The Foreign Service Journal, March 2006

M A R C H 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 43 F O C U S O N I R A Q A N D T H E F S S TAFFING B AGHDAD : I NPUT FROM THE F IELD he final question on the Iraq service survey (sent to Foreign Service members by AFSANET) asked for opinions about the possibility of directed assignments to Iraq. More than 200 employees chose to answer this question. Of the 153 respondents who had not served in Iraq, the majority (96) expressed sen- timents against directed assignments. Twenty-nine thought directed assignments would be appropriate, 22 did not lean clearly one way or the other and six declined to answer the question. Of the 55 who had served in Iraq, the opinions were evenly split between being in favor and being opposed to directed assignments to Iraq. Several issues arose repeatedly. One was concern about how directed assignments could be made fairly. Another was the question of whether worldwide availability should apply to war zones. From those who have served in Iraq, many noted that they did not want people working in a combat zone who are there against their will, while others wanted the burden of staffing Iraq to be shared more broadly in the Service. Here is a sampling of the opinions expressed. — The Editors I don’t think the department should send a lot of people to Iraq who don’t want to be there. They sim- ply wouldn’t be effective working in that environment. Mid-level FSO who has served in Iraq u My family and I are serving my country every day under difficult conditions. Iraq has a different, far harsher set of security conditions, which would ordinar- ily call for drawing down operations. The goal of our civilian Department of State in Iraq has never been explained clearly. Entry-level FSO Upon entering the Foreign Service, we swore to uphold the U.S. Constitution and agreed to worldwide availability. If directed assignments are necessary, we should either serve or resign. Mid-level USAID FSO who has served in Iraq u I believe attrition rates will jump. … They ought to first consider fair-share bidders, as many officers have already served and will continue to serve in hardship posts. Mid-level FSO T “A S PRESSURE MOUNTS TO FILL MORE POSITIONS IN I RAQ , TALK TURNS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF DIRECTED ASSIGNMENTS . P LEASE GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS POSSIBILITY .” Continued on page 47