Friends of Civil Affairs (FOCA)

FOCA's Purpose

Take advantage of this opportunity to meet face-to-face with 800+ Civil Affairs Soldiers and their civilian personnel from around the globe during this true training conference. Be a part of the 60+ companies who will receive information for today's needs as well as future needs for several different elements of Civil Affairs (limited space!!). In addition to the exposition, there will be a rotation of classes and may include Industry classes (upon Brigade approval).

The 5th Annual Global Civil Affairs Conference and the Friends of Civil Affairs Exposition will provide a forum for Civil Affairs Soldiers and U.S. government partners to hold open and honest discussion in order to improve the capabilities of Civil Affairs forces. Some of the topics are: efforts in the fields of information sharing, professional education, interagency coordination, communication in austere environments, pre-mission training, Family readiness, risk reduction, force modernization (personnel and equipment), and garrison leadership.

As an integral part of the Special Operations Community, Civil Affairs Soldiers can quickly and systematically identify critical requirements needed by local citizens in war or disaster situations. They can also locate civil resources to support military operations, help minimize civilian interference with operations, support national assistance activities, plan and execute non-combatant evacuation, support counter-drug operations, and establish and maintain liaison or dialogue with civilian aid agencies and civilian commercial and private organizations. Civil Affairs works hand-in-hand with Special Forces, Homeland Security, FBI, CIA and local law enforcements on various levels dealing with wartime efforts, gang related issues, home front concerns and more.

Civil Affairs units include Soldiers with training and experience in public administration, public safety, public health, legal systems, labor management, public welfare, public finance, public education, civil defense, public works and utilities, public communications, public transportation, logistics, food and agricultural services, economics, property control, cultural affairs, civil information, and managing dislocated persons.

Therefore, Civil Affairs touches every spectrum of business to include but not limited to; all training elements, global networking, architecture, safety elements, information technology, tactical, medical, infrastructure; clothing, weapons, teaching tools, sports equipment, water purification systems, electrical systems, foreign language, housing, local and foreign governments, and so much more!

Tactical Civil Affairs was provided to military commanders during Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in Southwest Asia, support to the restoration of the Panamanian government infrastructure during Operation Promote Liberty, management of Haitian refugee camps at Guantanamo Bay and stateside natural disaster assistance in the aftermath of hurricanes Andrew and Iniki.

Civil Affairs Experts were also called on to help rebuild the Haitian civilian infrastructure during Operation Uphold Democracy. They also participated in NATO peacekeeping operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. More recently, Civil Affairs units have deployed with ground combat units in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom to assist the Afghan and Iraqi people in rehabilitating their societies after the Global War on Terrorism brought an end to decades of war and oppression in those countries.

Civil Affairs Soldiers continue to play critical roles in the global peace and stabilization and reconstruction of both countries and they continue to provide support for ongoing missions in countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia and Yemen.

Attendee Information

95th Civil Affairs Brigade. The 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) organizes, trains, equips, and deploys forces worldwide to conduct civil affairs operations to reduce and/or mitigate civil vulnerabilities leveraged by state and non-state actors for legitimacy and influence over relevant populations, in any environment, in support of Combatant Commanders and United States Ambassadors.

United States Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (USACAPOC). USACAPOC(A)'s mission is to organize, train, equip and resource Army Reserve Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations forces for worldwide support to regional combatant commanders and other agencies as directed.

U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School: Recruit, assess, select, train and educate the U.S. Army Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations and Special Forces Soldiers by providing superior training and education, relevant doctrine, effective career management and an integrated force-development capability.

Directorate of Training and Doctrine (DOTD). DOTD Support ARSOF through analysis, design, development, production and integration of training and doctrine.

Civil Affairs Officers from the United States Africa Command: in concert with other U.S. government agencies and international partners, conducts sustained security engagement through military-to-military programs, military-sponsored activities, and other military operations as directed to promote a stable and secure African environment in support of U.S. foreign policy.

Civil Affairs Officers from the United States Pacific Command: together with other U.S. Government agencies, protects and defends the United States, its territories, Allies, and interests; alongside Allies and partners, promotes regional security and deters aggression; and, if deterrence fails, is prepared to respond to the full spectrum of military contingencies to restore Asia-Pacific stability and security.

Civil Affairs Officers from the United States Central Command: With national and international partners, U.S. Central Command promotes cooperation among nations, responds to crises, and deters or defeats state and non-state aggression, and supports development and, when necessary, reconstruction in order to establish the conditions for regional security, stability, and prosperity.

Civil Affairs Officers from the United States Southern Command: ready to conduct joint and combined full-spectrum military operations and support whole-of-government efforts to enhance regional security and cooperation. *State Department's Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization(S/CRS). S/CRS leads, coordinates and institutionalizes the U.S. government civilian capacity to prevent or prepare for post-conflict situations, and to help stabilize and reconstruct societies in transition from conflict or civil strife, so they can reach a sustainable path toward peace, democracy and a market economy.