Being an Air Force attaché is unique career opportunity

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WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) --  Officers and enlisted Airmen are needed to play key roles in international military and political affairs. Benefits include travel, accommodations, and the opportunity to interact with people on almost every continent, in almost every country.

At a recent conference at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Brig. Gen. Ralph Jodice II took time to speak about the importance of the defense attaché positions in American embassies worldwide.

General Jodice, the defense attaché to China, stressed that these roles are the "foundation and frontline for the military-to-military relationships that exist between the United States and other countries."

"We represent the United States - we're ambassadors in blue and the most important aspect of the assignment is building relationships," General Jodice explained. "It's important to have a good understanding of each other, not only of our respective capabilities, but also our intentions because that is critical in forming relationships and partnerships."

Within the defense attaché office at an embassy, there are many roles, both officer and enlisted. For example, the air attaché is the representative for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and they are responsible for working directly with a host nation's air force.

"Air attachés come from a variety of backgrounds," General Jodice said. "Some are pilots, some come out of the acquisitions field, and others from the space arena."

Similarly, non-commissioned officer positions exist to run the day-to-day operations of a defense attaché office.

It doesn't matter what career field someone comes from, but rather, if they're suited for an international assignment, if they can learn a native language that might be necessary in their duties and most of all, if they're interested in an assignment that is "very dynamic, challenging and rewarding in representing the United States in another country," the general said.

Once selected, the training process is extensive, sometimes lasting as long as two years, especially if a required language is difficult to learn. Candidates also go through regional studies, learning as much as they can about the country, its history and the surrounding region. At the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs and the Defense Intelligence Agency's Joint Military Attaché School, Airmen learn the actual job of the position they're filling.

In addition, family members are not only involved in the interview process, but also receive training before they depart for their new home, should the country be one where families are allowed. In some cases, this can include language training in addition to briefings they'll need to live in that country.

There are currently 242 Air Force attaché and attaché support positions available at 98 embassies. The defense attaché program is open to officers as well as NCOs with at least a 7-skill level. In addition, applicants should have their records updated and in order before beginning the interview process. For more information, click here to visit the attaché entry on the Air Force Portal

(Additional reporting by Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski and Army Sgt. Catherine Talento)

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