The Foreign Service Journal, February 2009

that 41 percent did not expect to remain in the Service for a full ca- reer, that number dropped to 21 percent this year (although there was a marked rise in the number of those who responded “not sure”). Again, hundreds of com- ments suggested that the main reasons for this turnaround were relief at the department’s less heavy-handed approach to war- zone assignments this year and an- ticipation of progressive change with the arrival of a new adminis- tration. The unmistakable impression that emerges from a careful reading of member comments in this poll is of a proud, dutiful Foreign Serv- ice accustomed to the increasingly difficult challenges we face overseas and ready for the uphill task of restoring American diplomacy and leadership abroad — but at the same time keenly aware of the need for improvement in the way our leaders treat the diplomatic profes- sion and the men and women who devote their lives to it. 42 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 9 A F S A N E W S Survey • Continued from page 41 A whopping 98 percent of respondents believe that "Foreign Service members, especially senior officers, have a duty to provide frank, constructive advice to the political leadership ... even if that advice is not welcomed by the superior." To see the report in full, visit the AFSAWeb site at www.afsa.org .