The Foreign Service Journal, November 2021

FSJ Coverage: We Asked, You Answered AFSA NEWS THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2021 89 In July, at the start of the 2021-2023 AFSA Governing Board, AFSA surveyed mem- bers to find out what types of AFSA programs members prefer. (See results in the October FSJ , p. 70. ) In addition, members were asked the following question: What kinds of topics or issues would you like to see covered more extensively in The For- eign Service Journal ? Of the 513 people who answered, 294 said they would like to see more coverage of topics internal to the Foreign Service, such as retirement and pension issues, promotion, reten- tion, disciplinary issues and trends, how FSOs can improve their management skills, structural reform, support for tandem couples, singles and FS families, and more on the other foreign affairs agencies. Another 114 people said they would like to see more coverage of external foreign policy issues, including diplo- matic history. Thirty-nine people answered that they would like to see increased coverage of diversity, equity and inclusion issues, while two said they would like to see less. Following are some of the comments from readers about what they would like to see more of in the FSJ : • “More op-eds from FSOs about their experiences to highlight the diversity across our ranks, interviews or joint articles about successful cross-agency tandems and DETO [domestic employees teleworking overseas], and dissent channel best prac- tices.” • “1) AFSA advocacy issues 2) Health and safety - what is the government doing to improve our health and safety while living/working in areas with poor health care and severe pollution.” • “How ‘diplomacy’ and the implementation of U.S. foreign policy goals and pro- grams increasingly involve the whole of the federal govern- ment, in particular the non- foreign affairs agencies.” • “You’re way WAY too heavily skewed toward only talking about State Foreign Service. You need to also have a balanced approach with talking about USAID Foreign Service as well. There is not sufficient parity between the two organizations despite there being only one Foreign Service!” • “Historical ‘case studies’ of diplomatic/foreign service challenges/resolutions.” • “Lived experiences of minority Foreign Service officers, more articles from non-State officers, more on accountability, grievance board outcomes and legal case files. Also of interest is parity with the military and pet shipment issues.” • “The FSJ is generally excellent. Given high interest in promotion rates in recent years, I suggest asking GTM/ OTA to do an article explain- ing why promotion rates are slower now than they were in the 90’s (pig in the python effect, hiring surges, budget issues, etc.).” • “More on retirement issues. This impacts us all and good retirement advice early can be life changing.” • “Very happy with the current mix.” • “I would like to see more stories about Foreign Service specialists. Security Engi- neers, Technicians, IT, FMOs, etc., do an incredible amount of work every day.” • “Taxes, MOH employ- ment, foreign contact report- ing, issues that might have an impact on security clearance, employment for foreign born EFMs.” • “More frequent discus- sion of U.S. Commercial Service. Still amazed how many State FSOs still don’t understand what we do.” • “Leadership accountabil- ity, especially examination of how department leaders in Washington and the field did or did not take care of our people during the COVID crisis.” • “Policy issues and for- eign relations by country and issues of national security. Leave the social problems and diversity perceptions out of the Journal and concen- trate on the profession of diplomacy and international affairs.” • “The Journal is too academic, would like it to be more focused on work- force issues. An ‘AFSA in Action’ column on what AFSA is doing on behalf of its members: advocacy on the Hill and with the depart- ment (readouts), trends on complaints received or interesting cases on which it is providing assistance (leav- ing out details that would identify individuals).” • “Keep doing what you are doing!” • “How to make diplomacy more relevant to American citizens as it continues to be something that only matters to them when they have a problem when traveling, or when an issue becomes the subject of political debates.” • “Issues that prevent FSOs and/or their families from serving overseas: MED clearance of children related to special needs, MED clear- ances generally, how to push back on overly restrictive DS decisions and actions, how to identify schools and other educational options for spe- cial needs students, etc.” • “Hard to say, since I think editors do great job. And sometimes I go back to catch an article, e.g. ‘Dante in Syria,’ that I would have missed if not for letters to editor.” Thank you to all who responded. We will take your feedback into account as we plan future issues of The Foreign Service Journal . Please keep sending ideas to journal@afsa.org. n