PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017

2016 AFSA TAX GUIDE

AMERICA NEEDS CAREER AMBASSADORS

FOREIGN SERVICE January-Feburary 2017 Volume 94, No. 1

27 COURTESY OF THOMAS C. ADAMS C. THOMAS OF COURTESY Focus on Notes to the New Administration Feature 18 27 Mr. President, Foreign Assistance: You Have Partners at State Time to Sharpen a to Help Navigate Vital Diplomatic Tool 44 the World’s Shoals Here are eight recommendations to Developing the The new administration’s challenge rationalize U.S. foreign assistance and, Next Generation of is to sustain U.S. leadership in an thus, greatly increase its effectiveness. Followers at USAID increasingly unhinged world. By Thomas C. Adams We need to better understand By Keith W. Mines followership—not just because it essentially complements 33 leadership, but for its own 23 Notes to the specific qualities. One Story, Two Events, New Administration By José M. Garzón Seven Leadership Lessons Members of the U.S. Foreign Service Policy crises and human crises in brief the Trump team, briefly. faraway places—the stuff of diplomacy today—offer compelling lessons in leadership. By Prudence Bushnell

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 5 FOREIGN SERVICE

Perspectives 97 Reflections Departments Rip Van Winkle in 7 the Foreign Service 10 Letters President’s Views By Donna Scaramastra Gorman Dear S: You Can Count on Us 11 Talking Points By Barbara Stephenson 83 In Memory 9 98 89 Books Letter from the Editor The Diplomacy Brief By Shawn Dorman

15 Marketplace Speaking Out Why U.S. Ambassadors Should Be 91 Classifieds Career Professionals 98 Local Lens By Edward L. Peck 94 Real Estate Mestia, Georgia By Francesca Kelly 96 Index to Advertisers

AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION 48 AFSA Thanks Outreach Participants 49 State VP Voice—Speaking of Elections 50 FCS VP Voice—Results Matter 50 AFSA 2017 Dues Change 51 Retiree VP Voice—“To Support and Defend the Constitution” 52 Call for Nominations: 2017-2019 Governing Board 55 An In-Depth Look at the New MSI Process 56 AFSA Bylaw Amendments 58 AFSA Governing Board Meeting Notes 60 58 AFSA Welcomes New BBG Rep 59 The Foreign Service Networks at AFSA 59 A Thank You to Ambassador Farrand 60 AFSA Applauds JSP Graduates 61 Congress Passes FY17 State Authorization Bill 62 62 2016 AFSA Tax Guide

On the Cover: Design by Gemma Dvorak.

6 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL PRESIDENT’S VIEWS

Dear S: You Can Count on Us

BY BARBARA STEPHENSON

he focus of this month’s Foreign I want to encourage the new administration Service Journal is “Notes to the to rely heavily on us, the career professionals, New Administration.” As I write, T we are all awaiting word on the to advance American interests. president-elect’s choice for Secretary of State, and our Foreign Service colleagues interests writ large and to Americans from opportunities. Sometimes you may not like at USAID, and in FCS, FAS, APHIS and all walks of life. our reports and advice so much, when we BBG are similarly tuned to news of key Like the majority of Americans, I sup- must advise you that something just won’t appointments. port sharing the burden of that global fly, when even asking would carry a heavy In short order we will introduce our- leadership. I have spent a good part of cost. selves to our new “S” and a host of other my career persuading other countries to We are hard-wired to give you an new arrivals to explain who we are, what pitch in and lighten the load on American unvarnished reality check. It starts with the we do and why it matters. taxpayers. oath of office we take on entering the Ser- I want to get this right and, in doing so, I am honored to lead the American vice—to protect and defend the Constitu- encourage the new administration to rely Foreign Service Association, the voice of tion. Our commitment to honest judgment heavily on us, the career professionals, to the Foreign Service. (Almost 80 percent is reinforced with the annual evaluation advance American interests. Here is what I of active-duty members of the Foreign cycle, which requires us to demonstrate plan to say: Service choose to join AFSA and stay with that we can “discern when well-founded Congratulations on your appointment us throughout their careers, and many constructive dissent is justified” and to lead the State Department, consis- remain members in retirement.) “advocate policy alternatives.” Evaluations tently rated one of the best places in the As Foreign Service professionals, we matter, because we are rank-ordered each federal government to work. I, myself, am are proud of our rigorous selection process year for promotion, and those who do not a Foreign Service officer, and I hail from (which whittles down some 15,000 appli- get selected for promotion on time are the part of State’s workforce that deploys cants each year to 375 candidates for new, forced to separate from the Service. worldwide to protect and serve America’s entry-level officer positions). As a way to remind members of our people, interests and values. Like most In the Foreign Service, you will have duty to call it like we see it, AFSA gives of my Foreign Service colleagues, I have a corps of career professionals who are annual awards for dissent. In fact, we spent about two-thirds of my career posted second to none in their grasp of how to are calling for award nominations now. to American embassies and consulates get things done in the near- and far-flung (For more on dissent and information on overseas. places where we are deployed. And you how to nominate a colleague for an AFSA Like nine in 10 Americans, I support can count on us to call it like we see it, to award, please go to www.afsa.org/dissent.) strong American give you our best advice. Again, congratulations on your global leader- Sometimes you will love our reports appointment! I hope you will be proud ship. In fact, I am and our advice, as we chart the course for of the extraordinary career professionals passionate about achieving an American goal that you might in the Foreign Service who stand ready to it, absolutely not have thought possible, might not have serve on your team. Count on us and use convinced that the seen if you didn’t have members of the us fully as we support you in delivering the work we do is a Foreign Service on the ground, working global leadership Americans want and the huge benefit to U.S. in the local language, searching out these world needs. n

Ambassador Barbara Stephenson is the president of the American Foreign Service Association.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 7 FOREIGN SERVICE Editor in Chief, Director of Publications Shawn Dorman: [email protected] Managing Editor www.afsa.org Susan Brady Maitra: [email protected] Associate Editor

Gemma Dvorak: [email protected] CONTACTS Publications Coordinator AFSA Headquarters: BUSINESS DEPARTMENT Dmitry Filipoff: [email protected] (202) 338-4045; Fax (202) 338-6820 Director of Finance State Department AFSA Office: Femi Oshobukola: [email protected] Ad & Circulation Manager (202) 647-8160; Fax (202) 647-0265 Controller Ed Miltenberger: [email protected] USAID AFSA Office: Kalpna Srimal: [email protected] Art Director (202) 712-1941; Fax (202) 216-3710 Assistant Controller Caryn Suko Smith FCS AFSA Office: Cory Nishi: [email protected] (202) 482-9088; Fax (202) 482-9087 Editorial Intern LABOR MANAGEMENT Katherine Perroots: [email protected] GOVERNING BOARD General Counsel Advertising Intern President Sharon Papp: [email protected] Eka Cipta Putera Chandra: [email protected] Hon. Barbara Stephenson: Deputy General Counsel [email protected] Contributing Editor Raeka Safai: [email protected] Secretary Steven Alan Honley Labor Management Specialist William Haugh: [email protected] James Yorke: [email protected] Editorial Board Treasurer Hon. Charles A. Ford: [email protected] Senior Staff Attorney Beth Payne, Chair State Vice President Neera Parikh: [email protected] Randy Berry Angie Bryan: [email protected] Senior Staff Attorney James Bever USAID Vice President Zlatana Badrich: [email protected] Angela Bond Sharon Wayne: [email protected] Hon. Gordon S. Brown Labor Management Counselor FCS Vice President Stephen W. Buck Colleen Fallon-Lenaghan: Steve Morrison: [email protected] Lawrence Casselle (Governing Board Liaison) [email protected] Eric Green FAS Vice President Grievance Counselor Kara McDonald Mark Petry: [email protected] Jason Snyder: [email protected] John G. Rendeiro Jr. Retiree Vice President Executive Assistant Hon. Tom Boyatt: [email protected] Vacant THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS State Representatives USAID Staff Assistant PROFESSIONALS Lawrence Casselle Erika Bethmann: [email protected] The Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0146-3543), Susan Danewitz 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is Jason Donovan published monthly, with combined January-February MEMBER SERVICES and July-August issues, by the American Foreign Service Ramón Escobar Member Services Director Association (AFSA), a private, nonprofit organization. Josh Glazeroff Janet Hedrick: [email protected] Material appearing herein represents the opinions of the Keith Hanigan Membership Representative writers and does not necessarily represent the views of Donald Jacobson the Journal, the Editorial Board or AFSA. Writer queries Natalie Cheung: [email protected] and submissions are invited, preferably by email. The Kara McDonald Retiree Counselor Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, Erin O’Connor Todd Thurwachter: [email protected] photos or illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. Alison Storsve All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. Administrative Assistant and Office Manager AFSA reserves the right to reject advertising that is not Tricia Wingerter Ana Lopez: [email protected] in keeping with its standards and objectives. The appear- USAID Representatives ance of advertisements herein does not imply endorse- Ann Posner COMMUNICATIONS ment of goods or services offered. Opinions expressed in Lorraine Sherman advertisements are the views of the advertisers and do Director of Communications not necessarily represent AFSA views or policy. Journal FCS Representative Ásgeir Sigfússon: [email protected] subscription: AFSA member–$20, included in annual Suzanne Platt Online Communications Manager dues; student–$30; institution–$40; others–$50; Single FAS Representative Vacant issue–$4.50. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; Jeff Lau: [email protected] foreign airmail, $36 per year. Periodical postage paid BBG Representative Steve Herman Outreach and Communications Specialist at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices. APHIS Representative Mark C. Prescott Allan Saunders: [email protected] Indexed by the Public Affairs Information Services (PAIS). Retiree Representatives Awards Coordinator Hon. Patricia Butenis Email: [email protected] Perri Green: [email protected] Dean J. Haas Phone: (202) 338-4045 Outreach Coordinator Fax: (202) 338-8244 Hon. Al La Porta Catherine Kannenberg: [email protected] Web: www.afsa.org/fsj Hon. John Limbert PROFESSIONAL POLICY ISSUES © American Foreign Service Association, 2017 STAFF Director of Professional Policy Issues PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. Executive Director Maria Livingston: [email protected] Ian Houston: [email protected] Postmaster: Send address changes to Policy Analyst Special Assistant to the President AFSA, Attn: Address Change Geneve Mantri: [email protected] 2101 E Street NW Jennie Orloff: [email protected] Washington DC 20037-2990 Governance Specialist SCHOLARSHIPS Patrick Bradley: [email protected] Scholarship Director Lori Dec: [email protected]

