The Foreign Service Journal, January 2004

I had an epiphany recently. It revealed a truth so basic I was abashed I hadn’t learned it earlier. This truthdawned on me during a courtesy call AFSA’s new president John Limbert paidonAssistant Secretary forAdministrationWilliam Eaton. (The A Bureau is the one that brings you allowances andpouch service and the other basic “foodstuffs” of overseas service.) During the course of the conversation, in which we askedabout the status of the StatePostOffice, overseas schools, etc., JohnLimbertmentioned some of AFSA’s goals. One goal iswhat he terms “prideof profession” andhe saidAFSAwouldnot let thePatRobertsons, Newt Gingriches and Joel Mowbrays of this world get away with taking cheap shots at the Foreign Service. Mr. Eaton asked, “Does this include the Foreign Service taking cheap shots at management employees? We’re Foreign Service, too.” The conversation took an interesting turn. Mr. Eatonnoted that there is a leadership problemwith- in the Foreign Service when one of our “recreation- al activities” is to complainabout our colleagues. You knowwhat Imean. Thedisparaging comments about the authoritarianpolitical cone, “consular fodder” and “Euroweenies,” the tiredoldcharacterizationofman- agement officers as peoplewho tell youhow tobuild a watch when you ask them the time. Then there are the ForeignService specialists, whodonot believe they have been given a proper measure of respect. In the interests of full disclosure, I confess I have been guilty of all of the above. But I have seen the light. Why are we disparaging our colleagues, members of the same Service? They are just as loyal, theywork just as hard, they serve in just asmany hardship posts and expe- rience just as much danger as anyone else. Theymake the same sacrifices and they are just as eager to be recognized and promoted. Howcanwe talk about “pride of profession”whenwe ourselves don’t speak proud- ly of everyone in the Foreign Service, when we aren’t loyal to all of our Foreign Service colleagues, when we don’t present a united front to the world? These snide remarks most certainly creep into the public image of the Foreign Service. This past July,mem- bers of Congress weremaking speeches about how the Foreign Service disparages con- sular work. Now, just where do you think they got this? From us! The Foreign Service is unique in that it manages itself. The people responsible for administering the system, for disciplining us, for assigning us and promoting us, are we. We should be supporting us and sticking up for us, not putting ourselves down. So here’s my advice: Stop it! Right now. Make this your New Year’s Resolution! Speak about your colleagues—both within the department and outside—only with respect. Acknowledge everyone’s contribution. Disparage no one. Be loyal to our Foreign Service. If we aren’t, how can we possibly be surprised when others aren’t? As your mother would nag, “Watch your language and don’t tolerate disparaging remarks about others.” May light dawn on you. Welcome, Aurora. ▫ How can we talk about “pride of profession” when we ourselves don’t speak proudly of everyone in the Foreign Service? V.P. VOICE: STATE BY LOUISE CRANE 4 AFSA NEWS • JANUARY 2004 “SHADDUPA YA FACE” ditions of service in Iraq. AFSA is in fre- quent contact with theHumanResources Bureau. The first issue AFSA raised in a recent meeting with HR was security. AFSAwas pleased tohear thatDiplomatic Security is creating a week-long security course that includes emergency first aid training. (SeeBethPayne’s account of how critical this knowledge can be on page 49 of this issue of the Journal .) As of late November, DS had 12 agents on the ground in Baghdad working to improve the security of employees. AFSA has stressed withHR the hard- ship for employees of being “seconded” to the Department of Defense overseas, which leaves them without reliable access to home agency resources includ- ing e-mail. AFSA is working on such issues as ensuring adequate security equipment and training for employees going on assignment to Iraq; ensuring the ability to participate in the various cur- rent open seasons for benefits; and pushing for assistance with access to bid- dingmaterials for employees in Iraq. The department has assured AFSA it shares these concerns, and recently assigned an experienced HR specialist to Iraq. This specialist will be able to assist State employees with personnel issues that the DoD structure in Iraq does not handle. This new staffing move should help ensure that department employees don’t find themselves shortchanged. ▫ AFSA has stressed with HR the hardship for employees of being “seconded” to the Department of Defense overseas, which leaves them without reliable access to home agency resources including e-mail. Iraq Service • Continued from page 1