Thanks so much!
It was during a chess game that I came to understand the significance of my role as a foreign military advisor. The sun was just breaking over the bank of the Tigris River when my counterpart in the Iraqi Army, Captain Fareed, smiled and laid his king down on the board. Thumbing his cigar with tobacco stained fingertips, he finally agreed to increase his unilateral patrols in our area of responsibility. His concession ended a dialogue that had started weeks prior, and had led to a much needed increase of Iraqi military presence in a region that was in danger of succumbing to extremist militias. We had negotiated our positions throughout the game, but it was the checkmate that convinced him my request was more than a whim, but rather had vested strategic significance. It was in these early morning hours, deep in discussion with Captain Fareed, that the applied use of language, cultural understanding, and history furthered our combined national interests. It was that game of chess that drove me to volunteer as a U.S. Army Foreign Area Officer (FAO) and seek to broaden my knowledge of the Middle East region.
The Foreign Area Officer program is one of the most critical aspects of our foreign service family. The military itself is undergoing massive transformation. As Lieutenant General Barno points out, many are “fleeing the force in droves”, whether moving from their basic branch or departing service altogether; it is through the FAO program that we maintain stability amongst our Department of Defense, our National institutes of foreign policy, and our diplomatic relations abroad. [1] As our force goes through yet another inter-conflict change, our FAO corps is still conducting its mission on a daily basis, providing a level of continuity, and executing US foreign policy on the ground level. The significance of this profession is seen in the amount of responsibility that falls on a Defense Cooperation Chief or Defense Attaché, and to the relationships and ties fostered by joint exercises, planning sessions, and military-to-military engagements. In many cases, a single US military officer is the key node to military, civilian, and political engagements that directly impact the future direction of diplomacy within that region. The FAO corps has recognized this and “cultivated the best and brightest,” and the training is structured to maximize our exposure to a multi-faceted environment. [1] My goal is to expand my understanding of the Middle East; my goal is to contribute my experiences and skills to the XXXXXXXXXXX; my goal is to serve our country abroad with the reputation of an XXXXXXX graduate and the knowledge and skillset to impact the world in a positive manner. It is the significance of these goals that drive me to pursue a rigorous and comprehensive education, and it is the reputation of XXXXXXX that convinced me a Masters of XXXXXXXX is the right choice.
My passions lie in fostering America’s relationships abroad, and how we as a collective Foreign Service institution can impact those relationships to further our national interests as well as fostering a better future for mankind. By expanding my knowledge of the Middle East I intend to contribute directly to those relationships. Specifically focusing on the dynamic role played by non-state actors such as the Gulf Cooperation Council within the Middle East region, I intend to study the transformation of Arab states following their independence, and the growing impact that non-state and multi-state organizations are having within the Middle East and abroad. In concert with this, I intend to look at the resurgence of indigenous populations on modern Arab states, as well as the effect that their culture is having on the national identity of modern Arab states. I intend to pursue studies that will aid in assessing both macro and micro interactions within the Middle East between the varietal fabric of political, religious, and social actors. By diversifying my study through courses such as XXXXXXXXXX, which examines the roots and relationships of political and societal forces, and ¬XXXXXX, which will help highlight the success and failure of incorporating democratic principles in the region, I will achieve a comprehensive look at my focus region. I believe that the program at the XXXXXXXX distinguishes itself by offering a rigorous course of study crafted for mid-career professionals like myself who desire to focus on research such as this, as well as offering the opportunity for increased linguistic proficiency.
As a FAO, I want to become an expert on Middle East culture, history, and language, and to put that knowledge to practical use in executing and shaping American foreign policy. As a career officer in the U.S. military, I have had the opportunity to work overseas, directly implementing policy and directives with partner nations and against enemies of the United States. I intend to share those experiences and foster a dialogue about the successes and failure in advising partner nations and foreign forces, how the US policies and directives can impact communities and villages, and how leadership is an integral part in ensuring our goals are accomplished. Having sat on academic panels as a representative of the US military in the past, as well as having participating in academic dialogues with students in North Africa and the Middle East, I recognize the value of sharing experiences, and contributing lessons learned. Following my course of study at XXXXXXXX, I will serve as an advisor to flag officers, diplomats, and senior policymakers in the United States government. My long-term goal is to serve as a defense attaché in Tunisia, Lebanon, or Egypt, acting as the senior military advisor to the ambassador in one of those locations. The prospect of continuing this work is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to every opportunity I have to expand my intellectual and practical knowledge of the Middle East and my career field. While I have several years and much preparation to accomplish before accepting such a job, I firmly believe that an education at XXXXXXXXX will help ready my knowledge in this field of work. I have devoted my life to serving in this career field and will continue to do so as long as I am able.
I believe that I am well-prepared to excel as a graduate student of XXXXXXXX, and my past experiences have prepared me for the rigors involved in this intense program. Having accepted the XXXXXXX scholarship, I intend to maximize the opportunity by applying to XXXXXXXX. I look forward to having the opportunity to contribute to the XXXXXXXXX and gain a better understanding of my role as a Foreign Area Officer.