8 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The Diplomacy Brief

BY SHAWN DORMAN

y all indications, many in the Will the Trump team realize that diplomacy is incoming administration will be new to public service. Will managed and foreign policy implemented by Bthey realize that diplomacy professional public servants? is managed and foreign policy imple- mented by professional public servants, ership lessons learned through handling unique to the United States, of reward- members of the Foreign Service who tragic crises overseas. She advises that ing campaign donors and bundlers with have sworn an oath to the U.S. Consti- leadership is “not about you”; that the ambassadorships, and turn to the career tution? best strategies result from asking the best Foreign Service for the expertise needed Hopefully, yes. And, hopefully, they questions; and that you must take care of for these positions. will turn to the professionals staffing the your people and yourself, and persevere. In this month’s Speaking Out, Ambas- foreign affairs agencies and U.S. embas- In “Time to Sharpen a Vital Diplo- sador Edward Peck expands on that sies and consulates around the world and matic Tool,” development expert Thomas particular message, laying out the case welcome their input, value their experi- Adams takes a serious look at how to against “pay to play” ambassadors and in ence, and utilize their deep knowledge improve the effectiveness of U.S. foreign favor of career diplomats for those critical and understanding. assistance. He argues for rebuilding posts. To help orient the newcomers, we USAID’s capacity and consolidating This issue also features the dry but have reached out to the Foreign Service development functions there, while more essential annual AFSA Tax Guide, spell- community for this month’s special focus closely integrating foreign assistance and ing out what you need to know as a tax- on “Notes to the New Administration.” foreign policy. payer in the Foreign Service. In addition, AFSA President Ambassador Barbara We went out to the members of the you’ll find an engaging pitch for devel- Stephenson opens by introducing herself, Foreign Service to ask for brief notes oping better “followership” at USAID the association and the Foreign Service on what they want the Trump admin- from retired FSO José Garzón; and, in a to the new Secretary of State, in “Dear S: istration to know about the role of the Reflections piece that will surely resonate You Can Count on Us.” Foreign Service. We received 38 thought- with many, writer and FS spouse Donna In “Mr. President, You Have Partners ful responses and share them all in this Gorman offers a glimpse of the chal- at State to Help Navigate the World’s issue. lenges of coming “home.” Shoals,” Foreign Service Officer Keith Several themes come through loud This double issue will be followed Mines calls on the new president to have and clear: Know that we are the profes- in March with a look at “Diplomatic a conversation with the American people sional Foreign Service, your Foreign Ser- Security at 100,” and in April we ponder about America’s place in the world, reaf- vice, serving the United States all over the the future of Europe and the transatlantic firm the leadership role that the United world. We are the face of America abroad, alliance. States plays globally a bridge to the world. We understand Please keep writing for the Journal and reassure allies of the local situations at our posts and offer in mind. Share your reactions to articles that commitment. honest reporting that you need in order in Letters, ideas for how things could Ambassador (ret.) to formulate policy. be done better in Speaking Out, stories Prudence Bushnell Last, but not least, you have an oppor- in Reflections, as well as feature articles shares valuable lead- tunity to turn away from the practice, on the policy and practice of diplomacy based on research or your experience. Shawn Dorman is the editor of The Foreign Service Journal. This is your magazine. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 9 LETTERS

Patience First sions of true love? After all, the office of tasteful. Then, we confront the dilemma: For the first time since retiring I’m the president does have a tendency to Do I resign, forsaking a career I cherish? glad I’m retired. The reason is Donald sober a man. It makes him realize that Or do I continue to serve? If the latter, Trump. his decisions will have consequences, then we, as professional diplomats, owe If the president-elect acts on his and that history will sit in judgment of the full measure of our energy and intel- campaign rhetoric and scuttles trade his actions. lect to the enterprise. deals, ignores Article 5 of the NATO It does appear, at least on a few issues, Perhaps it will never get to that point. charter, begins deporting Hispanics by that the president-elect has reconsidered But if it does, I’m glad I’m retired. the millions, encourages countries to some of his stated positions and hedged Robert Callahan acquire nuclear weapons and condones a bit on his more provocative promises. Ambassador, retired territorial aggressions, then I’m happy to Is this cause for hope, or wishful think- Centerville, Massachusetts be here on Cape Cod rather than in one ing? of our embassies or consulates. I imagine that many members of the The State of Writing If implemented, these positions will Foreign Service and their Civil Service I agree with Paul Poletes’ thoughtful have no justification, no defense. They colleagues are nervously asking them- piece on the state of State writing (“Get- are wrong. Since the Truman adminis- selves this very question. We are a pro- ting Beyond Bureaucratese—Why Writ- tration, practitioners of American foreign fessional Foreign Service, committed to ing Like Robots Damages U.S. Interests,” policy from both major parties have serving the nation and supporting each Speaking Out, November 2016 FSJ). worked to build a structure of defensive administration’s policies, no matter the As a long- alliances and trade agreements that party in power or our personal prefer- time newspaper ensures our safety and prosperity. ences. Most of us, I would think, have reporter who Although my contemporaries and I— at one time or another advocated for a joined the unlike Dean Acheson—were not present policy we found mistaken, misguided or Foreign Service at its creation, we took seriously the myopic. The State Department could not in 2011, I was legacy of American internationalism, our function otherwise. surprised to security commitments and the promo- For those reasons I think that we owe find State writ- tion of democracy, human rights and the Trump administration sufficient ing so cumber- individual freedoms. We were confident time to develop and deploy their foreign some. During in these policies, proud of the values policies. If we were to act precipitously, my first tour, they expressed and comfortable in advo- if we failed to give the president-elect the while serving as a consular officer, I cating them. same consideration that we have given found my writing skills to be in demand Despite some egregious failures, his predecessors, we would betray our to draft articles and edit colleagues’ EERs which President-Elect Trump has glee- pledge to serve the nation irrespective to make them clearer. fully noted, we have largely succeeded. of partisan politics. We would weaken To use Poletes’ words “wordiness, The United States and the world are bet- America. empty jargon, wishy-washy prose and a ter off as a result of our efforts. But this patience and, if it comes to it, near total lack of human touch” do not I therefore must ask: Does Mr. Trump this willingness to support policies with make us sound smarter. “Bureaucratese” really want to turn seven decades of which we personally disagree must have confuses the reader and leads to ineffec- effective American diplomacy on its its limits. During the conflict in Vietnam, tive communication of policy. head? If so, he will undermine our safety I have been told, many officers resigned In writing, less is more. Clear is beau- and prosperity and tarnish the image of in protest. Some resigned during the tiful. We owe simpler, more effective writ- the United States. Balkan crisis of the 1990s and the Second ing to our colleagues and ourselves. n But what if—as is often the case dur- Persian Gulf War. Sarah Talalay ing an electoral campaign—his words There comes a time when conscience FSO were just so much fodder for the voter, and principle, both subjective tests, Arlington, Virginia no more sincere than Don Juan’s profes- make continuing to serve personally dis-

