The Foreign Service Journal, October 2014

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2014 31 the red tape when needed—but often it’s the specialists who take the heat at post. Specialists vs. Generalists And that brings us to the elephant in the room: the rumored animosity between generalists and specialists. Is it a reality or a myth? Much of the “caste system” seems to be disappearing, although some complaints of ill-treatment on both sides do pop up. Misconceptions about specialist job descriptions and background are a factor; but another is fueled by manage- ment, particularly situations where generalists are in positions where they manage specialists. As one FS community member puts it, “Management-coned people can be specialists or gen- eralists, and there is some friction there.” In informal feedback to the Journal , several specialists complained anonymously that they feel generalists look down on them. “Not sure if they are breeding that attitude in A100 [orientation], but it persists,” one remarked. A more prosaic factor that can a ect specialist morale at post has to do with the Vienna Convention and its vaguely worded stipulation dividing diplomats posted overseas into two categories: those who hold diplomatic privileges and immunity, usually with the title consul or secretary, and “sup- port sta ” who do not receive the same privileges. Explained a specialist who wishes to remain anonymous: “At many embassies [specialists are] not accredited and do Much of the “caste system” seems to be disappearing, although some complaints of ill-treatment on both sides do pop up.