Foreign Area Officer Association: Chapter Notes
Fort Leavenworth-Roger Donlon Chapter Holds Spring Social
After two years of COVID-19 restrictions the Fort Leavenworth-Roger Donlon Chapter, FAOA, met for a Spring Social get together on Friday, 8 April, at a local Leavenworth bistro. Seventeen active and retired FAOS and several of their spouses gathered for the informal event.
The Fort Leavenworth community boasts what may be the largest concentration of FAOs outside the Beltway. The Roger Conlon Chapter, chartered in 2017, has worked since its inception to provide a forum for members’ discussion of FAO concerns, a contact point for organizations in the surrounding communities desiring regional expertise, and a social network connecting active duty and retired FAOs and friends from Fort Leavenworth, the Kansas City metropolitan area, and nearby universities.
A highlight of the recent social get together was an informal presentation by Colonel Rod Cox (U. S. Army- Retired), chair of the Command and General Staff College Foundation and a former FAO, regarding some of the Foundation’s outreach programs, and how the Leavenworth area FAO cohort could support these efforts. Colonel Cox noted that the Foundation’s programs are presented year-round, and throughout the United States. Several of the FAOs in attendance indicated their interest, and willingness to support these programs.
In the near term, FAOs and friends plan to be fielding a team representing Fort Leavenworth in the Kansas City International Relations Council “College Bowl” in which teams from local schools and universities vie for the honor of being able to correctly answer a host of political, social, cultural, and international relations-focused questions.
Those FAOs in attendance considered this recent get-together a welcome return to in-person events and are looking forward to restoration of more regular schedule. Initial planning envisions resuming quarterly meetings and social events, building on the success of the 8 April gathering. FAOs coming to Fort Leavenworth either TDY or on a PCS move will be welcome attendees.
Gary Hobin (48G)
Assistant Professor,
Department of Joint, Interagency, and Multinational Operations, USACGSC
Chapter Secretary