10 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL TALKING POINTS

Obama’s Record on Political Ambassadors t the end of his two terms on Jan. 20, APresident Barack Obama’s record on politically appointed ambassadors is on par with his predecessors. Of his ambas- sadorial appointments, 70 percent were members of the career Foreign Service, while 30 percent were political appointees. Over the course of his two terms, President George W. Bush named career FSOs to 68 percent of the ambassadorships he filled during his eight-year term, and President Bill Clinton appointed career U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF DEPARTMENT U.S. officers to 72 percent of the ambassadorial The exterior of the fake U.S. embassy in Accra, Ghana. slots he filled. Obama’s record is also similar to his The Sincerest Form and the “consular officers” were Turkish recent predecessors in terms of total num- of Flattery? citizens who spoke English and Dutch. ber of ambassadorial appointments: He n Dec. 2, Al-Jazeera reported that (The ringleaders also ran a fake Dutch made a total of 419 appointments. By com- Owith the help of U.S. officials, embassy.) parison, Bill Clinton appointed 417 ambas- authorities in Ghana busted a fake U.S. Confirming news reports, State’s Dip- sadors, George H.W. Bush appointed 428 embassy that for a decade issued ille- lomatic Security Bureau noted that the and Ronald Reagan appointed 420. gally obtained authentic visas. takedown was part of a broader “Opera- Obama appointed more political No one is known to have entered tion Spartan Vanguard” initiative, which appointees than any Democratic president the United States on visas from the fake DS special agents in Embassy Ghana’s since 1974, when AFSA began recording embassy, the State Department has said. Regional Security Office launched to these statistics. The Obama adminis- The real U.S. embassy in Accra is a address trafficking and fraud concerns tration’s record represents a 2-percent prominent, heavily fortified complex in the region. increase over Clinton and a 4-percent in Cantonments, one of the capital’s The sham embassy advertised its increase over Jimmy Carter. most expensive neighborhoods. Lines services through flyers and billboards Notably, however, Obama appointed of people queue outside each day for in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo. Some the highest number of female ambassadors visa appointments and other consular of the services it offered its custom- of any previous president—134. Thirty-two business. ers, whom it shuttled to and from the percent of his appointments were female. Until a few months ago, however, it site, included issuance of fraudulently President-elect Donald J. Trump’s first had competition from a rundown, two- obtained but legitimate U.S. visas, nominations have already been made, story pink building with a corrugated counterfeit visas and false identification with South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley iron roof. That facility flew a U.S. flag documents, for up to $6,000 each. proposed to be ambassador to the United outside every Monday, Tuesday and According to the Washington Post, Nations and Iowa Governor Terry Brans- Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon, but when the task force raided the place, tad for China. otherwise kept a low profile. It did not they arrested several suspects and col- You can follow President Trump’s take walk-ins. lected evidence that included a laptop ambassadorial appointments on our web- Inside, visitors saw a portrait of computer; smart phones; 150 passports site at www.afsa.org/ambassadorlist. President Barack Obama, along with from 10 countries; counterfeit identity —Kellen Johansen, signs assuring them they were in the documents and legitimate and coun- Communications Intern right place. But Ghanaian and Turkish terfeit visas from the United States, the crime rings actually ran the operation, Schengen zone, India and South Africa.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 11 A suicide car bomb attack in Bishkek Contemporary Quote just days before the opening ceremony made the security situation more com- plex, but the good relationships that RSO I am still here. I am real. I am still fighting for my children’s life. Bishkek had built with local law enforce- We are not propaganda. We are real people. We are — we are ment officials enabled all parties to work Aleppo’s people. together to keep the games on track. —Fatemah Alabed, mother of Bana, the 7-year-old tweeting from Aleppo, —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor speaking via skype to CNN on Dec. 11. Native Americans in the Foreign Service Though most of the ringleaders fled U.S. wrestlers and the first-ever U.S. kok- n recognition of Native American the country, the RSO in Ghana reports boru team. The United States team ended IHeritage Month, the Native American that as a result of this and other raids, the games with four medals—two silver Foreign Affairs Council held an event on the export of fraudulent documents has and two bronze, according to the official Nov. 14 at the State Department to bring decreased by 70 percent in West Africa. World Nomad Games website. awareness to challenges Native Ameri- —Steven Alan Honley, U.S Embassy Bishkek supported the cans face in fostering inclusion. Contributing Editor games with an American Corner show- Featured speaker Jody Tallbear casing U.S. talent and providing informa- addressed the topic of misrepresenta- State Department tion about USAID programs in the Kyrgyz tion of Native American culture in mass Facilitates World Republic. media. There are 562 federally recognized Nomad Games The Regional Security Office at Native American tribes in the United n September 2016, the World Nomad Embassy Bishkek was also instrumental States, with a population of 4.5 million IGames were held in the Kyrgyz Repub- in the success of the games, travelling (1.5 percent of the total U.S. population). lic. More than 62 countries competed in frequently to the event sites in the Issyk- A lively question and answer session unique events, including horse riding, Kul Lake region of the Kyrgyz Republic allowed Ms. Tallbear to elaborate on the falconry and kok-boru—a game played on to check route safety and hotel security, involvement of American Indians and horseback with a goat’s carcass. liaise with host nation police and govern- Native Alaskans in the Foreign Service. The State Department sponsored ment officials and plan security for VIP Members of NAFAC report that the num- several cultural ambassadors, including visitors from the United States. ber of self-identified Native Americans/ Alaskans falls below 1 percent of the State Department’s workforce. Because the majority of issues faced by Native Americans and Alaskans are domestic, those who choose to apply for federal jobs generally select positions in the Tribal Offices, where they can best help their communities. Ms. Tallbear suggested that a lack of self-reporting, as well as difficulty in recruiting in Native Indian/Native Alaskan communities is also to blame for their low representation at the State Department. NAFAC members discussed pos- U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Falconers compete with golden eagles in the hunting portion of the World Nomad Games. sible solutions to these issues, including

12 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL SITE OF THE MONTH: ourworldindata.org

ur World in Data Ois an online publi- cation that shows how living conditions are changing worldwide. The aim of the cre- ators is to give a global overview of how the world is changing over the long term, showing where changes are of human civilization in one place coming from, the current status and underlines the interlinkages among trends looking ahead. the long-term trends that are OWID provides the data they observed. gather in two forms—charts and The data used on OWID comes maps, and academic research on from three sources—specialized global development. The publica- institutes, published research articles tion is produced by the University and international institutions or of Oxford and covers many topics agencies, such as the World Bank and across a broad range of disciplines the United Nations. including trends in health, violence, The entire publication is avail- culture, education and climate able for free and all data published change, to name a few. on the website is available for Covering all of these aspects download and use.

increased advertising in veteran circles of diplomacy and the Foreign Service. and Native American/Native Alaskan com- But there is a wealth of foreign policy munities, as well as better understanding advice being offered by think tanks and of what constitutes a true Native Indian. other organizations during this transi- Despite historically low numbers, tion season. Here is a selection of such there are Native Americans and Native recommendations to the new president Alaskans currently serving and those who and his staff. have served in the past. AFSA wishes to TheCenter for Strategic and Interna- honor their legacy and commitment to tional Studies published a commentary the Foreign Service. on President-elect Trump’s security policy —Rebecca Yim, Executive Intern needs and recommendations for building his administration. CSIS sees the national Think-Tank Thoughts for security portion of the FY2018 budget, the New Administration problems in the Afghan war, key decisions or this issue of the Journal, we invited on U.S. involvement in Syria and Iraq, and Fmembers of the Foreign Service a commitment to dealing with the Iranian (active-duty and retired) to offer advice threat as the top priorities. to the new administration on the role TheAtlantic Council created a NATO

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 13 agenda for President-elect Trump, which 50 Years Ago lists priorities for policy on the alliance. The AC reminds the president that, in his Toward A Stronger first national security speech as the Repub- Association in their profes- lican nominee, he pledged to convene a sion do not vote NATO summit. The council recommends t is fitting to open the New Year in the elec- that he use that summit to reaffirm the U.S. Iwith a reference to our member- tions of their commitment to defend Europe. ship. As a general musters his force professional Earlier, the Council released a “foun- before he contemplates an action, so Association and dational” proposal to reform the National the Foreign Service Association must do not partici- Security Council. The seven-point proposal know its strength if it is to be active pate in efforts is based on extensive analysis and inter- and productive. to strengthen views with more than 60 senior foreign The Association cannot progress if professional skills, improve work- policy, defense and intelligence leaders large numbers of potential members ing conditions, assist our children who share a bipartisan concern that struc- stand aside. Every added member and protect our widows and retired tural and personnel failures in the critical means added strength—financially, personnel. National Security Council system are an of course—but most importantly in —Excerpted from the Editorial, important factor in the strategic confusion terms of brains and energy. It is a Foreign Service Journal, and poor execution that have led to serious sad fact that many who take pride January 1967. mistakes in foreign and defense policy during the past two decades. The Carnegie Corporation and The tions with China as an economic partner presence in the Asia Pacific, rethinking National Interest commissioned a multi- and recommends that the United States strategy on Korea and ratifying TPP. part symposium to attempt to answer start by reforming its domestic economic On its “Transition 2016” page, the questions regarding the future of U.S.-Rus- policy for a stronger long-term relation- Council on Foreign Relations presents sia relations under the new administration. ship with China. 11 major foreign policy issues, from This series of essays from policymakers, TheHeritage Foundation has pub- China and Cuba to the Islamic State and think tanks and academics offers analysis lished the Mandate for Leadership series, trade, bringing together Donald Trump’s and possible steps the new administration offering conservative policy recom- stated views and CFR backgrounders on can take to achieve détente. mendations to the new administration. each issue. TheStimson Center has compiled the Part 1 addresses the 2017 Congressional Also available are podcasts called 2017 Presidential Inbox series, featuring Budget. Part 2 offers a policy agenda to “The President’s Inbox” on defense and contributions from experts analyzing the achieve long-term goals, such as balanc- building an administration, videos on major challenges Pres. Trump will face in ing the budget and welfare reform, and climate change and how to stop the his first 100 days in office. Among the top Part 3 details priorities for the incoming Islamic State, and the latest CFR analysis challenges are improving the U.S.-China president and steps to achieve them. on various topics. relationship, combatting returning for- The German Marshall Fund collected TheForeign Policy Research Insti- eign terrorists and a strategy for transat- recommendations for the new adminis- tute released “8 Foreign Policy Questions lantic trade. The nonpartisan series aims tration from its policy experts in various Trump Needs to Ask” to formulate his to “break the artificial boundaries that European countries. policy and shape conversations with inhibit smart policymaking and promote TheAsia Foundation released a foreign leaders. The questions lead with: division,” such as the divide between report, “Asian Views on America’s Role in “Why has the best-funded and most Republicans and Democrats. Asia: The Future of the Rebalance,” out- professional military in U.S. history been TheAmerican Enterprise Institute’s lining 10 top foreign policy recommenda- unable to translate tactical victories into Derek Scissors hopes that Pres. Trump tions in Asia for the Trump administra- strategic success in Afghanistan?” n will usher in a new era of bilateral rela- tion. These include maintaining a strong —Katherine Perroots, Editorial Intern

