The Foreign Service Journal, September 2005

F O C U S 30 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 5 nically remained illegal — and hence potentially subject to blackmail by foreign agents. Promotion Panels. The cor- relation between security viola- tions and failure to be promoted has become quite evident. Promotion panels for those at the FS-2 level and above now have access to employees’ security records for the past five years. Although employees receive written notice of their right to submit explanations for such violations, they may not do so with alacrity, despite AFSA’s efforts to remind members of those avenues. Additionally, if an FSO has had three security violations within three years, a prospective promotion can be delayed or even denied pending the outcome of disciplinary and griev- ance proceedings. At AFSA’s insistence, the department ceased its practice of temporarily remov- ing names from promotion lists, pending security retraining, of those em- ployees who had 30 or more secu- rity incident points. Further- more, an officer’s name is only removed from the list if there is a pending investigation or discipli- nary action. However, perhaps more damaging to morale is the anticipation among FS personnel that promotion pan- els will use the presence of a “rap” sheet (regardless of how harmless or explicable the specific infractions cited) as a quick sorting mechanism for mid-ranking a candidate. After intensive discussion with State management, AFSA believes that its efforts mitigated initially harsh- er proposals. But promotions are always fewer than the number qualified, and the new security rules and the * 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. * t Luxurious Suites t All rooms with full size kitchen & stove tops t Fitness center t Complimentary in-room coffee t Full service restaurant t Parking available t Across fromMain State t 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 HHH 1 / 2 by AAA www.stateplaza.com E-mail: reservations@stateplaza.com Promotion panels for those at the FS-2 level and above now have access to employees’ security records for the past five years.