The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2020

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JULY-AUGUST 2020 71 Waiting for Takeoff Stephanie Allen ■ Arlington, Virginia I was a newly hired diplomatic courier who had just finished training when the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and change- of-station (PCS) hold began. My courier class, which was five strong, was excited and ready to start our careers, and then, almost overnight, we went from full steam ahead to full stop. Having lived in Cam- bodia for many years, I was no stranger to “going with the flow.” What has struck me the most about this experience, however, is the feeling of isolation. Staying alone day after day in a tem- porary apartment—my fiancée and cats 8,000 miles away—has been a challenge. I miss them very much. I have been combat- ing this confinement with gratitude. I am thankful that I remain employed, that I have a safe place to weather the crisis, and that my older parents and brother are safe and healthy, as well. Althoughmy time here at the State Department has not really started yet, I know that when we all return to our roles we will be doing so in a changed world. I am grateful that I will be part of that effort. I tell myself that staying healthy and being ready when called is my job right now. I often refer to the “United States Depart- ment of State Professional Ethos,” which I was given during my SOAR class (Specialist Orientation and Readiness; the 155th), and pay close attention to the line: “As a member of this team, I serve with unfailing professionalism in both my demeanor and my actions, even in the face of adversity.” Reading this ethos, par- ticularly that line, gives me added purpose during this unusual time when I feel disconnected and less than useful. The second weapon in my arsenal against the loneliness of quarantine is technology. The department’s quick pivot to telework has allowed me to keep the new information I have learned during my training (but haven’t had the opportunity to use yet) fresh in my mind. Technology has helped me stay connected to my fam- ily and my fellow couriers. My courier class has had a video chat facilitated by our operations officer in Washing- ton, D.C., and not a day goes by that I don’t hear from colleagues. It helps that my future post in Bangkok invited me to join in their video conference training, as well. This camaraderie really makes a dif- ference and goes a long way in keep- ing a new hire, who’s stuck in limbo, feeling part of the team. I know that at some point this stressful and tragic crisis will be behind us. I know that we all will be stronger on the other side of it. I hope to meet you during my eventual travels as a courier. Until then, stay safe and healthy, and I’ll see you out there soon. n Stephanie Allen is a newly hired Foreign Service diplomatic courier at the Department of State, having onboarded in January 2020. Assigned to the Bangkok Regional Diplomatic Courier Divi- sion, she writes from Arlington, Virginia. Her prior career was in aviation. Based in Southeast Asia as a pilot, she also owned and operated an art gallery in Cambodia that sold local Khmer art and handicrafts. She is an FAA-licensed airline transport pilot and flight instructor. Having lived in Cambodia for many years, I was no stranger to “going with the flow.”What has struck me the most about this experience, however, is the feeling of isolation. Stephanie Allen working in temporary quarters in Arlington, Virginia. COURTESYOFSTEPHANIEALLEN