14 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL SPEAKING OUT

Why U.S. Ambassadors Should Be Career Professionals

BY EDWARD L. PECK

he United States is unique on the receiving end of such appoint- ties and operations of the government among developed nations ments. within that country, and shall insure in that nearly a third of U.S. I do not mean in any way to cast that all government executive branch Tembassies—and more than 60 aspersions on the abilities, character, employees in that country (except for percent of those located in major devel- successes, skills, patriotism or other employees under the command of a oped countries—are headed by politi- commendable attributes of the nomi- United States area military commander) cal appointees without experience in nees. But as a new administration takes comply fully with all applicable direc- diplomacy. Though some governments office, I submit that it is high time to tives of the chief of mission.” do send political appointees to represent abolish the spoils system once and for These explicit and extensive respon- them in Washington and other key capi- all, for U.S. diplomacy. America does not sibilties also appear in the letter of tals, the vast majority of their missions benefit from this practice. instruction each COM receives from the are headed by trained career diplomats. U.S. president on appointment: “As chief Without a doubt, the ability to raise The Chief of Mission of mission, you have full responsibil- millions of dollars for a presidential Mandate ity for the direction, coordination and campaign is a valuable skill. But reward- In the Foreign Service Act of 1980 supervision of all United States gov- ing a fundraiser or “bundler” with the (Public Law 96-465), Congress spelled ernment executive branch employees job of heading a U.S. embassy reveals out what chiefs of mission are expected (except for employees under the com- total ignorance of what the job entails. to do, as well as the qualifications mand of a United States area military Almost unknown outside diplomatic required. Section 207, Responsibilities commander).” The letter ends with, “As circles, an ambassador’s responsibilities of the Chief of Mission, merits a close chief of mission, you are not only my are numerous, complex and impor- reading: personal representative, but that of our tant—sometimes critical. And, as with “Under the direction of the president, country.” any and all top management positions, the chief of mission to a foreign country: The COM’s mandate encompasses they cannot be effectively carried out by (1) shall have full responsibility for the a massive list of activities to direct, beginners. direction, coordination and supervi- coordinate and supervise. More than Moreover, selling an important sion of all government executive branch two dozen agencies with active roles in federal position in this manner impedes employees in that country (except for foreign policy formulation have person- attainment of our international objec- employees under the command of a nel operating programs abroad; predict- tives, violates the basic principles of good United States area military commander); ably, these are most numerous in the governance, ignores existing law and is and (2) shall keep fully and currently more important (read pleasant) coun- understandably resented by the nations informed with respect to all activi- tries sought by most political appointees. Since agencies cannot instruct each Edward L. Peck, a Foreign Service officer from 1956 to 1989, served as chief of mission other, effective management of manifold in Mauritania and Iraq, among many other assignments including postings to Swe- overseas activities is often difficult from den, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt. Ambassador Peck later served as execu- Washington, requiring careful coordina- tive secretary of the American Academy of Diplomacy. In that capacity he prepared tion. evaluations on the qualifications of more than 150 political and career nominees for the Senate But foreign policy is only an expres- Foreign Relations Committee, using the same materials those nominees had submitted to the sion of intentions until it is implemented, committee. and that is an effort that takes place over-

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 15 seas. The COM needs to be able to inject governments informed about Ameri- part of the population, but host govern- a critical level of control and coordina- can opinions, interests and objectives. ments do not want to discuss compli- tion into the implementation stage of for- Second—equally important, but some- cated, important issues with a neophyte, eign policy on the ground. This requires a times more difficult—they are to report especially one representing a super- firm grounding in the byzantine work- local reactions to U.S. initiatives back to power. Consider: Anyone with a health ings of the domestic interagency arena. Washington and analyze them. issue would prefer to consult a medical Applying the level of control expected The recipients of such reporting at school graduate who earned an M.D., by Congress and the president also the White House/National Security rather than someone handed the degree demands knowledge of agency mandates Council, the State Department and other in return for a large donation. and what they are actually doing. agencies should be able to rely on the It is true that few governments Expecting a novice ambassador to COM’s previous diplomatic experience publicly complain about such appoin- perform these tasks effectively ignores and knowledge, as stipulated in the law, tees, but editorials in local media make the universal requirement of experience and thus his or her ability to present a their true feelings about unqualified for the senior position in any operational complete and rational picture. In that U.S. ambassadors quite clear. To put entity engaged not in establishing strategic regard, it is useful to bear in mind that it bluntly, sending a beginner with no objectives but in producing the desired career diplomats work seamlessly for connection to the host country instead results. Our embassies are the diplomatic administrations of either political party, of a trained diplomatic professional is equivalent of “boots on the ground,” while political appointees are closely tied correctly seen as demeaning. endeavoring to implement Washington’s to the party in power, a bond that can Businesses do the same. Wrong. No decisions. There is no time for on-the- influence their reporting. company puts a manufacturing facil- job-training program for the boss of such ity—the operational equivalent of an missions, who must thoroughly know the Why “Pay to Play” embassy—under a neophyte. Embas- business in order to direct it. Does Not Hold Up sies are engaged in the hands-on tactics Despite the irrefutable logic concern- of implementation, not headquarters’ The Job Outside ing the advantages of relying on experi- formulation of strategy. the Embassy enced professionals for top jobs in every The political appointee can raise Section 304 (a) (2) of the Foreign line of endeavor, advocates of political issues directly with the president. Service Act specifies that “positions appointees for top diplomatic positions Conceivable, but highly doubtful. Even as chief of mission should normally put forward the following arguments in if a chief of mission is a friend of the be accorded to career members of the support of novice U.S. ambassadors. president they might not get through [Foreign] Service, though circumstances Presidents can choose anyone they the White House switchboard, let alone will warrant appointments from time to want. Wrong. They can nominate whom- broach an arcane subject. And even if time of qualified individuals who are not ever they want, but the Senate has a con- they did, an end-run around established career members of the Service” (empha- stitutional “advise and consent” role. The communication channels would be more sis added). Further, nominees “should only criterion for confirmation should be likely to backfire than succeed. possess clearly demonstrated compe- the expectation of high-level performance. Political appointees can bring fresh tence to perform the duties of a chief of Yet with rare exceptions even the egre- perspectives. Inexperience is not a mission, including … useful knowledge giously unqualified are confirmed, since qualification. Dealing with the interests of the language … and understanding of both parties relish their turn to reward of other nations, often involving conten- the history, the culture, the economic bagmen or bagwomen (aka “bundlers”). tious, convoluted, long-standing issues, and political institutions, and the inter- (It is worth noting that political nominees can make new approaches irrelevant or ests of that country.” The law also states: seldom purchase an embassy with only worse. Fresh ideas, if needed, can come “… contributions to political campaigns their own money. Much of what they from Washington. should not be a factor.” donate is collected from others.) The same approach is employed in COMs have two basic external Other nations welcome political the Defense Department. Wrong. The functions. First, they must keep host appointees. Nope. Celebrities may thrill COM is equivalent to a field commander.

16 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL No civilian commands troops, planes or political ambassadors. True, but this career ambassadors more capable than ships. The U.S. military used to sell com- underlines the fundamental problem: novices, but they know the business, missions, until familiarity with warfare nominees are not chosen on the basis have been tested and proven deserving was recognized as a better qualification of qualifications or anticipated perfor- of increased responsibility. A politi- than money. Generals do not command mance. And even if they occasionally cal appointee may possess numerous aircraft carriers; admirals never lead perform well, the accolades should go commendable and meaningful skills, infantry divisions. to their deputy chief of mission and but those often have little to do with the COMs only need a good deputy chief staff. The usual result is the installation specialized work of an ambassador, both of mission and staff to do an effective of non-performers, at best, and genuine in terms of managing the embassy or job. Blatant sophistry. If anything, this embarrassments at worst. conducting outreach in the host country. argument describes a figurehead ambas- The smart bet would be to stop plac- sador, whose most meaningful contribu- The Smart Money Is on ing responsibility for managing our day- tion would be to do as instructed and Career Professionals to-day bilateral relations in the hands of stay out of the way. If it were true, any- America has at least some interests in neophytes. Instead, presidents should one could be given a title like “Performer every country in the world. Maintenance turn to the men and women of the of Open Heart Surgery.” Good deputy: and advancement of those interests Foreign Service, who are ready, willing “OK, now you can snip off the little ... No! requires the presence of diplomatic and able to represent America across the Not that!” professionals. globe, to carry out that function. n There have been some excellent No law of nature automatically makes

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 17 FOCUS NOTES TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION MR. PRESIDENT,

You Have Partners at State to

Help Navigate the World’s Shoals

The new administration’s challenge is to sustain U.S. leadership in an increasingly unhinged world.

