The Foreign Service Journal, January 2012

6 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2 “Male, Pale & Yale” The references in Jon Dorschner’s Speaking Out column (November ) to the Ivy League “male, pale and Yale” stereotype of the old Foreign Service remind me of the following gratifying experience. In early 1963, several members of the 54th A-100 orientation class, including myself, were invited to visit Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations Frederick Dutton. He reminded us of the State De- partment’s diversity efforts to go “be- yond the Ivy”: that is, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia and the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. We were aware of those efforts. He then inquired as to our universities. We didn’t disappoint the assistant secretary. One of our colleagues, Ann Campbell (RIP), had gone to Smith College. Louis V. Riggio Former FSO Hollywood, Fla. Which Foreign Service? I read with dismay Jon P. Dorsch- ner’s “Why the Foreign Service Should Be More Like the Army” Speaking Out column in the Novem- ber Journal . Mr. Dorschner claims he has “never heard esprit de corps men- tioned in the Foreign Service,” says “the Foreign Service spends little or no time explaining to its members why they are doing what they are doing,” and contends that “concern for subor- dinates is not part of the State De- partment evaluation process, nor is there much emphasis on families.” I have to ask: In which Foreign Service didMr. Dorschner serve? Cer- tainly not in the U.S. Foreign Service, and certainly not during the past 25 years! Of course, Foreign Service ca- reers vary greatly and, perhaps, Mr. Dorschner had some unfortunate ex- periences — although he gives no spe- cific examples to back up his claims. But as presented here, his column amounts to little more than a three- page expression of disgruntlement. Perhaps the Journal should consider establishing a “Crank’s Corner” where such submissions could be more ap- propriately published in the future. Carol Urban FSO, retired Rhinebeck, N.Y. A Welcome Reception Please allow me to share my heart- felt gratitude to everyone at AFSA — but particularly President Susan John- son, Executive Director Ian Houston, Retiree Coordinator Bonnie Brown and Awards and Outreach Coordinator Perri Green — for organizing the fab- ulous reception at your wonderful fa- cility on Nov. 3. It was an event my family and I will never forget. I was extremely honored and hum- bled by AFSA’s celebration of my re- ceipt of the Congressional GoldMedal. As we entered AFSA headquarters and saw my photo “big as life” at the en- trance, we felt true elation. What a wonderful welcome! And throughout the evening, members of the AFSA Governing Board and staff who at- tended were so kind to us. As my granddaughter exclaimed at the time, “AFSA is a picture of class!” I was absolutely flabbergasted when I saw fellow Foreign Service collea- gues, some of whom I had not seen for 25 years. Those of us in the Foreign Agricultural Service were a close-knit group, and our common international mission helped us maintain contact. Though retirement caused some of us to lose contact, this reception brought several of us together again. Remem- bering names took a little while, but soon we were all reminiscing happily. In our eyes, the fellowship of your celebration exceeded our experience at the congressional reception earlier that day. Please pass on our very best wishes to all at AFSA. James Iso FSO, retired Roseville, Calif. Doing What We Could I read Donald Roberts’ “Human Rights Report for the Hun Empire, A.D. 451” in your November issue with surprise and amusement. In 1984 I L ETTERS