The Foreign Service Journal, April 2008

It was not the U.S. that abandoned Afghanistan at that point; it was the actions of the Afghans themselves that caused that outcome. In fact, even after that period a USAID cross-bor- der program continued, until that became too difficult to carry out due to political and security issues within Afghanistan. The statement that the United States turned its back on Afghanistan once the Soviets were out of the way is simply historically inaccurate, as well as extremely unfair to the many people who continued to assist Af- ghanistan in those days. Dr. Frederick E. Machmer Jr. FSO, retired Mount Vernon, Va. Exhaustion and the FS Your January issue on Post-Trau- matic Stress Disorder brought to mind a similar issue that has never been addressed. When I first entered the Foreign Service, I spent a few minutes at the main entrance looking at the list of names on the AFSA Memorial Plaques. To my surprise, one poor soul is listed as having died from exhaustion. I thought, “What am I getting myself into?” Much as I loved this career, after a number of years at it, I found myself deeply exhausted. Dealing with hos- tile or difficult governments, terror- ism and transitions between posts are the most draining challenges. When you are at post, you are literally on call 24 hours a day, and much of your unpaid “personal” time is spent on the phone dealing with problems, in the office trying to catch up, or showing visitors around town, attending em- bassy or diplomatic events, entertain- ing or helping others entertain. I have just retired, and it has taken six months — along with bouts of sleeping 12 hours a day — to regain my normal energy level. In my opin- ion, like teaching, this career is one that needs to give its employees a sab- batical at least every 10 years. Pat Perrin FSO, retired Santa Fe, N.M. Mid-Level Hiring This is in response to several recent letters urging the State Department to A P R I L 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 7 L E T T E R S Interim Accommodations for Corporate and Government Markets Apartments, Townhouses & Single Family Homes “FOR THE EXECUTIVE ON THE MOVE” finder5@IX.netcom.com Locations throughout Northern Virginia and D.C. Units fully furnished, equipped and accessorized Many “Walk to Metro” locations Pet Friendly 5105-L Backlick Road, Annandale, Virginia Tel: (703) 354-4070 Fax: (703) 642-3619 Executive Lodging Alternatives