SAF/IA International Affairs Specialist (IAS) Program

1. SAF/IA International AffairsSpecialist (IAS) Program • Lt Col A.J. WernerChief, IAS ProgramSeptember 2012

2. International Affairs SpecialistProgram (IAS) • Background • IAS Program deliberately develops officers with regional expertise, language proficiency and pol-mil skills • Created in 2005 to meet DoD Directive; centrally manages Regional Affairs Strategist (RAS)/Pol-Mil Affairs Strategist (PAS) career paths • First RAS grads in 2009 • Dual-track ramp-up will meet requirements by 2018 • Current Status • Global requirements currently filled with mix of certified RAS/PAS and best qualified officers • Challenges • Expectation management over RAS/PAS shortfall during ramp-up • Insufficient Advanced Academic Degree (AAD) quotas

3. Building International Airmen: History of IAS • Apr 05: DoDD 1315.17, Military Dept Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Programs • Secretaries of Military Departments shall develop commissioned FAO management programs • Apr 05: CSAF Sight Picture, Officer Force Development International Affairs Specialists (IAS) • Two paths created: Regional Affairs Strategist (RAS) & Political-Military Affairs Strategist (PAS) • Supported by CSAFs: Gen Jumper, Gen Moseley, Gen Schwartz, Gen Welsh • Fall 05: First IAS Officers selected for deliberate development • Summer 06: IAS selects begin training (NPS, ACSC) • Sep 07: DoDI 1315.20, Management of DoD FAO Programs • DoD through respective Services shall deliberately develop and manage a corps of FAOs to support the DoD global mission

4. Building International Airmen: What Changed? • Promotion rates for IAS officers consistently above LAF through O-6 • Before 2005: USAF Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Program Ineffective • “Career-killer” perception • Lacked deliberate development; relied on self-obtained skills • No centralized career management • After 2005: Institutionalized IAS Program • IAS program created to centrally manage two paths (RAS and PAS) • 1st RAS graduates in 2009 – 1st PAS graduates in 2007 • Increase in demand for IAS officers; 50% growth in billets since 2005

5. International Affairs Specialist Program (IAS) • Pol-Mil Affairs Strategist (PAS) • Broad Political-Military Affairs • No foreign language requirement • In-residence IDE/SDE graduate • 314 billets • 306 certified PAS Officers • Annual development of 88 officers • Selection at 10-12 years commissioned service • Accession Sources • ACSC, Pol-Mil Specialized Studies • CSAF POLAD Internship • Int’l IDE/SDE (English language) • Single Developmental Assignment • Deliberate career broadening • Provides Pol-Mil expertise • Regional Affairs Strategist (RAS) • Regional Expert • Language proficiency • Advanced Academic Degree • At least 6 months regional experience • 313 billets (requires pool of approx. 900 officers) • 282 certified RAS Officers • Annual development of 72 officers • Selection at 7-10 years of commissioned service • Accession Sources • Deliberate Development (NPS/DLI) • Olmsted Scholar Program/Mansfield Fellows • Int’l IDE/SDE (foreign language) • Direct Utilization • “Dual Track” Program = Alternating Assignment • Remain current and competent in PAFSC • Remain competitive for PME, Command • Translate regional expertise into military utility IAS Program enhances functional communities by deliberately developing Airmen with LRC skills and competencies for future Building Partnership Capacity.

6. RAS Training Pipelines Typical Pipeline Assigned to AFIT/NPS Assigned to 311th/314th TRS Immersion Approx 3 Months NPS 12 Months Immersion Approx 3Months DLI 7 – 17 Months Pipeline w/out AAD Assigned to 311th/314th TRS DLI 7 – 17 Months Immersion Approx 6Months • Other Accession Sources • Olmsted Scholar Program • Mansfield Fellowship • International Officer IDE/SDE • Direct Utilization Pipeline w/out Language Assigned to AFIT/NPS Immersion Approx 6 Months NPS 15 Months 6

7. Requirements by Organization 314 Political-Military Affairs Specialist (16P) 313 Regional Affairs Specialist (16F) People $41.7 People $39.5 People $41.7 Modernization & Recapitalization $42.9 Modernization & Recapitalization $40.4

8. Requirements by Region 314 Political-Military Affairs Specialist (16P) 313 Regional Affairs Specialist (16F) People $41.7 People $39.5 People $41.7 Modernization & Recapitalization $42.9 Modernization & Recapitalization $40.4 Modernization & Recapitalization $41.2

9. International Affairs Specialist Advisory Panel (IASAP) • Central body providing senior level program oversight and guidance • Annual panel chaired by SES • Focus is on development and sustainment of IAS officers • Primary Tasks • Discuss and implement new initiatives within the IAS community • Implement AF and IAS policies, plans, programs and training affecting career field management • Conduct screening for IAS command billets • Provide career vectors to IAS officers

10. IAS Way-Ahead • Produce, Sustain and Project • Air Force Warrior-Diplomats • Continue IAS production to meet DoD/AF validated requirements • Dual-track ramp-up will meet current requirements by 2018 • Expectation management over RAS/PAS shortfall during ramp-up • Focus production on “Right RAS, Right Time, Right Place” • Leverage ongoing DoD/USAF resources & programs, explore new options • Formalize relationship with Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) to leverage existing LREC capabilities • Explore alternative pipeline training opportunities • Continue dialogue with Joint FAO Community to capitalize on recognized best-practices

11. Questions