The Foreign Service Journal, January 2005

J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 19 be rewarded every year as soon as they receive their point total, not just in those years when they reach a pro- motion threshold. Similarly, the much greater transparency and predictabili- ty would benefit consistently mid- ranked employees as they plan their careers. Lastly, an employee who con- sistently ranks at the low end of the scale could never claim that the department’s decision to consider selection-out, or to allow him or her to “TIC out,” came as a surprise, since the individual would have received written, quantitative feedback every year. In this way, the combination of transparency and predictability that a point system would create would go a long way toward helping the depart- ment or agency come to grips with the longstanding issue of how and when to select officers out. The Senior Threshold The senior threshold is fundamen- tally different from any other type of promotion and should therefore be considered differently. At every other level, the vast majority of Foreign Service employees can realistically expect to be promoted eventually. While a few are selected out, that is the exception rather than the rule. As S P E A K I N G O U T u The department says that long-term training should not disadvantage officers with respect to promotion. But what does that mean in practice? korman communities arlington CORPORATE SUITES arlington, va 880 north pollard street 866.korman.4 : kormancommunities.com live better. brand new luxury high rise : fully appointed one, one bed- room dens and two bedroom corporate suites : state of the art fitness and business centers : heated outdoor lap pool : custom made mahogany furniture : fully equipped kitchens : luxury towels and linens : soft, firm or hypoallergenic pil- low selection : weekday club breakfast serving Starbucks ® Coffee : afternoon Tazo ® Tea : digital premium cable and high speed internet : 27” and 20” sony wega tv and dvd : sony cd stereo : free local phone : on-site management, maintenance, housekeeping : concierge services : walking distance to ballston common mall, ballston and virginia square metro stops 2400 Virginia Ave., N.W Washington, D.C., 20037 Tel: (202) 293-2000 E-mail: leasingoffice@columbiaplaza.net Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 AM-5:30 PM Sat 10:00 AM-4:00 PM 24 Hour Front Desk Garage Parking Avaliable Controlled Access Potomac River Views Minutes to Fine Dining Newly Renovated Kitchens Directly across the street from Main State, minutes to Kennedy Center and Georgetown Beautiful and Spacious: Efficiency$1,100 - $1,250 1 Bedroom 1,400 - 1,700 2 Bedroom 2,100 - 2,700 Utilities Included Complimentary Voice Mail Courtyard Style Plaza Polished Hardwood Floors Private Balconies Huge Walk-in Closets Capital Living With Comfort and Convenience 24 Hour Fitness Center columbia plaza apartments