BY KEITH W. MINES

or the past two years, we have engaged in a Shoring Up the Home Front raucous national debate on the state of the Before getting too far along, you will need to have a conversa- world and America’s place in it, all against tion with the American people about our place in the world. The a dramatic backdrop that includes the rise election showed that Americans are skeptical of our engagement of radical Islamism, the collapse of nations, abroad and unclear about our interests. As Robert Kagan recently a resurgent Russia, unprecedented refugee put it, “They favor the liberal order in so far as they can see how it flows and a more assertive China. History, it touches them. But they are no longer prepared to sacrifice much would seem, has returned with a vengeance. to uphold it.” Your challenge boils down to engaging an This shows up most clearly in the debate over globalization, ambivalent U.S. public to take on the task of sustaining American of which The Economist has written: “There is a widespread sense Fleadership in an increasingly unhinged world. I offer the follow- that an open economy is good for a small elite but does nothing ing assessment of that challenge, and some thoughts on how your for the broad mass of people. ... The storms inflicted by a more partners at the State Department can help. integrated economy were underestimated, and too little effort went into helping those who lost out.” The editors also remind Keith W. Mines is a Senior Foreign Service officer us, however, that “half of America’s exports go to countries with currently serving as an Interagency Professional in which it has a free-trade deal, even though these countries Residence at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Prior to joining account for less than a tenth of global Gross Domestic Product.” the Foreign Service, he was a U.S. Army Special Forces You’ll need to implement domestic programs to help globaliza- officer. He has served throughout the Western Hemisphere, as well tion’s losers and enable all Americans to compete more success- as in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Africa and Europe, in diplomat- fully, all the while expanding access to the global markets that ic, United Nations and military assignments. The views expressed will be at the heart of export-led economic growth. here are the author’s alone and not necessarily those of the U.S. In the security arena, the American people feel similarly government. betrayed, primarily by the uneven progress in Iraq and Afghani-

18 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL stan where we have invested so heavily. You will need to earn African Republic and a dozen other states joined the club to vary- back their trust, again with some early wins, a lot of open and ing degrees and in differing conditions. Iraq, Libya, Yemen and frank discussion, and the development of a strategy and frame- Syria are the most recent additions. work that is comprehensible to the average citizen. It will be more But the post-Westphalian world is more than just the collapse FDR in 1939, cajoling a reluctant America, than Bush in 2002, or weakening of states. Adding fuel to the fire are the forces of channeling the unbounded energy of an America seized with a modern technology, globalization and religiosity. Today criminal global mission. groups can amass capital on Seized or not, that global par with Fortune 500 com- mission remains. There is There is simply no one else panies, who themselves are simply no one else positioned, as wealthy as some nations; resourced and able to lead positioned, resourced and able insurgents and drug traffickers the free world. As Australian can outfight their state counter- Prime Minister John Howard to lead the free world. parts; and religious fanaticism told the Canadian Parliament can electronically jump borders in 2006, at a time when many to inspire violence with an were tempted to seek a world without American leadership: “Be image or an appeal. careful in what you wish for, because a retreating America will Larger threats loom, too: cross-border pandemics that can kill leave a more vulnerable world. It will leave a world more exposed thousands, terrorists with advanced weaponry. Managing the to terrorism and it will leave a more fragile and, indeed, danger- challenges within the nation-state system while working to return ous world.” The American people must be convinced that a world failed and fragile states to that system is an operating concept without America will not just be poorer and more conflicted for around which a robust new strategy could be built. others, but for them. Managing the Westphalian World Toward a Post-Cold War Doctrine The orderly part of the world will require undistracted focus, One thing that would help is a strategic framework for dealing new resources, a shared vision and assertive U.S. leadership to with the world, something we have not had since the end of the maintain course. Here are some things to consider as you look at Cold War. Your last three predecessors had an aversion to post– the globe: Cold War doctrine, fearful it would miss something in an increas- Europe remains the primary champion of international order ingly complex world, while limiting their operating space. This and the postwar liberal order, and our most stalwart ally on most aversion has probably run its course. issues. But it has rising demons and fundamental challenges. The One such framework would divide the world into Westphalian Balkans will deserve special attention, as will the steady flow of and post-Westphalian spheres. The Westphalian world, enshrined forced migration, which is testing European solidarity as the conti- in 1648 to end the horrific violence of a Europe that had com- nent faces its worst migration crisis since the Second World War. pletely unraveled, is one in which the state has a monopoly on Europeans need to know we are in this together. the use of force within its borders, and each state’s sovereignty is Brexit will continue to reverberate—the European Union was respected by other states. This now defines most of the world, and the mechanism by which the continent ended its long civil war the global systems for trade, travel, diplomacy, conflict resolution and became a major force for good in the world. It is in our inter- and deterrence are all dependent on the core ability of states to est to keep the project of European integration alive and healthy. function effectively. Fear of Russia continues to be a big part of Europe’s equation, With the collapse of the USSR and the end of the Cold War, U.S. and the Atlantic Alliance has never been more important in the and world attention focused increasingly on the many countries post–Cold War era. Containing and reversing Russia’s expan- and regions that had entered a kind of post-Westphalian exis- sion and unhelpful meddling, while keeping the door open to tence in which governance broke down, or was so weak as to be collective work with Moscow on shared interests, will be key to irrelevant. Somalia collapsed into a non-state haze of anarchy in regional stability. We need to constantly update and expand 1991. It was for a time the anomaly, but then Haiti, the Democratic NATO’s capacity, and take seriously our longstanding issue of Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Afghanistan, Sudan, the Central burden-sharing, while recognizing the burden NATO members

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 19 have continued to shoulder alongside us in Afghanistan, Iraq and cially for commerce, and there are 50 states in the African Union throughout the Sahel. whose collective diplomatic clout is not insignificant. But many The Asia-Pacific region contains a challenging mix of threats parts of the continent suffer from terrorism and violent extrem- and opportunities. A more domestically palatable Trans-Pacific ism, as well as civil wars and ethnic conflicts that cry out for the Partnership with a safety net for its losers would help maintain stronger institutions that America has become better at nurturing. momentum in a region with tremendous potential for American Finally, the Middle East is either in collapse or skittish, and exporters. China’s increasingly assertive presence in the region badly in need of attention and reassurance. Whether fair or not, will grow our list of potential partners, and North Korea will old allies feel abandoned, and the region believes our attention require special attention. As with Russian President Vladimir has gone elsewhere (the danger with pivoting somewhere is that it Putin, it is likely that Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Presi- implies pivoting away from somewhere else). This is not the time dent Kim Jong-un will test you early; the best way to avoid getting for a major push on the Middle East peace process, but it is a time to the worst-case scenario is being visibly prepared for it. Asia also for putting American influence behind measures to ensure the has tremendous potential for the emergence of a moderate ver- two-state option remains viable. sion of Islam that we should continue to engage. With Iran, we have a good-enough agreement in the Iran In this hemisphere, you nuclear deal (the Joint Compre- will have some digging out to hensive Plan of Action), but it do after some toxic campaign Americans have developed requires assertive management comments. After shoring up our of Tehran’s regional meddling. popular image and reassuring a love-hate relationship with The biggest challenge in the trading partners, there will be a nation-building, with the result Middle East, however, is getting temptation to leave the region states to an orderly place indi- on autopilot as you turn your that we have never developed vidually, and building a stable attention to the more dramatic the tools to address the regional order among those parts of the planet. This would states. Syria, Yemen, Libya and be a mistake, however, given “fragile state” phenomenon Iraq are the tests of our ability the tremendous untapped to successfully shepherd failed economic potential so close to adequately. states to stability; the key in home—starting with a reform- each of them is reaching an minded Mexico and a Canada agreement on an inclusive with whom we already have the largest trading relationship of any national political system, however imperfect and compromised—a two nations in the world. A rational immigration policy also starts daunting task we have avoided fully getting behind. with good relations with the rest of the hemisphere. To manage all of this, we will need to strengthen relationships South Asia remains one of the few parts of the world where broadly, moving away from the transactional arrangements we a nuclear conflagration could ignite, and is also one of the most have fallen into since 9/11 and back to the more fundamental alli- likely regions to spread nuclear technology and know-how. But ances and regional arrangements of a previous era. We also need India, in particular, has immense trading potential. Indeed, as to do more to develop with other global leaders a clear vision and foreign policy commentators Kim R. Holmes of the Heritage action agenda for global order, because—as former U.S. ambas- Foundation and Will Inboden of the University of Texas, Austin, sador and strategic thinker Carlos Pascual puts it—“This is simply put it: “Our burgeoning strategic partnership with India has the too big for one country.” potential to fundamentally transform the international order of You should consider ways to formalize all this in a new global the Indo-Pacific region.” architecture, such as the “Group of 16” idea the Brookings Institu- Africa meanwhile has come alive, and we deserve some small tion has proposed. With the United Nations’ architecture impos- credit for its “renaissance” (if not too premature a label), given sible to quickly enhance, the G-8 out of date and the G-20 never our partnerships with its many struggling states. But progress is really taking off, a G-8 plus Brazil, China, India, South Africa, Mex- fragile and incomplete and, like Latin America, it is an easy place ico, Indonesia, Turkey and Nigeria might be the way to broaden to neglect. There are more opportunities than risks in Africa, espe- participation and commitment on a full range of global issues.

