Malcolm Rivera
Military diplomacy is a critical component of international crisis management and conflict resolution. It involves the non-violent actions of armed forces to influence foreign governments and advance a country's strategic interests. While there is no specific branch of the U.S. military dedicated solely to diplomacy, various sub-departments within each branch engage in diplomatic tasks. For example, the Navy sometimes works with foreign navies to maintain healthy relations, and the United States Air Force's Air Advisers are often positioned overseas, building relationships with international partners. The Coast Guard is another maritime force that offers diplomatic capabilities alongside military, law enforcement, humanitarian, and regulatory functions.
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What You'll Learn
The Defense Attaché Service (DAS)
While there is no specific branch of the U.S. military dedicated solely to diplomacy, various sub-departments within each branch engage in diplomatic tasks and missions that couple military power with diplomatic negotiations. One such example is the Defense Attaché Service (DAS).
Defense Attaché Offices (DAO) are based in U.S. embassies around the globe and are composed of both civilian and military personnel. These individuals are appointed as Defense Attachés, representing the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the military department (Army, Navy, Air Force), and the senior defense official or the U.S. government. Most Defense Attachés receive specialized training at the Joint Military Attaché School before their appointment.
The role of a Defense Attaché, sometimes referred to as a "military diplomat," is to serve as a representative of their country's defense establishment, handling all aspects of bilateral military and defense relations. Their duties include advising diplomatic officials on security matters, gathering intelligence on the host country's armed forces, and addressing other security issues such as migration or law enforcement. The specific duties, qualifications, and management of a Defense Attaché may vary depending on the government they represent.
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The Naval Diplomat
While there is no branch of the U.S. military dedicated solely to diplomacy, all branches of the military engage in some form of diplomatic work as part of peacekeeping missions or international partnerships. The Navy, in particular, sometimes works with foreign navies to maintain healthy relations, participate in allied military exercises, and help maintain global stability.
Naval Diplomats contribute to this by fostering relationships with foreign navies. They participate in joint training exercises, military-to-military exchanges, and coordination of operations with allied nations. These activities increase interoperability between militaries, enhance cultural understanding, and provide opportunities to expand capabilities and prepare for potential contingencies.
In addition to their international work, Naval Diplomats also engage in public diplomacy domestically. They help bridge the civilian-military divide by sharing their stories and experiences with the American people. This aspect of their role is particularly important in places where the only Americans seen are those in uniform, as they become ambassadors of the United States, representing the nation abroad.
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The United States Air Force's Air Adviser role
While there is no branch of the U.S. military dedicated solely to diplomacy, various sub-departments within each branch engage in diplomatic tasks and missions that couple military power with diplomatic negotiations. One such example is the United States Air Force's Air Adviser role.
In this role, service members are often positioned overseas, building relationships with international partners, advising on U.S. air capabilities, and providing training. This role is crucial in international crisis management and conflict resolution, as it involves the deployment of military forces to support peacekeeping or humanitarian operations.
The Air Adviser role contributes to the overall mission of the United States Air Force, which is one of the major components of the U.S. armed forces. The Air Force has primary responsibility for air warfare, air defense, and the development of military space research. They also provide air services in coordination with other military branches, such as air mobility and special operations support.
The organizational structure of the Air Force is designed to support operational missions, with the secretary of defense directing the secretary of the Air Force to execute any necessary changes in operational control. The Air Force has nine major commands, including the Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, and Air Force Special Operations Command. These commands are organized into air forces, wings, groups, squadrons, and flights, each performing specialized functions.
The Air Force also has a rich history, dating back to World War II and the German blitzkrieg. Over time, the Air Force has evolved, gaining autonomy within the Army and eventually becoming a separate branch of the military. This evolution has shaped the Air Force into a decisive factor in modern warfare, particularly during the Cold War and in more recent conflicts.
