The Foreign Service Journal, April 2019

14 APRIL 2019 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL TALKING POINTS GAO Releases Report on “Persistent Overseas Foreign Service Vacancies” I n March, the Government Account- ability Office released a new report, “Department of State: Integrated Action Plan Could Enhance Efforts to Reduce Persistent Overseas Foreign Service Vacancies” (GAO-19-220). This is the GAO’s third report in 10 years on Foreign Service staffing short- falls, and the findings are striking. Despite an increase in the number of positions staffed between 2008 and 2018, as of March 31, 2018, fully 13 percent of State’s overseas Foreign Service positions were vacant—nearly the same vacancy per- centage the GAO found in both 2008 and 2012 (see the graph). According to State’s data, as of March 31, 2018, overseas posts with State’s high- est foreign policy priorities had the high- est percentages of vacant Foreign Service positions. The data also shows high vacancy rates in regions with security risks that could threaten U.S. interests. The vacancies, GAO found, increase workloads, adversely affect morale and make it difficult to perform some important functions such as training and improving processes. GAO acknowledges the State Depart- ment’s various efforts to address the vacancies and the factor of fluctuating appropriations, but points to the fact that the department lacks an action plan that is integrated across its relevant offices and fails to identify the cause of the per- sistent vacancies. Even State’s Five-Year Workforce and Leadership Succession Plan: Fiscal Years 2016-2020 , GAO found, lacks such a com - prehensive focus. “Addressing chronic vacancies in critical positions at overseas posts requires a thoughtful, coherent and integrated action plan that defines the root causes of persistent Foreign Service vacancies along with suggested corrective measures,” states GAO. GAO concludes with one recommen- dation for executive action: “The Secre- tary of State should develop an integrated action plan that defines the root causes of persistent Foreign Service vacancies at overseas posts and provides suggested corrective measures to reduce such vacancies, including steps necessary to implement solutions.” Significantly, GAO notes that its study did not assess whether the total number of authorized overseas Foreign Service positions was appropriate or met State’s needs. Military Brass Urge Support for Diplomacy and Development I n congressional testimony and in public statements, representatives of the U.S. military have been weighing in on plans for the 2020 U.S. federal budget, as they did on previous budgets, urging policymak- ers to “continue to protect resources for America’s International Affairs Budget.” A March 10 statement addressed to legislators by retired admirals and gener- als from all six of the regional combatant commands states: “We know that the military alone cannot keep our nation safe. Diplomacy and development are essential to combating threats before they reach our shores. “We stand with and share the perspec- tives of our fellow combatant command- ers who have testified before Congress in recent days on the strategic importance of the State Department, USAID, and other U.S. development agencies as key partners around the world to protect our interest and our values.” The brass conclude: “As Congress considers next year’s federal budget, we urge policymakers to continue to protect resources for America’s International Affairs Budget. Doing so is critical to keeping our nation safe and prosperous in a world of global threats and great power competition.” Former Senior National Security Officials Oppose National Emergency O n Feb. 25, 58 former national security officials issued a statement in opposition to the president’s Feb. 15 declaration of a “national emergency” that would allow him to divert previously appropriated funds to build a wall along the southern border of the United States.

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