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The United States Foreign Service is a personnel system in the U.S. government established under the Foreign Service Act. It is used by the U.S. Department of State and other Foreign Affairs agencies for positions that require service abroad. Appointments in the Foreign Service are Excepted Service appointments, and therefore exempt from certain requirements of the Competitive Service. The Foreign Service follows an "up or out" career path similar to the military. Distinct from the civil service, Foreign Service employees may only stay in their rank a limited time; those not promoted must leave the Service. As part of the Diplomatic Service, members of the Foreign Service advocate American foreign policy, protect American citizens, and promote American business interests throughout the world. There are 20,588 persons employed in the Foreign Service.
Foreign Service members represent America; analyze and report on political, economic, and social trends in the host country; and respond to the needs of American citizens abroad. They are part of the Diplomatic Service and serve in Washington, DC and at nearly 265 U.S. embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions around the world. Members of the Foreign Service include Foreign Service Officers, Foreign Service Specialists, and Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs).
Foreign Service Officers - also called Generalists - implement and carry out the foreign policy of the United States. Foreign Service Officers are divided into "cones" representing their career focus. The cones are Management, Consular, Public Diplomacy, Political and Economic. While Generalists have only one cone, most will serve in positions across several different cones throughout their career. All Foreign Service Offices, for example, are required to serve at least one year in a Consular position.
Foreign Service Specialists perform unique services in support of the State Department and its Embassies and Consulates worldwide. Examples of specialists include Information Management (IM), Office Management Specialist (formerly Secretary), Regional Security Officer, and Nurse Practicioner.
Both Officers and Specialists carry out their duties at in diplomatic missions around the world and domestically at the State Department in Washington DC as well as other locations.
Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs) are host-country citizens hired abroad to perform support tasks at overseas Embassies and Consulates. FSNs benefit the Foreign Service in several ways. They provide unique local-country knowledge and language skills to the Embassy. They also provide continuity, as FSNs usually spend their entire career at one embassy, while Foreign Service Officers and Specialists rotate postings every 2-4 years. FSNs do not have access to classified information.
Joining the Foreign Service
The US Foreign Service seeks to employ the best and brightest citizens. Foreign Service Officers must take a half-day written exam. Those who pass are invited to appear for a day long oral assessment. Those selected for hire then must pass extensive background and medical clearances.
In addition to diplomatic postings, members of the Foreign Service can also serve in domestic positions. Members of the Senior Foreign Service, like the military, have ranks: new members are called counselors. Some move up to minister-counselor; typically less than ten percent move up to career minister, and a very small number become career ambassadors.
External links
Foreign relations of the U.S. | United States Department of State
"United States Foreign Service"