The Foreign Service Journal, September 2003

once, more often than not being “handled” by one or sev- eral members of the FSN staff who have an uncanny way of “leveling the playing field.” I only wish that the folks in the Human Resources Bureau back in Washington could learn this same approach. Time and time again, in communications to or fromHR, the distinction between the generalists and spe- cialists is highlighted by virtue of divergent benefits and opportunities afforded the former and not the latter. As a General Services Officer, and often the only one at post, I was granted “diplomatic status” at every post in which I served. GSOs are required to sign mountains of “legal documents” for the host government and, thus, require diplomatic titles and status. Most of my specialist colleagues, however, did not have diplomatic status. And yes, there were many instances where this created a con- siderable difference in the diplomatic benefits they received. Generally, this included looser restrictions on general- ists importing consumables after three to six months at post, the number of cars that could be registered with diplomatic plates (often zero for specialists), the number of cars that could be imported, exported or sold at post, and the status of the employee and dependents in relation to the laws of the host country. While many of the differ- ences were of little or no consequence to many of the spe- cialists, from time to time, the differences did create bar- riers to the enjoyment of overseas life. There is no question that these differences, when a gen- eralist could do something a specialist could not, caused disharmony, jealousy and ill feeling toward the department. For no matter what face State puts on the real and per- ceived differences, the specter of “God’s chosen” versus “not quite God’s chosen” cannot be hidden or ignored. It will remain a fact of life until the department makes the necessary changes in tradition, law and practice. The first two categories may prove difficult to tackle but the last, practice, is almost totally within the control of the depart- ment and its employees — starting with HR. Roger L. Street Retired GSO Bethany Beach, Del. ■ F O C U S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 3 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 61 * per night, single or double occupancy subject to availability Y our search is over, choose a hotel where the federal per diem rate is available year-round. * Luxurious Suites All rooms with full size kitchen & stove tops Fitness center Complimentary in-room coffee Full service restaurant Parking available Across fromMain State White House, The Mall, and Metro Foggy Bottom station (blue & orange lines) within walking distance Accommodations State Plaza Hotel 2117 E. St. NW Washington, DC 20037 Telephone: (800) 424-2859 (202) 861-8200 Parking Available Rated ★★★ 1 / 2 by AAA www.stateplaza.com E-mail: reservations@stateplaza.com