The Foreign Service Journal, February 2008

The Importance of Loyalty I write to commend John Naland for his thoughtful column highlight- ing the importance of self-awareness among Foreign Service personnel (President’s Views, December). I am a particular admirer of Chas Free- man, one of our most creative and articulate diplomats. The issue Freeman raises about FSO attitudes is especially pertinent. Some years ago (30 or so!), I wrote an article for the Foreign Service Journal titled “Diplomat, Heal Thyself.” After a tour as deputy executive secretary (S/S), I was especially concerned that a few FSOs appeared to be more concerned with their own careers than the needs and challenges of the Service. This was especially true during the years of the William Rogers-Henry Kissinger rivalry, when some senior State officers curried favor with Kissinger by leaking memos and cables, thus undermining the authority of the department. Training will help, and part of this training must be designed to build a sense of esprit de corps and loyalty to the State Department. Colin Powell understood this whole area of leadership, attention to morale and loyalty to his “troops” and practiced it brilliantly. Sadly, his example is not often followed. R.T. (Ted) Curran FSO, retired Frankfort, Mich. Where’s the Vision? We have focused so much at- tention on the immediate challenges facing the Foreign Service that we appear to be losing sight of the bigger, fundamental question. Our entry- level officers and specialists are being told that over the span of a career of 20 to 30 years, they can expect to serve one out of three tours in hardship posts, and two to three unaccompanied tours. What does this say about our vision of the world, and the role of U.S. diplomacy in shaping its future? Looking to our future Foreign Service leaders — those who joined within the last five years — I believe that those of us in senior posi- tions should frame for them a new, positive vision, and give them the means and wherewithal to achieve it. The Foreign Service cannot afford to have its people spending the next 20 to 30 years in bunkers and for- tresses; nor can the U.S. afford to lose the world’s youth to radicalism, con- flict and poverty. If the next genera- tion of the Service has to serve multi- ple tours in dangerous, unaccompa- nied posts, then both it and our country will have failed. Jane B. Zimmerman Deputy Chief of Mission Embassy Nicosia The Other Unaccompanied Posts In the recent furor over directed assignments to Iraq, a critical point was overlooked by the State Depart- ment, Congress, AFSA and the me- dia. There are currently 12 unaccom- panied posts in the world, where conditions are judged to be too dangerous for families. Considerable numbers of Foreign Service person- nel have served ably and with dedi- cation in those places, often in wartime conditions. This number will only grow. Whatever evolves in Iraq, hardship service and family separa- tion will be key features of the Foreign Service from now on. I accept this need and I am ready to serve. I believe that many of my colleagues would concur. The For- eign Service is composed of dedicated professionals, committed to further- ing U.S. national interests. That said, such a shift in mission to an expedi- tionary diplomatic force imposes some obligations on State Depart- ment management. I signed an agreement to serve worldwide; my family did not. This has direct and real consequences. I have volunteered for service in a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. It is hazardous duty in a “critical need” post. Afghanistan is a war zone, and a major U.S. foreign policy objective. Or is it? The job for which I have volun- teered is vacant. I have been asked to curtail my current assignment to arrive as soon as possible, which I am prepared to do. But, as we all know, under existing rules, once I accept an assignment to Afghanistan, my family 6 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 8 L ETTERS CORRECTION Due to a printing error, the final line of Kristin Loken’s article in the January issue (“Not Just for Combat Veterans”) was cut off on p. 45. Here is the full sentence: “But at least now I recognize what’s hap- pening early and know to give my- self the luxury of more sleep and less pressure until I’m back to nor- mal.”