The Foreign Service Journal, May 2006

the high security and communica- tions costs that would have to go with it. I have the sense from reading the FSJ that the department is not faring any better these days resourcewise, and the administration is not really trying to reverse the adverse bud- getary trends. Reading Brandon Grove’s superb Behind Embassy Walls , I understand that my successor denigrated and tried to reverse poli- cies we in M had expended great time and effort in getting adopted, like building the new FSI facility at Arlington Hall, improving training and expanding our ability to deploy personnel overseas. When our bud- get was threatened in OMB, the White House or in Congress — as it regularly was — we had a Secretary of State with the willingness and heft to take the problem on frontally. Several times the Secretary and I went directly to OMB Director Stockman and/or presidential assis- tant Ed Meese to get decisions changed. I personally spent long days on the Hill, or traveling with congres- sional appropriators and authorizers to get our message across. I think career people also must be concerned about how many senior posts, to which career people can reasonably aspire, seem to be packed with non-career appointees. I remember what it does to the out- look and motivation of junior offi- cers to see their future prospects foreclosed by others new or without long-term commitment to the Service. If we are serious about the quality of our diplomatic staff, this is no way to go about creating opti- mism about the Foreign Service as a career and retaining our capabilities to meet demands when these appointees move on, as they surely will. Other serious diplomatic ser- vices continue to look on our prac- tices with astonishment. L E T T E R S u M A Y 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 9 Fully furnished apartments and single family homes, with large spacious rooms, full sized kitchens, and housewares. Separate living, dining and sleeping areas. Hotel style amenities, including swimming pools, hot tubs, fitness centers, optional maid service and more. Rates within the TDY per diem. Whether you are with the Local, State or Federal Government agency or the military, Crimson offers superior solutions to fit your budget and per diem. Crimson Government Housing Solutions Include: Assignment Changes Evacuations Intern Programs International Visitors Project teams Relocations Short / Long Details TDY Training Crimson offers an exceptional value in temporary housing for government personnel. Our furnished apartments and single- family homes are a spacious and more luxurious alternative to the cramped quarters of a hotel room. 202.986.0433 888.233.7759 info@crimsonworldwide.com www.crimsonworldwide.com