20 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL The Larger Challenges in the Post-Westphalian World Getting the Westphalian part of the globe back on track is a tall order. But the work will only be complete if you are able to restore some order to the failed and fragile states that make up the post- Westphalian world. We need a return address for threats, and we need partners. Americans have developed a love-hate relationship with nation-building, with the result that we have never developed the tools to address the “fragile state” phenomenon adequately. In reality, there have been more successes than most Americans are aware of—some a result of United Nations action (Mozambique, El Salvador, South Africa), some from regional actors (Australia in East Timor), some bilateral (the United States in Colombia or the United Kingdom in Sierra Leone) and some hybrid (the United States, U.N. and E.U. in the Balkans). What they all have in common is a focus on the political structure that makes up a nation and the institution-building that strengthens the supporting state. Both are essential. The U.S. government has little to offer either in terms of developing political structure or building institutions that is not simply an ad hoc application of people and resources pulled from various institutions. You might consider developing the means to more actively influence political transitions and democratic consolidations, and a more systematic means of delivering civilian security assis- tance and institution-building (e.g., police, courts, ministries and anti-corruption measures). Some of this would come from fully implementing and further evolving the recommendations of the 2010 Quadrennial Defense and Development Review (Leading Through Civilian Power), while drawing from the many other ideas out there. You could start with the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Center for a New American Security and the Carnegie Insti- tute’s U.S. Leadership and the Challenge of State Fragility. (The work of Rufus Phillips at the National Strategy Information Cen- ter, Fostering Positive Political Change, is also worth your time.) There may be states that are destined to fail, but there are a host of others that can avoid failure. And there are some failed states that can undoubtedly be brought back to health.

Your Partners at State Through all of this, your Department of State employees will remain on the front lines. Here are some of the places where we can actively support your work on this daunting agenda: • Calling Mr./Ms. X: The originator of the containment doc- trine, Foreign Service Officer George Kennan, had an unusual

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 21 ability to distill his decades of work in Russia into a new doctrine found across the career Foreign Service, and on limited occasions that guided the country through the Cold War. There are similarly outside of the Foreign Service. talented individuals in State today whose deep experience abroad • Getting to Yes: While there is a temptation to bring in the big is matched by analytical capacity and who could be uniquely names for negotiations, don’t forget that Foreign Service officers qualified to help develop your new strategy. have conducted foreign negotiations for their entire careers. It is • Eyes and Ears on the Ground: State Department reporting second nature to them, and they are very good at it. provides the broader context to round out the more targeted • Experts for Niche Issues: Today’s State Department is very reporting you will get from the intelligence community and the different from what it was 30 years ago, with experts on health, military. It is often the most complete and clearest reporting you energy, arms control, oceans, biotech and a host of other issues. It will receive on a situation. This reporting can especially provide can deliver the expertise to manage the increasing complexity of warning signs when things are about to go sideways. The Foreign your global agenda. Service will need top-level cover to take the inherent risks to • Connecting with the Heartland: Your diplomats know their achieve this. overseas beats well, but they also all come from all over the United • Your Personal Representatives: Ambassadors abroad are your States. They can help build grassroots U.S. support for your interna- personal representatives, and their credibility becomes your cred- tional agenda through speaking tours and op-eds in local media. ibility. You can enhance their effectiveness by choosing those with We are here for you, Mr. President, and we are in this together. a clear capacity for complex interagency leadership, appropriate We will often be the first ones to see the opportunities and help language and cross-cultural skills, and the ability to clearly convey you avert the risks as we re-hinge the world, and re-establish our our values and positions to a foreign audience. These traits are nation’s place in it. n

22 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FOCUS NOTES TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION

One Story, Two Events, SEVEN LEADERSHIP LESSONS

Policy crises and human crises in faraway places—the stuff of diplomacy today— offer compelling lessons in leadership.

BY PRUDENCE BUSHNELL

elcome to the new bombing when I served as U.S. ambassador in Nairobi, Kenya. team. Whatever hap- Neither event provoked congressional hearings or interagency pens under your leader- after-action reviews. The political imperative is to move swiftly ship and on your watch, past failure, and the Department of State lacks the tradition of you can count on policy appreciative inquiry. crises and human crises It took the 9/11 attacks to reveal national security and law in faraway places. Dur- enforcement weaknesses that could have been addressed in ing my own career, the 1998. Echoes of the report of the Accountability Review Board’s 1994 Rwanda genocide limited scrutiny of the East Africa bombings can be found in the and the 1998 al-Qaida bombing of our embassies in Kenya and Benghazi Accountability Review Board’s 2013 report, including WTanzania left compelling leadership lessons that may be useful the need for better leadership at several levels. to you. I joined the Foreign Service with a background in manage- I witnessed the genocide from a policy chair as a deputy ment training and left as a leadership practitioner with strong assistant secretary in the Africa Bureau and experienced the field experience. I continue to promote leadership in federal government and refer to Rwanda and Nairobi as events that Prudence Bushnell’s career in the Foreign Service in- shaped me as a leader. Here is what I learned. cluded leadership positions as deputy assistant secretary of State for African affairs (1993-1996), ambassador to • Kenya (1996-1999) and Guatemala (1999-2002), and dean of the Leadership and Management School at the Foreign Leadership is not about you. From a top spot in a hierar- Service Institute (2002-2005). She now promotes the practice of chical organization known for its “kiss-up, kick-down” cul- leadership through talks and workshops among a range of people, 1 ture, it was tempting to think I was practicing leadership including senior executives and college students. In 2012, Ambas- by showing up and issuing brilliant commands. Especially as sador Bushnell founded the Levitt Leadership Institute at Hamilton ambassador, it was easy to make the job all about me. However, College in Clinton, New York. if I wanted an effective team capable of applying individual and

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 23 genocide absent military boots on the ground—if such a thing is possible—we argued. Meanwhile, more than 800,000 children, women and men were massa- cred. When the U.S. did practice lead- ership—the Marshall Plan is a good example—results were transformative. This was not the case in Rwanda, and President Bill Clinton later apologized.

U.S. OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE The best strategies come from A view of the wreckage after the Aug. 7, 1998, terrorist bombing of U.S. Embassy Nairobi that left asking good questions and hundreds dead and wounded. 2 listening, especially to dis- sent. I learned the importance of good agency talents and resources toward shared goals, the focus had questions while doing evacuations and crisis work in the Africa to turn outward. Before the bombing, transforming policy into Bureau. When we were bombed, I had no idea what people results meant disciplined use of people’s professional skills, not needed in order to survive at ground zero. I was in the building their staff assistant abilities. next door and then at our crisis control center. The survivors The bombing showed that our Embassy Nairobi Country who turned themselves into first responders were the ones with Team was in fact a team, not just another name for senior staff. the information. My job was to understand their reality and We suffered a 50-percent casualty rate in the chancery on Aug. represent their needs. That part never stopped over the next 10 7, 1998. Forty-six employees died, among them 12 Americans, months. and literally no one escaped without wounds, many of them Leadership is “the process whereby one individual influ- life-changing. Yet it never occurred to any of us to close down ences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal,” accord- operations. Most American employees decided to remain at ing to Peter Northouse in Leadership: Theory and Practice (Sage, post following the bombing. Kenyans had no choice but to stay. 2013). I saw it practiced at every level; and at mine, I needed The lesson that practicing to get accurate information leadership means getting over and honest feedback. No one yourself to focus on others I could not heal a wounded seemed to have a problem came as a whack upside the with that, and as a result, we head a few weeks after the community, but I could help avoided important mistakes. attack. I was asked to speak at Near the end of my tour an unexpected remembrance create an environment in in Kenya, I had to inform my ceremony for a beloved col- which healing was possible. colleagues that we had lost the league. I was burned out from argument with Washington funerals, memorial services, to create a park on the site of anger and sadness. Physically the bombed embassy. It was and emotionally exhausted, I actually felt a stab of resentment. leased property from the Kenyan government and would have Whack: This is not about me! to be returned, I advised. During the Rwandan genocide, it was all about us. Wash- “You can’t do that!” came a voice from the other side of the ington policymakers acknowledged that we were the “world room. “Land grabbers will plant another building on the busy leader” in the international arena, but when it came to this corner,” he continued. “And there will be nothing to commemo- crisis, practicing leadership was the last thing we did. We spent rate what happened.” almost all of our time talking about “us”—i.e., what the U.S. Everyone in the room knew he was right. We made a plan, government could/should/would not do. Instead of harnessing encouraged private means to build and maintain a park, and I our brainpower to come up with innovative ways of halting a lobbied President Daniel arap Moi’s government to donate the

24 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL land. In 2016, President Barack Obama laid a wreath in that peaceful place. What if no one had said, “You can’t do that”? Could we have picked up warning signs of a pending genocide in Rwanda had we asked good questions and listened? For my part, I was delivering démarches in the country until two weeks before the slaughter began; and I can attest that we and other foreign govern- COMMOMSZWEIFEL/CREATIVE ments were continuing to press our poli- The Memorial Park at the site of the embassy bombing in Nairobi was opened in 2001 to honor those who were injured and killed in the terrorist attack. cies as plans for the slaughter unfolded.

