Lt. Cmdr. Bieu Tran, an Indo-Pacific foreign area officer (FAO) with the U.S. Navy Reserve, expected the usual routine when he arrived for annual training in 2024 at Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet (C7F) in Yokosuka, Japan. He anticipated weeks spent immersed in production and analysis, activities that he closely associated with in his former life as a naval intelligence officer. Instead, he received a surprising directive. The Theater Security Cooperation Director, Cmdr. Tony Le, told him “One of the desk officers is on leave, so I’m sending you to Vietnam.”

Just days later, Tran found himself in Cam Ranh, Vietnam, working alongside C7F staff members, the U.S. Embassy, and Vietnamese authorities to prepare for a port visit to Vietnam by the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), and Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet. As a native Vietnamese speaker and a FAO specializing in the Indo-Pacific region, Tran instantly became a critical member of the team. He bridged cultural and logistical gaps, coordinating with the U.S. country team, Vietnam People’s Navy, Coast Guard, and Border Guard to ensure a seamless visit. The port call, complete with community outreach and a reception aboard USS Blue Ridge, marked a significant milestone in strengthening U.S.-Vietnam relations.

For Tran, this mission was especially meaningful. “Vietnam is my country of birth and where my family came from, so it was very special to be able to represent the United States as a Vietnamese-American naval officer in Vietnam for such a historic occasion. This is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.” USS Blue Ridge and C7F also share a special connection with Vietnam, having rescued many Vietnamese boat refugees after the Vietnam War in the 1970s.

The success of this mission, and Tran's integral role within it, underscores the growing strategic importance of the U.S. Navy Reserve. As the Navy adapts to a changing global landscape and increased strategic competition, reservists are taking on increasingly vital roles, augmenting the active fleet with specialized expertise. As Navy Component Commanders and Numbered Fleet Commands refine the concept of “fighting from the Maritime Operations Center (MOC),” the Navy Reserve is playing a core element in supporting active-duty forces during exercises and real-world operations.

The Navy Warfighting Development Center, in conjunction with the reserve enterprise and the Naval War College, has developed the MAKO-series exercises specifically to help augment reserve understanding of the latest MOC training and processes. Crucially, the Reserves is also prioritizing at-sea experience to hone critical naval skills.

FAOs are at the forefront of this evolution. They are no longer viewed solely as regional experts, but serve as integral team members in all aspects of Fleet planning and engagement. FAOs own the full spectrum of naval operations in their areas of focus. C7F, with its continuous presence throughout the Indo-Pacific, provides an ideal platform for this integration. Operating from the command ship, USS Blue Ridge, C7F conducts regular patrols, fostering partnerships and building interoperability to enhance regional security and advance U.S. warfighting advantage. C7F’s N5 position is held by an active duty Navy FAO, Capt. Jen Barnes, who synchronizes activities across the N5 - plans, exercises, and theater security cooperation – to increase C7F’s lethality. C7F’s theater security cooperation (TSC) shop, is involved in 24/7 fleet operations.

Reserve FAOs have quickly become essential members of this C7F team. In addition to fighting from the MOC, FAOs plan the flag ship’s patrol, build exercises and high-visibility port visits, man the battle watch, coordinate with U.S. Embassies across the Indo-Pacific, conduct staff talks, and orchestrate the Commander’s key leader engagements. 

Building on his success in Vietnam, Tran continued to support C7F’s goals, deploying again with the C7F TSC team on USS Blue Ridge during the C7F’s 2025 patrol to Oceania. For nearly 50 days, he supported C7F Operations, Activities, and Investments (OAIs) across Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, and New Zealand. Culminating in the C7F flag ship’s first ever port visit in New Zealand. He also played a role in planning and executing the Fleet Commanders Roundtable aboard Blue Ridge in Sydney, Australia, a critical engagement that brought together eight allied and partner nations across the Indo-Pacific to strengthen partnerships and advance multilateral interoperability.

This deployment embodies the FAO community’s vision: “FAOs Afloat.” The opportunity to contribute directly to real-world operations, at sea, is a powerful draw for Reserve FAOs. If you’re a motivated officer looking to make a tangible impact on naval strategy in a dynamic region, consider joining the C7F team in the Indo-Pacific.

Navy FAOs are strategic operators who maintain a broad range of military skills and experiences: knowledge of political-military affairs; familiarity with the political, cultural,
social, economic, and geographic factors of the countries and regions in which they are stationed; and proficiency in one or more of the dominant languages in their regions of
expertise. For more information, please visit:
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Community-Management/Officer/Reserve-OCM/Selected-Reservists/RC-Restricted-Line/RC-SELRES-FAO/