The Foreign Area Officer Podcast

#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.
 
Articles:
Reimagining Policing in America—A Complete Institutional Overhaul by LTC Lemar Farhad
 
Books Discussed: 
2034 by Elliot Ackerman and Admiral (Ret.) James Stavridis USN
2054 by Elliot Ackerman and Admiral (Ret.) James Stavridis USN
Ghost fleet by P.W. Singer
 
00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
00:46 Meet the Guest: Lemar Farhad
01:04 Transition to FAO: From Field to Strategy
02:04 First Impressions of FAOs
03:33 The Path to Monterey
04:36 Language Training at DLI
12:12 Unexpected Assignment: Malaysia
13:34 Experiences at the Malaysian Staff College
14:35 Return to the U.S. and Grad School
19:33 First Assignment at CENTCOM
21:20 Challenges and Lessons at CENTCOM
26:21 Mentorship and Professional Development
34:16 Transition to J2 at CENTCOM
36:34 Introduction to Central Asia Desk
37:05 Building Relationships in Central Asia
38:03 Challenges of Language and Culture
39:16 Innovative Security Cooperation Programs
41:21 Impact of COVID-19 on Operations
42:39 Personal Heritage and Career Impact
44:00 Father's Academic Journey
46:40 Early Life and Cultural Identity
47:51 Deployment to Afghanistan Post-9/11
48:53 Unique Assignment with Special Forces
01:05:37 Transition to MI and Multiple Deployments
01:07:52 Reconnecting with the Intelligence Community
01:08:37 Special Operations Command in Europe
01:09:08 First Country Team Assignment in Malaysia
01:11:20 Challenges with a Difficult Deputy
01:14:22 Leadership and Team Dynamics
01:20:50 Current Role in Korea: NEO Operations
01:39:48 The Importance of Reading and Fiction
01:45:28 Final Thoughts and Reflections

#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.
 
Links:
www.Hangar19Consulting.com
www.MattYocum.com
Closet World Kickstarter
 
Books:
The Twilight War by David Crist
Brief by Joe McCormick
Lawrence in Arabia by Scott Anderson
The New Map by Daniel Jurgen
Power Broker by Robert Caro
The Years of Lyndon Johnson by Robert Caro
The Vision by King, Waltaand Bellaire
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by King, Evely and Lopes
Pluto: Urusawa x Tekuza by Nagasaki and Urasawa
Bone by Jeff Smith
 
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction and Disclaimers
00:46 Meet Colonel Matt Yocum
01:15 Colonel Yocum’s Air Force Journey
01:59 The Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program (ESEP)
02:44 Life and Work in Israel
04:42 Challenges and Experiences in Israel
09:01 Language Learning and Cultural Insights
34:58 The Second Lebanon War
39:35 Observations and Responsibilities as an Attache
45:31 Career Transitions and Future Plans
50:37 Arrival in Amman, Jordan
50:46 The New Normal: ISIS Crisis
51:44 Embassy Life and Community
54:02 Building Relationships and Cooperation
55:19 Information Sharing and Collaboration
01:03:34 Training and Equipping the Jordanian Air Force
01:18:44 Commander's Action Group (CAG) Experience
01:37:51 Decision to Stay in CAG
01:39:06 Balancing Family and Duty
01:40:43 Returning to JSO and Preparing for Retirement
01:42:14 Final Assignment and Retirement Ceremony
01:45:37 Reflecting on a Military Career
01:47:30 Challenges and Triumphs in Promotions
01:55:37 Post-Military Career in Comics
02:02:18 The Art of Storytelling in Communication
02:14:07 Recommended Reads and Final Thoughts
 
 

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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. 

#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.

#20 - Lt Col (R) Duilia Mora Turner

In this episode of the Foreign Area Officer Podcast Lt Col (R) Duilia Mora Turner, the first Air Force FAO on the show, shares insights into her post-retirement work at Florida International University, where she is pursuing a Ph.D. focusing on women's leadership in Latin American militaries. The conversation delves deeply into the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) program, covering its origins, implementation, and global impact. Dui recounts her experiences developing the WPS program at SOUTHCOM, emphasizing the importance of including women's perspectives in security and defense strategies. She also discusses her background, from growing up in Brazil to her career in the U.S. Air Force, and her transition to academia. This episode sheds light on the vital role of women in peace and security initiatives and highlights Dewey's contributions to this field.

#19 - COL Jonathan and Margy Dunn

U.S. Army Colonel Jonathan Dunn and his wife, Margy delve into Colonel Dunn's career journey from military upbringing to teaching at West Point and becoming an FAO. Margy shares her experiences balancing family life with the demands and challenges of military service, particularly as a mother of EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program) children. The discussion covers topics such as the intricacies of the FAO training pipeline, the challenges of unaccompanied tours, and the importance of mentorship. The episode also explores the financial logistics for EFMP families, their experiences traveling with children, and the essential role of communication and support systems in making it all work.