Grow teams and develop trust through meaningful Nurture a culture of leadership and mind your lead- goals. When violence erupted in the streets of Kigali, ership business with passion. My business was to mul- 3 the interagency crisis team in Washington worked night 4 titask the issues that helped others get their jobs done. and day to help American citizens leave Rwanda safely. We If I got my job right—from getting the resources to overseeing the had concrete goals, realistic evacuation strategies designed by many moving parts of our reconstruction, policy and law enforce- the people on the ground and a worldwide team. Once Ameri- ment efforts—everyone else did, too. Decisions got pushed down, cans were out and U.S. interest evaporated, we morphed into a and leaders emerged at every level. A military post-office team cantankerous policy working group without goals, direction or that was in town to reconsider our mail privileges on the day we authority. As thousands of people died, we tasked one another were blown up stayed to re-establish mail services in our office with reports. parking garage. No one asked In Nairobi, before the them; they just did it. With not bombing, the country team After 1998, the failure to review a dime of extra money—Con- had set challenging goals gress was very specific about to address corruption and intelligence practices and this—our U.S. Agency for promote peaceful presiden- policy failures meant that International Development tial elections in 1997. The colleagues took on the creation experience of interagency nothing would change in and management of $30 million and Kenyan and American in assistance to Kenyan victims work teams pursuing those the way we were collecting of the bombing even as they goals together literally saved and sharing intelligence— themselves were recuperating lives on Aug. 7-8. For the first from it. 48 hours, we were on our until al-Qaida attacked the I could not heal a wounded own. As rescuers dealt with homeland. community, but I could help transport problems, Kenyan- create an environment in American teams tended our which healing was possible. wounded, assisted devas- That was a good part of my tated families and combed hospitals, morgues and neighbor- business. So was visibility. I could not take away anyone’s anger hoods to locate the missing. When the senior team developed or loss—Kenyans experienced both—but I could validate it. That mission goals after the bombing, we published them in the meant showing up. To rebuild our organization and commu- embassy newsletter. “Put people first” headed the list of objec- nity, we asked for a lot of outside help and got it. Another piece tives, and we accomplished all of them. of business was to ensure that “they” became “we.” Reminders of what we were accomplishing and celebrating milestones

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 25 helped. When I was in leadership mode I was thinking stra- Persevere. During the early days of the Rwandan geno- tegically, acting intentionally and behaving with the integrity cide I spoke several times with one of the senior perpe- people demanded. Nothing just happened. 7 trators, demanding that the killing stop and eventually advising him he would be held personally accountable for his Take care of your people, and the rest will take care role. He obviously did not listen, and Washington colleagues of itself. This piece of advice from Ambassador Don mocked me for my attempts. But at least I was doing something, 5 Leidel, a former boss and mentor at the Foreign Service and I never regretted the effort. That individual is now serving a Institute, popped into my head 24 hours after the bombing in life sentence in prison. Nairobi, at a moment when I was bombarded with conflicting Rwanda taught me to leave no stone unturned or cage demands. It became my mantra and leadership philosophy, unrattled if I wanted to understand local events or get unpopular but it was not easy. It meant addressing poor performance and decisions made in Washington. I tried for two years in Nairobi to people suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, challenging get attention paid to the security vulnerabilities of our chancery archaic department traditions and regulations, and creat- and failed. But I did try. And that made all of the difference for ing waves to make change. But Don was right. We overcame me after 213 people died and thousands of lives changed forever. extraordinary challenges, and The so-called “long war”— we did it together. which the East Africa bomb- I saw what can happen Rwanda taught me to leave ings presaged—will not likely when we do not take care of end under this administra- people, particularly the peo- no stone unturned or cage tion’s time in office. Nor will ple we employ locally. When unrattled if I wanted to globalization, poverty and I returned to Rwanda shortly climate change—or, for that after the killing had stopped, understand local events matter, the State Department’s I represented Washington at or get unpopular decisions need for sustained, effective the memorial service for col- leadership at all levels. leagues who died in the geno- made in Washington. Since leadership train- cide. I was keenly aware that ing at mid- and early senior we had agreed to bar Rwan- levels became mandatory a dan citizens from our evacuating diplomatic convoys in order decade ago, energetic, ground-up initiatives like iLead (a group to ensure safe passage for U.S. passport holders. I understood of State employees dedicated to improving leadership at State) the bargain, and as I stared into the stoic faces of the survivors I and activities like the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ peer training also understood their sense of betrayal. programs have grown. They persevere in transforming a culture I felt it myself when, after 9/11, I learned how much vital that valued individual achievement, conformity and hierar- information about al-Qaida activities in the 1990s had been chy to one that respects team work, diverse perspectives and withheld from me by colleagues in other agencies when I was shared goals. The quality of our nation’s international activities chief of mission in Nairobi. Afterward, the failure to review rests in the capable hands of the diplomats of the State Depart- intelligence practices and policy failures meant that nothing ment and USAID; and they need intentional leadership at the would change in the way we were collecting and sharing intel- top, not just among themselves. That does not just happen. ligence—until al-Qaida attacked the homeland. • Take care of yourself. My body needed rest and exer- cise, my mind needed distraction, and my spirit needed These are my lessons, my story. Others have much more to 6 healing. I confess I was a good role model, intentionally share with anyone who wants to ask, listen and act. Action is, taking time out and demanding that others do so, as well. No after all, the essence of leadership. I wish you a legacy that his- one declared World War III. Stiff upper lips, overworking and tory, and your great-grandchildren, will find positive. n sleep deprivation could not produce the leadership style of energy and optimism I wanted to convey and nurture.

26 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FOCUS NOTES TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION FOREIGN ASSISTANCE Time to Sharpen a Vital Diplomatic Tool

Here are eight recommendations to rationalize U.S. foreign assistance and, thus, greatly increase its effectiveness.

BY THOMAS C. ADAMS

hen the U.S. Agency for this effort can be seen in their selection of USAID’s second International Develop- Administrator, David Bell, who left his job as director of the ment was established Bureau of the Budget for what he considered a far more impor- in 1961 during the tant position: USAID Administrator. Kennedy administra- In the last three decades, however, we have returned to a tion, the idea was to highly fragmented system of foreign assistance, with some create a skilled and 20 agencies managing what are in many cases overlapping muscular foreign aid programs. The next administration has a good opportunity to agency out of an exist- rationalize the way the United States administers its foreign ing apparatus that had become bureaucratically fragmented assistance and, thus, greatly increase its effectiveness. Wand not particularly effective. Evidence of the importance that Every president wants to have a strong foreign policy. Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson assigned to Though many in Congress seem utterly hostile to foreign aid, the reality is that behind closed doors there is broad bipartisan Thomas C. Adams is a retired Senior State Department support for foreign assistance as a key element of advanc- official who spent more than 40 years in government ing U.S. foreign policy goals. And with the American people service, including 11 years in the Foreign Service with increasingly wary of large-scale military intervention, there is assignments to Zanzibar, Brussels and Budapest before a desire to use diplomatic tools over military ones. converting to Civil Service. During most of his government service, As these leaders recognize—fallacious or under-informed he was engaged in managing foreign assistance. As a member of the critiques of “nation-building” notwithstanding—U.S. foreign Senior Executive Service, he served as coordinator of assistance to aid programs that build effective governments, reduce ram- Europe and Eurasia, and as Haiti special coordinator. pant disease, offer education and hope for the future, increase

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 27 One wing of the Presidential Palace in downtown Port-au- Prince collapsed during the January 2010 earthquake.

apparently easier to create something new than to try to fix an existing agency. Over the years USAID’s work has been hampered by dozens of amendments to the original Foreign Assistance COURTESY OF THOMAS C. ADAMS C. THOMAS OF COURTESY Act to the point where a casual agricultural production and provide essential services from reader of the law might wonder how anything at all can get water to energy can reduce the conflicts and ungoverned done. As former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates noted in spaces that threaten U.S. security, in addition to reflecting the 2007 (in his Landon Lecture), after the end of the Cold War humanitarian instincts of the American people. the United States “gutted” its civilian foreign affairs agencies, especially the State Department and USAID, and thus its smart U.S. Smart Power Undermined power. Rebuilding these institutions takes time. The fragmentation of U.S. foreign assistance has been the When the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq called for massive result of congressional actions—particularly the efforts of foreign assistance to stabilize these countries after U.S.-led Senator Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) invasions, the result was limited after the Republicans gained a achievement at a very high cost, majority in the U.S. Senate in due largely to the fact that there 1994—as well as actions by recent With the American people was no single, robust assistance administrations. increasingly wary of agency with the kind of staffing Helms failed in his goal of needed to take on urgent and abolishing USAID, but he and large-scale military complex reconstruction tasks. A others succeeded in weakening intervention, there is a secondary problem was a lack of its capacity so that by the end of understanding by senior policy- the George W. Bush administra- desire to use diplomatic makers of what foreign assis- tion in 2008, USAID had only a tools over military ones. tance can accomplish and the little more than 1,000 Foreign timelines involved. At times State Service officers—less than half of and the Department of Defense the professional diplomatic staff seemed interested only in maxi- it had 20 years earlier. U.S. assistance was further fragmented mizing the amount and speed of money going out the door. during the second Bush administration with the creation Things have gotten better since then under the Obama of large new assistance programs, such as the President’s administration, but only marginally. Congress has made more Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (known as PEPFAR) and the funding available in flexible accounts and USAID staffing has Millennium Challenge Corporation, outside of USAID. It was increased, although not to the levels needed.

28 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL USAID provided materials for temporary shelters for many of the more than one million Haitians left homeless following the 2010 earthquake.

Steps to Improve Foreign Assistance Here are eight recom- mendations for the next administration on how to improve foreign assistance: 1. Select the leader- ship of USAID carefully.

