The Foreign Service Journal, November 2003

A Poached Byline I would like to correct the byline on the article “Assisting Anti-Poaching Efforts in Chad” contained in your September issue. When asked for my input on what specialists do in the Foreign Service, I incorrectly assumed that it would be published as a few short paragraphs accompanied by some photographs. Although I am very proud of the project and the part I played, the article was based on the after-action report written by Les McBride, longtime employee of Embassy N’Djamena, and should have had his byline on it, not mine. Les McBride has been finding innovative ways to fund and imple- ment valuable projects in Chad for many years. I am a great admirer of his substantive accomplishments in this, among the poorest of countries, and like the many people in Chad who have expressed their gratitude, I want to make sure he gets the credit he is due for his wonderful work. Les, keep fighting the good fight! Joe Cole Information Program Officer Embassy Istanbul Fewer Class Distinctions, Please I received my copy of the latest Foreign Service Journal (September) yesterday and read pretty much every- thing in the issue regarding specialists. There were some very interesting comments from my colleagues. Good issue. I am pleased to know that after 32 years in this organization, I am not the only person who feels that specialists have been slighted and treated as second-class citizens. The comments about FSOs not knowing what specialists do or that there are differ- ences in treatment or benefits between FSOs and specialists are absolutely right on. It happens day in and day out, and it even happens in the Journal . As I have stated previous- ly in letters I have written, I don’t expect print media journalists to know or understand the differences, but within our organization, they certainly should be known. Former Director General Davis’ comment that, “We are all interde- pendent. We are all members of the Secretary’s ‘One Team; One Mission’” was particularly entertaining. I know that she honestly believes what she says, but the reality is different. Perhaps she was referring to one team, but the first string, the second string, etc. In that regard, I agree wholeheartedly with what Nanette Krieger, whom I know personally, said in response. Years ago, I was invited by a junior officer group to speak to them about the differences between FSOs and specialists from my perspective. Some of them were somewhat shocked to learn that they, as JOs in their first assignment, were entitled to more privileges than I, a specialist with more than 16 years of service. I understand why some specialists feel slighted because they are not asked to attend country team meet- ings or invited to representational events. However, the slight soon fades when you are obligated to do these things. Most of what is dis- cussed at country team meetings could easily be handled through e- mails to all employees. As for repre- sentational events, without language training, they become a real bore. So, dear specialists, consider yourselves lucky. One thing that really struck me was that most of the comments came from specialists who are in categories that are distinct, such as DS, IM, OMS, etc. What was not addressed were the positions that can be filled by both specialists and FSOs — e.g., GSO, FMO and HRO. This dual competition for positions is, I believe, slanted toward FSOs. I would be very interested in knowing how many GSO positions at the largest and most popular posts (London, Paris, Rome, etc.) are filled by GSO specialists. It has been argued in the past that perhaps all FS-2 and FS-1 jobs in GSO, FMO and HRO should be reserved for the specialists in those job categories, but that never went anywhere for obvious reasons. I even spoke to a former DG about this and the DG’s comment was that GSOs (HROs and FMOs were not mentioned in the comment), once they reach the FS-2 level, should be converted to FSOs and be allowed to serve in any management position. I’m not sure I agree with that, but it at least provided recognition that GSO specialists who reach the FS-2 level have, generally speaking, more man- agement experience behind them than FSO management officers of the same grade. I also agree with Mark Butchart, who stated he dropped out of AFSA L ETTERS N O V 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 7