The Foreign Service Journal, November 2008

F ifty years ago, in September 1958, 16 Foreign Service offi- cers, three colonels from the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, and a captain from the Navy assem- bled for the first course of what would become known as the Senior Seminar in Foreign Affairs. The Department of State had followed the example of the Department of Defense in creat- ing the seminar, modeled on the National War College. Such luminaries as John Foster Dulles and Loy Henderson partici- pated in the decision to create the course for senior Foreign Service offi- cers. Willard Barber was the first director of the program. In addition to senior FSOs and high-ranking armed forces officers, the course grew to include members of other depart- ments and agencies with a direct stake in the formulation and implementa- tion of foreign policy. This increased the average student presence to about 30, half of them from State. Each seminar was conducted for an acade- mic year. As implied by the name of the course, seminars were the primary aca- demic technique. A stellar list of opin- ion and policy leaders from a wide range of institutions — universities, think-tanks, Congress, other executive branch departments and the judiciary — presented ideas to the class. Comments were typically not for attri- bution, in order to spark dialogue. Remarks were always followed by in- depth, often animated discussion. One of the overarching character- istics of the program from the begin- ning was domestic travel. The pur- pose was to give participants first- hand experience with the full range of American issues before they went abroad to represent our country in senior positions. The classes met with teachers in classrooms, rode with police officers in inner cities, spent time and did chores with farm fami- lies, and talked with civic leaders and local-government officials across the nation. Such trips gave the members exposure to the ideas and experiences of those who would otherwise not be available to speak to the class in the Washington area. A unique feature of the course was the direct role that the students played in organizing the program. Under the leadership and supervision of a more senior FSO, usually an offi- cer who had served as an ambassador, the students chose the topics that they wanted to explore during the year. They then pursued speakers and arranged the academic schedule, both here in Washington and on the vari- ous trips. Requiring the members to do much of the organizing work kept staff overhead to a minimum and cre- ated opportunities to develop man- agement proficiency. To build execu- tive talents, the course included instruction and practical exercises in such time-proven abilities as negotiat- ing, public speaking, press relations, health and fitness, and personal and embassy security. Secretary of State George Shultz was a supporter of the Senior Semin- ar. He characterized it as an adult educational experience, not a training program. He said that education broadens one’s horizon and changes attitudes or behaviors; training is the transfer of a skill from one to another. He went on to declare that the Senior Seminar was designed for education, not for training. While the Senior Seminar was modeled on the National War Coll- ege, offering travel, world-class speak- ers, thought-provoking discussions and study, it failed to evolve to meet changing times and needs. So in 2004, State turned its back on the seminar and walked away from long- term professional education for senior Foreign Service officers. In doing so, the department abandoned its role as “first among equals” when it came to educating its officers and others for their place in the development and execution of U.S. foreign policy. In contrast, two professional mili- tary education programs — one American, one Canadian — faced similar challenges and took action to remain relevant in their respective defense establishments. Their exam- ples are instructive. 12 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8 It’s Time for State to Educate Senior Officers B Y R OBERT B. N EWLIN S PEAKING O UT The Senior Seminar is unlikely to return, but a new program could revive the best aspects of the original approach.