

Who: Special Advisor for Regional Affairs Ambassador Fred Hof

What: Presentation on Syria

When: 1600-1730, 18 September 2012

Where: DLI, Weckerling Center, Gold Room.  

This event is open to all NPS and DLI students.  He is giving a similar presentation in San Francisco.  The following is from that site:

Ambassador Frederic Hof, US Department of State’s Special Advisor on Transition in Syria, will provide remarks regarding US policy, engagement with the Syrian opposition and efforts to reintegrate Syria into the international community. While the focus remains on removing the Assad regime, stopping the violence, and easing the refugee situation the State Department is also looking at what comes next for the Syrian people.

Ambassador Hof will also discuss the challenges ahead for Syria, including the formation of a transitional government, protection of all ethnic and religious communities, drafting a new constitution, holding elections, economic revitalization and reinstating rule of law.

Ambassador Hof is a 1969 graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and began his professional career as an Army officer.  He is a Vietnam veteran and served as a US Army Middle East Foreign Area Officer, studying Arabic at the Foreign Service Institute in Tunisia and receiving a Masters Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School.  He served as US Army Attaché in Beirut, Lebanon and later in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as Director for Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Palestinian Affairs.

His full biography can be found here.