The Foreign Service Journal, May 2007

FLO is also creating a handbook for children left behind that aims to help an overseas parent keep in touch with children, and become reacquainted upon their return. And on Foreign Affairs Day last year, the department issued certifi- cates of recognition to children of parents serving unaccompanied tours overseas. More Sacrifice Ahead So far, State has not had to resort to directed assign- ments — the dreaded process of assigning Foreign Service members to posts against their will. But there was a brief scare earlier this year, when FS-2 generalist assignments were temporarily put on hold until key positions in critical-needs countries were filled. Staples says that he cannot rule out the eventual use of directed assignments, but observes that the incentive package, thus far, has prompted volun- teers to come forward. “It’s gone extremely well,” he says. “We are far ahead of where we were for the sum- mer 2006 assignments cycle. I’m ex- tremely encouraged, and quite pleas- ed to see the response.” Already, more than 1,000 officers have been through Iraq, mostly on one-year tours. But the department, he notes, is planning to ask for still more sacrifice. Staples says that he’d like to extend some tours in order to enable officers to develop better relationships on the ground. “We have to find a way to go to longer tours in more difficult places, but we have to balance that with the issues of family separation,” he says. The department is looking at additional incentives, but Staples admits that they probably won’t include greater pay packages. The cap on pay for personnel serv- ing in Iraq in 2007 is $212,100. “At a certain point, it’s F O C U S M A Y 2 0 0 7 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 25 The fundamental nature of what it means to be in the Foreign Service is changing.