United States Foreign Service

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The United States Foreign Service is the principal diplomatic arm of the United States government, under the aegis of the Department of State. The Foreign Service, described in technical terms, is a personnel system, which was created under the Foreign Service Act to serve as the principal personnel system under which the United States Secretary of State is authorized to assign diplomats abroad. Members of the Foreign Service serve at any of the 265 United States Embassies, Consulates and Diplomatic Missions around the world, as well at the State Department's headquarters in the Foggy Bottom section of Washington D.C. They represent the United States abroad by implementing the foreign policy of the United States and by directly aiding its citizens.

1 History and legislative background
2 Functions of the Foreign Service
3 Foreign affairs agencies
4 Joining the Foreign Service
5 Foreign Service Life
6 Foreign Service career system
7 External links

[edit] History and legislative background

On September 15, 1789, Congress passed an Act creating the Department of State and appointing duties to it, including the keeping of the Great Seal of the United States. Initially the Diplomatic Service -- providing Ambassadors and Ministers to staff embassies overseas -- and the Consular Service, which provided Consuls to assist United States sailors and promote commerce, developed separately.

Throughout the 19th century, Ambassadors and Consuls were appointed by the President, and until 1856, earned no salary. Many had commercial ties to the countries in which they would serve, and were expected to earn a living through private business or by collecting fees. In 1856, Congress provided a salary for Consuls serving at certain posts; those who received a salary could not engage in private business, but could continue to collect fees for services performed.

The Rogers Act of 1924 merged the Diplomatic and Consular services into one Foreign Service. A Foreign Service Exam was also implemented to recruit the brightest Americans, along with a merit based system of promotions. Since the Rogers Act, about two-thirds of US Ambassadors have been appointed from within the ranks of the Foreign Service, and the remaining third have been appointed directly by the United States President.

The Foreign Service Act of 1980 was the last major legisIative reform to the Foreign Service. It enacted danger pay for those diplomats who serve in dangerous and hostile surroundings along with other administrative changes.

[edit] Functions of the Foreign Service

The Foreign Service Act defines 5 categories of personnel, known as "members of the Service". These include:

Foreign Service Officers, along with other US Diplomats represent the United States' political, economic, and military interests abroad. In addition, they are responsible for the adjudication of visas and assistance of U.S. citizens abroad. FSOs are classified into various specialities, including Management, Consular, Public Diplomacy, Political, and Economic.

Foreign Service Specialists perform unique services in support of the State Department worldwide. Examples of specialists include Medical Doctor, Health Practitioner, Information Resource Management, Office Management Specialist, and Regional Security Officer, (Federal law enforcement employment rules apply for RSO positions which are part fo the Diplomatic Security Service).

Foreign Service Nationals are host or third-country citizens hired abroad to perform support tasks at Embassies and Consulates.

[edit] Foreign affairs agencies

While the Department of State is the largest user of the Foreign Service personnel system, other US government agencies are also authorized to use the system for positions that require service abroad, in accordance with the Foreign Service Act. These include the Department of Commerce (Foreign Commercial Service), the Department of Agriculture (Foreign Agriculture Service), and the United States Agency for International Development. (USAID)

[edit] Joining the Foreign Service

For the past fifty years, Foreign Service Officer candidates had to take an all-day written exam. Those who passed were invited to appear for an oral assessment which is an exercise in one’s ability to use general persuasion and interpersonal skills. Beginning in summer 2007, the all-day written exam is to be shortened and information on a structured resume is to be also considered in selecting candidates for the oral assessment.

Foreign Service Specialist candidates are evaluated by Subject Matter Experts for proven skills and recommended to the Board of Examiners for an oral assessment of those skills.

Both Officers, also called Generalists, and Specialists selected for hire must pass extensive background and medical clearances. All Foreign Service personnel must agree to worldwide availability -- that is, they may be called on to serve anywhere in the world. They also agree to publicly support the policies of the United States Government.

[edit] Foreign Service Life

Foreign service members, like other diplomats, are required to serve most of their career overseas. The difficulties and the benefits associated with this are many, especially in relation to family life. Dependent family members often accompany foreign service employees overseas. The instance of divorce among foreign service employees is said to be higher than the national average, but reliable statistics regarding this are difficult to find. The children of Foreign Service members (sometimes called Foreign Service Brats), grow up in a very unique world, one that separates them, willingly or unwillingly from their counterparts living continuously in the states. For both employees and their families the opportunity to see the world, experience foreign cultures firsthand for a prolonged period, and the camaraderie amongst the foreign service and Expatriate communities in general are considered some of the benefits of foreign service life.

[edit] Foreign Service career system

The Foreign Service personnel system is part of the Civil Service known as the Excepted Service and certain categories of are competitively promoted in a system similar to that of military officers.