Retiree VP Voice

BY JOHN O’KEEFE

In our time in the Foreign Service, we all have faced crises, coups, and hostile environments. The challenges confronting our profession today are as great as any we’ve ever faced.

We alumni and retirees are at a small remove from the day-to-day strife our colleagues in the foreign affairs agencies experience. In our survey of active-duty members, many described the current environment as one of distrust, full of fear of retribution for speaking truth.

We need to rise to the challenge.

Just what might you do to help? First, reach out to your communities to illustrate how your Foreign Service career focused on service to our shared country.

Second, follow updates from AFSA, particularly those regarding activities in Congress that might affect the Foreign Service. Reach out to your representative or senator to express your views.

Third, engage fellow retirees and members of the Foreign Service in your community.

Finally, consider hosting or attending a fundraising event to support our Legal Defense Fund or the Fund for American Diplomacy.

To get started, consult pages 9–13 of the 2026 AFSA Directory of Retired Members. There you’ll find a list of associations across the country, with contact information for their coordinators.

Foreign Service retiree and alumni associations are in Arizona, Southern California (San Diego area), Central California, Northern California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and West Virginia.

You’ll also find USAID alumni groups, public diplomacy organizations, and DACOR in Washington, D.C.

If there isn’t an association in your area, consider organizing one. Even hosting an informal get-together would be a good first step.

And thanks to all who have already done so much to protect our profession.