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  #1  
Old Monday, July 27, 2015
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Default life as a diplomat :)

( An article that is written by an ex American diplomat. I think most of the points he has made will hold true for life in fsp as well.)


A post I wrote in October 2006 called “What is a Foreign Service officer?” ranks among this blog’s most popular entries. I wrote it during the heady days when I was looking forward to a long career as a diplomat and retiring from the Foreign Service. Alas, it was not meant to be. I resigned from the U.S. Department of State last year to pursue other interests, a decision that I do not regret and am thankful I made.

I owe it to readers who read my earlier post a balanced view of the Foreign Service that cannot be found in the Foreign Service Journal, AFSA press releases, State Department literature, or blogs written by diplomats or their dependents. Most of what you read online about the Foreign Service is rosy and, in my opinion, defends it to a fault. Perpetual sunshine about the Foreign Service does not tell the full story and does a disservice to those who are interested in becoming Foreign Service officers and need a more realistic picture of what to expect.

If you are interested in a career as a Foreign Service officer, you should seriously consider these points before embarking on the lengthy and competitive application process. I do not want to dissuade you from pursuing your dream, but you should be aware of some realities of Foreign Service life that are not well publicized. These views are my own but have been reinforced by years of firsthand observations and conversations with peers. Many of my colleagues shared these sentiments.

1. Worldwide Availability. You are expected to be available for service worldwide, and your personal preferences may not be taken into account. You may be called to go somewhere you don’t want to go that could put your life at risk. The needs of the service supersede yours. Expect to serve in places you may not want to be.

2. Separation. Be prepared at some point in your career to be separated from your family and serve unaccompanied. If your spouse or partner also works for the Department, expect to do separate tours at least once in your career, possibly more. As of last year, over ten percent of all posts were unaccompanied. If keeping the family together is your raison d’être, you may be disappointed.

3. U.S. Interests. Expect to promote U.S. foreign policy. There is little room for altruism and idealism if it does not coincide with U.S. interests. These interests depend on the administration in office, and whatever you advocated may change at any time. You do not serve your country. You serve the Federal Government and hope that it is doing what’s best for your country.

4. Frequent Moves. Be prepared to move frequently. In some cases, this may mean a short tour of one year or less in a conflict zone, a short-term assignment, an evacuation, or a reassignment to another post. You will move from place to place every two-to-three years, or sooner, unless you can find a different assignment at the same post. While moving from country to country may seem exciting to some, relocation ranks as one of the biggest headaches for Foreign Service families.

5. Bureaucracy. Get used to working in a bureaucracy. You work for the Federal Government. It may be “cool” being a diplomat, but you are still a member of the bureaucracy. Expect decisions and paperwork to move slowly through the system, if at all. Often they will be “overcome by events,” a fancy term that means you did a lot of work for nothing. You will do an immense amount of paper pushing in the office until you’re senior enough to have support staff to do it for you.

6. Unfair Rules. “Fair” is a four-letter word. Do not expect justice or fairness. The rules are written to be equalizers and may make no sense. Expect “no” as an answer to even the most logical requests and massage the rules until you get to “yes.” You are subject to the Foreign Affairs Manual and federal regulations. In a rule-based organization, those who know the rules and how to work the system tend to do better. Those who expect fairness, justice, or hold firm in their resolve often go wanting. The Foreign Service has few options for those who want to pursue a complaint because the rules were written with the Department’s interests in mind.

7. Multiple Clearances. Do nothing until you have cleared with everyone who needs to approve whatever you’re doing or face potential consequences. Your superiors are ultimately responsible for your actions under mission authority and can take disciplinary action if you misstep. If you’re a free spirit or like to do things your own way, think twice. Measure as many times as it takes to get full clearance and then cut.

8. No Privacy. Do not expect to have any privacy. Your life is on public display, and you are expected to lead yourself in public responsibly. Do nothing privately you would not want to see end up in the pages of the Washington Post. Everyone wants to know what you’re doing. Everyone, inside and out.

9. Unhealthy Work Environment. Expect to work with a variety of personalities from many cultures. Given its high-pressure working environment, the Foreign Service has elevated levels of stress that can negatively influence behavior. While many employees are excellent colleagues, the Department has its fair share of bad bosses and nasty coworkers. The Department’s hierarchical clearance and promotion systems are designed to give leverage to those in positions of authority. They can make your life miserable if you’re not compliant or simply rub them the wrong way. Try to get along, even if it goes against every fiber in your being, because with perseverance you too will rise to a position of authority and eventually exert your own leverage.
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  #2  
Old Tuesday, July 28, 2015
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Default can someone please post some good points about been a pakistani diplomat

this post multiplies my whole motivations with zero. I am so disappointed to know life is so hard while serving as an FSP officer abroad. I wanted to appear in CSS only to serve in foreign services
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Old Tuesday, July 28, 2015
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This post has nothing new. I already know all of this and will still choose foreign service.
Of course! you have to be available anywhere, anytime. This is what would make it worthwhile.
Relocation is not a problem either.
Nothing is a bed of roses, if you rub anyone the wrong way in foreign service. Life will be hell.
Same goes for the services inside the country, hell! It even goes for the corporate world.
Plus it's supposed to give a balanced view of what to expect but NOTHING good at all happens?
P.S: what's the source of this article? I didn't see a link or is it especially written for the forum?

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Old Wednesday, July 29, 2015
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I think everybody know about these facts. Before opting for Foreign Service everyone thinks about these facts that he might be posted anywhere etc. Same is the case with PAS and PSP you might be posted in Gilgit or Balochistan, FATA. If your intentions are to serve the Pakistan being a diplomat then these things can be managed. A diplomat has to represent his country in foreign soil, he has to carry heavy responsibilities on his shoulders. And these factors should be in the mind of every aspirant that their purpose is to serve. And every job demands dedication, life is not a bed of roses. According to my point of view Foreign Service of Pakistan is a wonderful occupational group. It provides opportunity to represent Pakistan at international level especially at UNO. Although i know all these hardships, FSP is my first priority. May Allah help me to achieve my goals.
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Old Wednesday, July 29, 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by emikszone View Post
this post multiplies my whole motivations with zero. I am so disappointed to know life is so hard while serving as an FSP officer abroad. I wanted to appear in CSS only to serve in foreign services
Go with your gut feelings as all groups of CSS have their own plus minuses but FSP being my priority seems best to me with easy working environment and all good stuff in it, once in practical field I,ll post in a more practical way InshaAllah.
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Old Wednesday, July 29, 2015
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I could not give the link because of the forum's rule that one must have posted at least 10 times in order to give links.
Every job has its pros and cons we should be aware of both. nevertheless fsp is a very charming profession better than many in my view. And as for those aspirants who are disappointed i think you should go for the css test if you pass and even if you do not join any service you will have bragging rights like not other
i shall soon post something that shows us the positive side of things as well.
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Old Tuesday, August 04, 2015
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Have the 43rd commoners received there call letters for CTP ? If yes then when will it start ?
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Old Thursday, August 06, 2015
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Not yet....it may start in October,s Ist week.
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