The Foreign Service Journal, December 2007

in a rotation in another section with State Department personnel, or rotate to another agency’s section. Rota- tions might be of a short duration; three months would be sufficient to expose personnel to another perspective. These short rotations would be most appropriate for per- sonnel who are not yet in management positions. Longer rotations of up to one year should also be encouraged, potentially as part of the initiative to develop a national security professional corps. Improve access to information across agency lines. Ensure common network access. Many mission per- sonnel are linked together through the State Department unclassified system (OpenNet) and, for those who have classified access, through a classified system. Problems persist for individuals who are not subscribed to OpenNet and who must communicate with their col- leagues across stovepiped legacy networks instead, creat- ing major delays in message traffic. All mission officers should be required to subscribe to OpenNet, or alterna- tives must be found to allow agencies’ unclassified net- works to communicate directly with one another. As handhelds come into common use in the field, all agen- cies must also be on compatible wireless systems that can access the mission’s unclassified network for communica- tions and reporting. Implement embassywide directories. The State Department should develop an internal online directory that overseas missions can populate with full contact information and relevant professional data for all person- nel. A regularly updated directory will prove invaluable as officers find themselves increasingly collaborating and cooperating across mission and agency lines. Extend ambassadors’ authority over perfor- mance evaluations. To further the alignment of ambas- sadorial responsibilities and authorities, the ambassador should conduct performance evaluations for all members of the country team. That authority, now vested in the ambassador for all foreign affairs agencies, should be expanded to all agencies overseas. F O C U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 7 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 43 Interim Accommodations for Corporate and Government Markets Apartments, Townhouses & Single Family Homes “FOR THE EXECUTIVE ON THE MOVE” finder5@IX.netcom.com Locations throughout Northern Virginia and D.C. Units fully furnished, equipped and accessorized Many “Walk to Metro” locations Pet Friendly 5105-L Backlick Road, Annandale, Virginia Tel: (703) 354-4070 Fax: (703) 642-3619 Executive Lodging Alternatives AFSA Book Store Here’s how it works: 1. Go to the AFSA Web site, www.afsa.org . 2. Click on the Marketplace tab (second brown tab from the right). 3. Click on the “AFSA and Amazon Books” icon. 4. Click on “FS Authors” and then go directly to book listings by subject. 5. Shop away! Not only is this a thrifty, efficient way to do your holiday shopping, but AFSA receives a 5-percent commission from Amazon on every item (books, CDs, toys, etc.) ordered in this manner. Books selected from the AFSA Web site book- store generate an even higher commis- sion payment. And ordering through AFSA doesn’t cost you a cent. So book- mark the AFSA site, use the link and help your association — and yourself!