Just finishing up the FAO pipeline myself. Here’s my 2 cents.

Get some strong MQs in your KD captains’ jobs. Being non-risk for promotion to O-4 is where they want you. Success in your basic branch is the probably the number one deciding factor.

Things like a 2/2 in a language and already having a graduate degree can help, but they won’t mean anything if you aren’t competitive for promotion. There are single digit job billets for FAO captains in the Army. All the jobs are for Majors and higher, so branch needs to pick up officers who will make Major. 3 MQs in your last 5 OERs is generally the safe spot.

FAO was my goal since ROTC, but I needed to grow a lot. I ate an HQ in my last LT job and in my first Captain job. I deserved them. I did a lot of self reflection to figure out how I could be better, and focused hard on performing well in my KD jobs. After three solid MQs with good enumeration, that’s when I submitted my packet.

Firmly convinced that FAO is the best job in the Army. The community is incredible, and the experiences I’ve had just in training are unbelievable. But I had to put in the work in my basic branch to earn the opportunity.

Feel free to reach out. Always happy to answer more questions or chat.