The Foreign Service Journal, February 2006

My advice to colleagues who are nearing retirement, to help ease the transition from work in the Foreign Service to the private sector, is: l) attend every minute of the Retire- ment Seminar; 2) use the facilities of the department’s Retirement Office to seek work in the private sector; and 3) use the department’s Human Resources people to keep on top of vacancies for WAEs or contract employees. I’ve only dealt with the Retirement Division on a few occasions, but I’ve always found them helpful and ready to serve. Joseph M. Kemper Phoenix, Ariz. Exploring New Endeavors I retired early in 1973, at the point that I had lost 80 percent of my hear- ing, and spent the next seven years caring for my blind mother. By the time she died, in 1984, I was beyond employable age—employable, that is, at anything that would interest me. But I have been active in the League of Women Voters and other civic orga- nizations. This includes being a founding member of a local environ- mental organization, the Cannon River Watershed Partnership. In addition, I have done consider- able translating from Norwegian for book projects (see, for example, David Laskin’s The Children’s Bliz- zard , Harper Perennial, 2005) and have written the introduction to a book published by the Norwegian- American Historical Association. I also wrote an account of my overseas experience during World War II for the Minnesota Historical Society’s Greatest Generation Project. Over the years I have given speeches on my experiences, being sure that I kept up on events in the countries that were the subject of my talks. Brynhild C. Rowberg Northfield, Minn. No WAE! Upon retirement, I worked in two different positions in the director gen- eral’s office as a WAE. I fell into both of these jobs: I had been an FS employee working in policy coordina- tion prior to retirement, and was asked to stay on as a WAE until a per- manent person was hired for the job. Then the director of policy coordina- tion recommended me for a WAE position in career development and assignments until I relocated to Wisconsin in April 2003. I enjoyed both positions and would like more. Subsequent to this, however, I found it impossible to obtain WAE assignments overseas. Department assignments don’t interest me because F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 6 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 49 The Embassy Plan Overseas Insurance Personal Auto & Contents Coverage Experience that helps you avoid the pitfalls of a highly complex business. Repeat business that results from providing what’s best for the customer not the agent nor the insurance company. Since 1969, Harry M. Jannette International has provided dependable coverage with U.S. carriers with a financial rating of A+ or higher to thousands of Foreign Service Personnel worldwide. Thus you gain the broadest U.S. terms and conditions and flexible value limits often not available from other insurance carriers. MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED: SEE OUR WEBSITE APPLICATIONS Harry M. Jannette International, L.L.C. 8111 LBJ Freeway, Suite 585 Dallas, Texas 75251-1334 Toll Free (800) 256-5141 (972) 783-4915 Fax (972) 783-0545 E-mail: hmjintl@jannetteintl.com www.jannetteintl.com • WORLDWIDE COVERAGE Fire, theft, comprehensive and collision protection are available at foreign posts. • U.S. AUTO LIABILITY Available for short term on home leave, change of assignment, and new auto purchase prior to foreign departure. This coverage must be issued in combination with an “Embassy Plan” policy. • FOREIGN LIABILITY Contact your post for compliance with local laws, Excess liability limits are available over local liability coverage. • PERSONAL COVERAGE Household goods and transit, valuable articles, personal liability, life insurance . • EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION INSURANCE Employee association insurance Including directors and officers. Your Reliable Choice