The Foreign Service Journal, May 2015

40 MAY 2015 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Now for the Good News Fortunately, there also seems to exist a rather firm belief that America will have ever greater need for effective diplomacy and a talented Foreign Service. And Congress has offered some relief for the problems of career, safety and family in the Foreign Service Act of 1980. In such projects as the Family Liaison Office, with its many branches in embassies, the State Department continues to seek solutions for the unique problems confronting its diplomats. And on the sidelines but vociferous, the American Foreign Service Association and Diplomatic and Consular Offi- cers, Retired (DACOR), maintain a vigilant and effective stance. It is also encouraging to note that the numbers of persons taking the Foreign Service entrance exams are in the thousands and increasing every year. And statistics seem to indicate that, for all her independence, the Foreign Service wife, with family, is still accompanying her husband abroad approximately 90 percent of the time. Thus, it seems improbable that the Foreign Service is expiring; more likely, it is, as usual, evolving. Since our first assignment in Morocco in 1952, changes have occurred more rapidly than ever in the Foreign Service way of life. From the beginning, one of the most appealing moments to me came when all the preparations for departure to a new assign- ment were complete and the front door closed behind us for the last time—a moment we were to experience some 14 times in all. Then sweet relief replaced fatigue. The difficult part was over; the great adventure lay ahead. First came the initial stage of the trip, usually to pier side, along which lay the S.S. United States (the swiftest), the Constitution or Independence (the most cruise-like) or the America (the most fun). A Foreign Service friend has long contended that there are only two ways to travel: “First-class and with children.”The S.S. America came closest to combining the two. Unfortunately, these floating hotels have sailed away forever, and Foreign Service families must now fly on U.S. airlines, except in rare circumstances. Congress has offered some relief for the problems of career, safety and family in the Foreign Service Act of 1980. COURTESY OF KIT NORLAND Mrs. Norland, husband Donald, and children (L to R) David, Kit and Richard, soon after arriving in the Netherlands in 1965.