The Foreign Service Journal, September 2011

26 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 1 1 ing of the National Peace Corps Asso- ciation. The 9/11 attacks threw every- thing into chaos. The NPCA initially announced its plan to cancel the meeting, and the FBF nearly did the same. In that climate, I briefly doubted the wisdom of my decision to join the Foreign Service. But the next day I realized that reaction would mean the bad guys had won. I overcame my doubts, and both groups successfully met the follow- ing weekend. I’ve never looked back. Bob Osborne FSO, Management Section Embassy Kabul Let’s Work Together As a retired FSO who served from 1977 to 2001, and has filled When Actually Employed positions every year since the 9/11 attacks, I offer the following comments for your consideration. Members of the Foreign Service work 24/7 to project American values in all countries of the world. We are a democracy, and we believe in the rights of the individual. Let us not downplay the foundations of our society, or un- dervalue our strengths abroad. We are defenders of America no less than our esteemed military colleagues overseas and, like them, often find our- selves in harm’s way. Also like the military, the Foreign Service depends on all its members to do their jobs effec- tively. Thus, there is an acute need to invest adequately in hiring, training and supporting all our staff. Another key component of an effective work force is an esprit de corps that fosters fairness, cohesion and achieve- ment. A smooth working relationship with our Civil Serv- ice colleagues is highly important, as is continuity of purpose in our overseas posts. The optimal direction of the Foreign Service depends upon leadership that inspires and guides all personnel to work together to achieve com- mon goals and to meet our nation’s essential needs. Good security practices are also essential in running the Foreign Service overseas, but must not inhibit the ability of our diplomatic representatives to do their jobs. Flexi- bility and smart thinking are needed to keep our person- nel safe as they work to meet our goals. Career advancement in the For- eign Service should be based on lead- ership that contributes to the co- herent, unified function of the insti- tution and to the achievement of its goals. Individual achievement is sec- ondary to group achievement when it comes to esprit de corps and the building and maintenance of a supe- rior Foreign Service. The important tasks of representing and defending America are best accomplished working together. Bruce Andrus FSO, retired Montreal, Canada Team-Building is Key The 9/11 terrorist attacks brought American society to- gether in pursuit of a common goal: get the bad guys and make sure this never happens to us again. I was assigned to the U.S. Mission to NATO in Brussels when Article 5 of theWashington Treaty (an attack on one ally is an attack on all) was invoked for the first and only time in the alliance’s history. The sense of mission was already palpable as Secretary of State Colin Powell introduced the department to the concept of team-building, along with a broader concern for “taking care of the troops.” As an institution, however, we failed to internalize his conception of how these addi- tional tools could be used to channel our dedication to achieve our goals. As a result, his efforts to change State’s organizational culture did not survive his departure in 2005. I spent 10 years on active duty as a U.S. Army officer before joining the Foreign Service, including three over- seas tours in Asia and the Middle East. I therefore recog- nized, and wholeheartedly endorsed, Sec. Powell’s team- building campaign, which reflected standard Army leader- ship practices. In the Army’s view, effective team-building lays the foundation for efficient mission accomplishment. All mem- bers work together regardless of their role or specialty, knowing that their contribution is genuinely valued and their personal needs acknowledged and respected. It’s not simply a question of resources (we all know that the De- partment of State’s budget will never match that of the Pen- C OVER S TORY Sept. 11, 2001, did not signify the closing of our nation’s doors and the myriad opportunities for advancement we offer.