The Foreign Service Journal, June 2008

Addressing the Cultural Component Other functional policy bureaus and offices could adopt at least some of the implemented recommenda- tions outlined above — e.g., EER training sessions, bureau orientation and training sessions. As an additional incentive, I would note that implementation of these rec- ommendations already has increased understanding with- in T of the differences in perspective between FSOs and Civil Service personnel. While this trend is highly commendable, we need to go further. Mindful of this fact, the working group recom- mended that consideration be given to increasing the number of FSOs serving in T. The rationale is that chang- ing the mix of personnel necessarily would change the institutional culture, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of T assignments and Foreign Service engagement in the bureaus’ missions. The FSOs on the working group appreciated that increasing their representation could affect Civil Service opportunities, particularly for management positions. They therefore recommended that the issue be addressed with sensitivity, taking into account broader factors, such as the departmentwide mix of Foreign and Civil Service positions and career development options for both groups. (In that spirit, regional bureaus should also pro- vide more opportunities for State’s Civil Service cohort.) Narrowing the cultural divide between Foreign and Civil Service employees — and between regional and functional bureau personnel — at State and the other for- eign affairs agencies must be a priority. As a bonus, progress will make State more effective, increasing its bureaucratic clout. Ultimately, however, implementing structural changes to encourage and promote functional policy expertise as much as regional and country expertise is even more important. Only through such changes will the depart- ment be successful in drawing more FSOs into functional policy assignments, encouraging them to develop the functional policy expertise that the Foreign Service requires to meet the challenges of the 21st century. n F O C U S 42 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J U N E 2 0 0 8