1. SAF/IA International Affairs Specialist (IAS) Program
Lt Col A.J. Werner Chief, IAS Program September 2012

2. International Affairs Specialist Program (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 , 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 , 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?
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
Promotion rates for IAS officers consistently above LAF through O-6

5. International Affairs Specialist Program (IAS)
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
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 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
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 311th/314th TRS
Assigned to AFIT/NPS
DLI
7 – 17 Months
Immersion
Approx 3 Months
NPS
12 Months
Pipeline w/out AAD
DLI
7 – 17 Months
Immersion
Approx 6 Months
Assigned to 311th/314th TRS
Other Accession Sources
Olmsted Scholar Program
Mansfield Fellowship
International Officer IDE/SDE
Direct Utilization
Pipeline w/out Language
NPS
15 Months
Immersion
Approx 6 Months
Assigned to AFIT/NPS 6

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

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

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. Produce, Sustain and Project Air Force Warrior-Diplomats
IAS Way-Ahead
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
Produce, Sustain and Project
Air Force Warrior-Diplomats

11. Questions