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Coast Guard
While there is no specific branch of the U.S. military dedicated solely to diplomacy, various sub-departments within each branch engage in diplomatic tasks and missions that couple military power with diplomatic negotiations. The Coast Guard is one such branch that offers a range of capabilities, including military, law enforcement, humanitarian, regulatory, and diplomatic functions.
The Coast Guard is a maritime security organization with a broad range of responsibilities that vary across different countries. In the United States, the Coast Guard has a long history of participation in major U.S. conflicts, dating back to 1790. They have been involved in significant events such as D-Day, the Pacific Islands campaign in World War II, and the Vietnam War. More recently, they have played crucial roles in Operation Iraqi Freedom, particularly in maritime interception operations, coastal security, transportation security, and law enforcement detachments.
The Coast Guard is known for its quick responsiveness and adaptability in emergencies, as highlighted in their response to Hurricane Katrina. Their eleven statutory missions are divided into homeland security and non-homeland security missions, including ice operations and the International Ice Patrol. They also play a vital role in gathering and distributing information, serving as the communications and operations center for the National Response Team, and maintaining agreements with various federal entities.
In terms of diplomacy, the Coast Guard engages in international cooperation and crisis management. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard has adopted Tokyo's approach to expanding cooperation through "white hulls," which involves distributing operations with other branches of the military service. Additionally, the Coast Guard has provided foreign training to personnel from other countries, such as the Philippine Coast Guard, contributing to capacity-building and strengthening international relations.
The Coast Guard's diplomatic efforts extend beyond international waters. In the United States, the Coast Guard has a decentralized organization, empowering junior personnel to take on significant responsibilities. This structure fosters a spirit of flexibility and a people-first mentality, as described by rescue swimmer Wil Milam. This unique culture within the Coast Guard may contribute to its effectiveness in diplomatic contexts, where relationship-building and effective communication are essential for success.
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Army Foreign Area Officers (FAOs)
While there is no specific branch of the US military dedicated solely to diplomacy, various sub-departments within each branch engage in diplomatic tasks and missions. One such example is the Army Foreign Area Officers (FAOs).
FAOs are specially selected and trained to be regionally focused political-military specialists. They are soldiers grounded in the Profession of Arms, providing leadership and expertise in diverse organisations in joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational environments. They are cross-culturally competent, possess strong interpersonal communication skills, and have foreign language proficiency.
Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of FAOs are extensive and varied. They:
- Advise senior leaders on political-military operations and relations with other nations
- Provide cultural expertise to forward-deployed commands conducting military operations
- Build and maintain long-term relationships with foreign leaders
- Develop and coordinate security cooperation
- Execute security assistance programs with host nations
- Develop reports on diplomatic, information, military, and economic activities
- Act as arms control specialists, country desk officers, liaison officers, and Personal Exchange Program officers to host nations or coalition allies
Training
FAO training typically takes a minimum of three to five years to complete. Candidates first attend the Joint Foreign Area Officer Course (JFAOC), Phase I, which provides a one-week orientation to the FAO career field. They then complete language training at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, California, where they develop proficiency in at least one dominant language in their specified region. FAOs are also required to attend a fully-funded graduate program and earn a Master's degree with a focus on their assigned region.
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Frequently asked questions
There isn't a specific branch of the military dedicated solely to diplomacy. However, the Defense Attaché Service (DAS), a sub-department within each branch of the military, engages in diplomatic tasks and missions that couple military power with diplomatic negotiations. The Coast Guard is another branch that offers diplomatic capabilities alongside its military and law enforcement roles.
Military diplomacy involves the non-violent actions of armed forces to influence foreign governments. It is used to support traditional diplomacy and advance a country's strategic interests. Military diplomacy is critical in international crisis management and conflict resolution, and it often involves the deployment of military forces for peacekeeping or humanitarian operations.
Military diplomacy includes joint training exercises, military-to-military exchanges, and coordination of military operations with allied nations. It also involves humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), where military professionals provide aid and support during emergencies and natural disasters.
