bout de papier, Vol. 14, No. 3 (1997) — Fall 1997 // Automne 1997, p. 3
I very much appreciated Marie Stamp’s article in the Summer edition of BP regarding the issue of whether serving abroad will be worth it for those officers just proceeding abroad on their first assignments. Hopefully it will be, if people like myself can offer some inspiration and challenges to the new charges. It may be a fact that being a member of the Foreign Service is no longer its own reward, if it ever was, but there are still some ’rewarding’ experiences to be had for those with energy, patience, and talent. You just cannot expect too many material rewards. This is truly public service.
Marie referred to long-serving FS-2’s in her article, and speculated on how we must feel if the new crew feels ignored, unchallenged and underpaid. Indeed, after 25 years in the Foreign Service, I must admit to frustration with the lack of promotion, the seeming disregard for the contributions which experienced FS-2’s provide to the Department, and the increased penchant of the Department to treat its senior employees as criminals or administrative nuisances. Then there is anger (a very undiplomatic emotion) at the cheap labour the Department benefits from as we are ever asked to do more, including managing major issues and at times Missions, for a salary which doesn’t match that of some garbage collectors. Of course, we are expected to grin and bear it. After all, we do have a job and spend most of our time relaxing in sunny climes!!
Yes, Marie, we mature (as opposed to ageing) FS-2’s have enormous grounds to complain about our status in this Foreign Service of the 1990’s. But we did emerge in a different era. We recognize the importance of what we do, the value of diplomatic talents honed through trial and tribulation over the years, the need to work with new officers to keep the tradition alive. A lot of griping doesn’t aid this process, so we usually proceed in silence, aiming to achieve personal if not professional satisfaction.
The Foreign Service is a very different animal than it was 25 years ago. The 50 hour work weeks have become 70 hour work weeks. Those below you anxiously await your demise, while those above help to expedite this process. The FS-2 “squeeze” is an amazing phenomenon, perhaps worthy of review by AGH. Does our spirit wane under this squeeze? Never! Having brought intellectual masochism to new heights, we will stay in the race until the end…or our children graduate from university. And we will clutch that 25 year service plaque (unless they have been discontinued) close to our chests, a sign of our survival in this vagabond life. Ah! I am envious of those who have the option of choosing another career path should the one they are on prove unrewarding.
Bryan Burton Harare, Zimbabwe
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 14, No. 3 (1997) — Fall 1997 // Automne 1997, p. 3. Read the rest of this issue →
