Search

The article focuses on the role of the United States Marine Corps in establishing Foreign Military Training Units in response to the increasing demand for Marines to serve as trainers and advisors. Marine foreign military advisors have been operating or have operated in such diverse countries as Iraq, Afghanistan, Chad, Niger, Ukraine and Colombia, among others.

Presents observations on the foreign area officer (FAO) study program of the United States Marine Corps. Providing officers who can fill billets requiring an advanced understanding of political-military matters and international affairs; What future FAOs can expect in the extended training pipeline; Dilemma FAOs face in maintaining primary military occupational specialty credibility.

Explains the state of affairs of the United States Marine Corps' International Affairs Officer (IAO) Program. Initiatives underway in the unified commands and division, department and Headquarters Marine Corps that manage the program; Challenges related to administration, assignments and funding; Improvements in the way the program provides the Marine Corps with area specialists.

Presents a list of United States Marine Corps assignments to peacetime presence missions and contingency operations around the world. Deployments in the Arabian Gulf, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Indian Ocean regions.

Reports on the review of the US Armed Forces' presence in Okinawa, Japan following the sexual assault case against three American military servicemen and a car accident involving an American military personnel. Issues raised including the necessity of the US military presence in Japan; Justification on military security provided by the US Armed Forces.