Well, what can I say? The last month or two got busy, I got lazy in updating this site. I am back home now, the first International Officers course at Vietnam’s National Defense Academy is now completed and history. I made a lot of friends amongst the other International Officers. We had a good time and I learned alot about not only Vietnam but of 14 other countries and people. This was a rewarding experience. I will try to post some more pictures, in the last month I was able to visit Sapa, and a few other places that I want to go back to again.

We saw many things, considering the Presidential Election in the US, it was interesting that Senator John McCain’s picture in Truc Bach Lake was seen in several of the museums. I also visited the memorial on the bank of Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi that commemorates the shoot down of Senator McCain. The memorial has several mistakes, it identifies Senator McCain as an Air Force pilot instead of a Navy pilot and it also spells his name in a transliterated Vietnamese which makes it almost unrecognizable to the average foreigner.

We are headed to Khe Sanh which is in Quang Tri province, in Central Vietnam.  We are taking 5 days for the trip, so I will not be in Hanoi next week.  This are is the 17th parallel and the former DMZ which was the dividing line from 1954-1975 when there was a North and a South Viet Nam.

I am wearing my Army ACUs (Army Combat Uniform) with the US Flag proudly displayed on my shoulder, I get a lot of looks and curious people that want to take photos.  I expect wearing it in the field in Quang Tri may be the first time anyone as seen that uniform in the field in Vietnam.

Check out the new pictures for this week, here is a direct link:

http://blog.getiag.com/v/NDA/25_31_March

Also, something new, I have posted videos, go here to see a listing of the videos and click on the one you want to watch.

http://blog.getiag.com/videos/

So, after getting through Immigration I waited for my bags, that took about 25 minutes, then through Customs and I was out in the waiting area.  It took me a few minutes to find my contact, there was a young Second Lieutenant from the Ministry of Defense’s External Relations Division, or ERD which we call it for short.  ERD in Vietnamese is Cục đối ngoại.  I was the only International Officer at the time so we took a small car from the airport to the National Defense Academy (Học Viện Bộ Quốc Phòng) on Hoàng Quốc Việt street in Hà Nội.  I was met by 8 uniformed officers and a few administrative staff.  Before going to my room they invited me to have a seat in a large conference room to make introductions.  I was still in my traveling clothes which are comfortable cargo pants and long sleeve T-shirt with tennis shoes, I felt a little uncomfortable because of my casual dress but the introductions were quick and very congenial.  I was escorted to my room by several of the officers and staff and they showed me around the room and we talked about the general schedule of events.  I have Monday to unpack and get familiar with the surroundings and then Tuesday we will have the opening ceremony. 

There are only two other officers here today, one from New Zealand and one from Namibia.  The remaining students are supposed to show up on Monday.  I have uploaded a picture of the room, it is very nice, air conditioning, private bath, TV, small refrigerator, small balcony, telephone, hot water pot and a computer with Internet access.  

http://blog.getiag.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/img_0036.JPG 

I was able to use Skype and called home, it works great.I am on the third floor and during the evening hours I saw and heard many people using the tennis courts and other facilities outside to exercise.  The grounds of the Academy are closed with limited access to staff and students only.  There is a large swimming pool, several lighted tennis courts and other outdoor courts.  For the first few meals the three of us that are here get our meals served in our room, very nice, but as soon as the other officers arrive we will start having our meals in the common dining facility.  I still get breakfast in my room on Monday.  For my lunch they served me several items, the main dish was a beef cooked in a wine sauce (Thịt bò xốt vang) with rice on the side.  It was very good and I did not remember having it before so I had to ask what it was exaclty. It is hard to explain but it is kind of sweet, I have uploaded a picture of my lunch for those that might be interested.

http://blog.getiag.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/img_0045.JPG

Well, got to go now, kind of tired and lots of unpacking to do.

My answer is:  Yes.  If you are interested in strategic leadership and developing plans and policy that can have long term effects on the relationship between the United States and other countries then you should look into the Foreign Area Officer program.  There is a program for Active Duty Officers as well as Reservists.  Refer to one of the links below for more information.

http://www.fao.army.mil/POC.asp

https://www.g357extranet.army.pentagon.mil/DCSExtranet/damossf/FAO.asp  (must login to AKO first)

For Reservists, you should get a copy of AR 135-11 and read about the program and how to qualify.

Click here to get a copy of AR 135-11:

The Enhanced Reserve Component Foreign Area Officer Program