The USAID Administrator ADAMS C. THOMAS OF COURTESY and his or her top subor- dinates have extremely difficult jobs. The next administration contractors, resulting in some embarrassing failures. In addi- should insist on hiring only top-flight political appointees tion to hiring more staff, training needs to be increased, and to staff senior positions at USAID, men and women with the the limits on using program monies for operating expenses same résumés they consider for the top positions at State should be abolished by Congress. Foreign Service officers at and the Defense Department. In particular, there is a special both State and USAID still only receive a fraction of the profes- need at USAID to appoint individuals to senior positions who sional training that their military counterparts receive. And understand how to work with Congress. Equally important, the a necessary functional skill that all USAID officers must have political leadership must have both an understanding and a is technical oversight, which requires training, experience willingness to represent the and mentoring. Increased development-foreign policy training needs to be geared linkages. Things do not go to produce 21st-century well in the agency when its Our best global friends foreign aid officers who, for leaders view themselves only and partners are countries example, better understand as technicians. how to meld governmental 2. Keep rebuild- that have received U.S. and private-sector resources ing USAID’s capacities. assistance since 1945. for optimal impact. Although the staffing 3. Begin consolidating increases sought at the end functions. With few excep- of the Bush administration tions, the next administra- and throughout the Obama administration have increased tion should migrate all assistance programs back to USAID USAID’s capacities, the agency still needs more employees for implementation. This will take some time to accomplish, in the field and in Washington designing effective programs, but the benefits of having all health, democracy, rule of law, contracting, and handling grants, inspections, evaluations economic growth, environmental and other programs in one and other inherently governmental functions. Due to person- place will result in economies of scale for back-office functions nel shortages, too many of these duties have been ceded to such as procurement and contracting—which are often lack-

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 29 Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s world food security initiative that is led by USAID, helps empower women in Guatemala to increase agricultural production and earn more for their families.

the respective State and USAID policy shops need to work to ensure that their approaches are mutually reinforcing. State officers need to better understand how foreign assistance really works; and USAID’s officers USAID/AGEXPORT need to be kept abreast ing at other agencies—and make coordination easier. There of our changing political and economic goals by country and are some exceptions such as military assistance programs, region. This needs to be done both in Washington and abroad. since the Department of Defense has robust capacity to imple- Exchanges of officers would be useful in this regard, but State ment these in coordination with State’s Bureau of Political- officers have been reluctant to go on detail to USAID for fear Military Affairs. The U.S. military should also continue to that such service would not be career-enhancing. One way to deliver a narrow set of emergency humanitarian and relief accelerate such details would be to take a page from the Gold- operations. But its recent uneven efforts to directly administer water-Nichols Act on DOD’s joint assignment requirements other types of foreign aid and its discomfort in so doing are and require interagency experience, including at the National another argument for a more robust USAID. This will require Security Council, for promotions to FS-1 and GS-15 and above greater coordination between the two agencies, which has for career officers in State, USAID and DOD. already begun. When smart, knowledgeable people put their heads Exactly how the MCC, the Trade and Development Agency, together, good policy is made, but this takes a lot of time and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the func- effort to achieve. More training designed to foster this type of tions of several State bureaus should be rejoined with USAID coordination is needed. How will the budgeting and alloca- needs careful analysis, but the trend must be toward har- tion of funds be handled with this type of coordination? There monization rather than fragmentation. The next administra- are many ways and models, but this should be left up to the tion, moreover, should examine whether Treasury’s carefully Secretary of State to ultimately decide, in consultation with guarded management of the U.S. government’s relationship Congress. Above all, however, senior foreign policy officials with international financial institutions should not more need to make sure that the views of assistance professionals appropriately be managed through USAID, as well. are taken into consideration. 4. Integrate foreign assistance and foreign policy. Those 5. Get USAID a regular seat at the National Security involved in defining policy at State and USAID need to be Council. As a non-Cabinet agency, USAID often struggles to better integrated at all levels. Ideally, State and USAID desk get its development perspective heard at the most senior poli- officers would be located near each other and jointly par- cymaking bodies. While a full-fledged seat for USAID at the ticipate in planning with DOD and other counterparts. And NSC might not be in the cards, we at least need to eliminate

30 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL With few exceptions, the next administration should migrate all assistance programs back to USAID for implementation.

the confusing current arrangement under which the USAID Administrator never knows until the last minute whether they will be invited to NSC meetings. In its first National Security Policy Directive, establishing the shape of the NSC, the next administration should make it clear that USAID will be a regu- lar attendee at NSC meetings whenever development, disaster or crisis management topics are discussed. 6. Strengthen the partnership with Congress. Congress has a key role in making sure that our foreign assistance is effective through its budgeting and authorization process. Over the years Congress has added additional hoops that the administration must jump through to implement programs, forcing USAID to add steps to an already lengthy process. Streamlining is needed. Other politically sensitive barriers to effective foreign assistance need to be addressed, such as standing up to the farm lobby and the American shipping companies to move all food aid to cash and do away with dumping commodities in countries (which has the risk of ruining local markets and agricultural production). Congress should be encouraged to reduce the practice of earmarking funds for certain programs and countries. While, for example, setting a high earmark for education may seem like a great idea, the reality is that education is a popular target for many other donor countries’ assistance monies. U.S. fund- ing might be more needed in a particular country to deal with inhumane prisons, or some other pressing need that typically does not attract donor funding. USAID needs to strengthen its Office of Legislative and Public Affairs and not be so reticent about engaging with the Hill. In dealing with Congress it is important not to overprom- ise, to quickly admit mistakes and to be ready to brief on any issue of concern at the drop of a hat. In my experience, staff and members are reasonable, and once they know that there is method to the perceived madness of the administration, they are usually willing to go along.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 31 U.S. Army logistician Terri Mcfadden (center) consults with USAID logistician Kelly Bradley (right) at a World Food Programme warehouse in Harper, Liberia, on best ways to transport supplies to U.S.-supported Ebola clinics.

rule of law, and giving people who live in countries captured by kleptocratic dic- tators the means to choose leaders who will provide citizens with basic services and create conditions that

CAROL HAN, USAID/OFDA HAN, CAROL promote economic growth and opportunity. 7. Educate the American public. Polls show that the Amer- This will require developing more programs that can be ican public thinks that as much as a quarter of our national deployed effectively in nonpermissive environments. Large budget goes to foreign aid (the true figure is about 1 percent), assistance flows from private foundations and investors pres- and that much of this is wasted. The many and continuing suc- ent increasing opportunities for partnerships between govern- cess stories need to be pre- ment aid and these sources of sented—from Plan Colombia funding. and the rebuilding of Europe Americans are a generous after World War II, to the It is ironic that the USAID people. We should be proud fact that Vladimir Putin fears brand is better and more of our assistance that has U.S. and other assistance to saved lives, made possible promote Russian democracy favorably known overseas many accomplishments and more than he fears NATO. than in the United States. created a more stable and They need to know that world prosperous world. When I health is improving, and talk with nongovernmental poverty is declining. Our best assistance providers and ask global friends and partners are countries that have received them which national aid agencies are the best, they uniformly U.S. assistance since 1945. It is ironic that the USAID brand is cite USAID as having some of the most knowledgeable and better and more favorably known overseas than in the United dedicated staff, both Americans and foreign nationals, who States. Outmoded, Cold War–legacy provisions in the Foreign regularly provide innovative and effective assistance under Assistance Act that prohibit USAID from telling its story to the difficult and often dangerous conditions. We owe it to these American public need to be removed. hard-working professionals to create the conditions for their 8. Get ready for the changing world. Creating a robust continued success. n assistance agency will help the United States and our part- ners better address the two most pressing problems we face in international affairs: using our assistance to promote the

32 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FOCUS NOTES TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION

Notes to the NEW ADMINISTRATI N

Following the U.S. presidential election and by way of welcoming the new administration, The Foreign Service Journal invited Foreign Ser- vice members to share their suggestions for how We Are Your Foreign Service diplomacy and development practitioners can The Foreign Service is your presence overseas. We implement best serve and advance America’s foreign policy your foreign policy. We sell your foreign priorities. We build and interests during the coming months and years. maintain foreign networks to help achieve your objectives and In a Nov. 10 AFSAnet, we asked for concise represent you to nearly 200 countries. answers to this question: “What is the one thing So please integrate us into the decision-making ranks. you want the new administration to know about Reduce the number of politically appointed ambassadors—we the role—or potential role—of the Foreign Ser- are thousands of trained, seasoned, top-notch diplomats ready vice?” to carry out your vision. We speak every official language in the Here are the suggestions from the U.S. Foreign world. We have worked in every country with which the United Service for what the Trump team should know States has diplomatic ties. Reduce the number of special envoys, and do. special advisers and special representatives—and instead –The Editors recognize that we are capable, trustworthy and good stewards of taxpayer money. We would not expect nearly 40 percent of military leadership to be politically appointed; and neither should nearly 40 percent of America’s diplomatic leadership be politically appointed. In short, let us be the powerful force for peace that we were designed to be, and make great use of us. Don’t marginalize us. We are, after all, your Foreign Service. Sandrine Goffard FSO Springfield, Virginia

Please End Political Corruption You have a golden opportunity to fulfill your campaign pledge to put a stop to corruption, cronyism and “business as usual” in Washington: End the disgraceful practice of rewarding per- sonal friends and donors with ambassadorships. Democratic and Republican presidents have been equally guilty in recent

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 33 decades of handing out many of these key A Bridge to the World diplomatic positions to individuals with no Our security and prosperity depend on the world around us, foreign affairs experience or qualifications and our diplomats are a bridge between the United States and whatsoever, often auctioning the cushiest the world—promoting our foreign policy, developing peaceful ambassadorial posts off to top campaign solutions in unstable situations that affect U.S. interests, under- contributors. standing and shaping foreign perceptions of the United States, Being an effective ambassador is a and generating the understanding and good will that form the serious, difficult job: ambassadors have bedrock of stable, strategic partnerships with all nations. to oversee large, multiagency embassies Jeff Weinshenker that manage complex relationships with FSO foreign governments. If you are serious Arlington, Virginia about defending U.S. interests in a danger- ous world, put all of our country’s ambas- sadorships back in the hands of our career We Are the Face of America Abroad diplomats—the Senior Foreign Service officers who have spent The Foreign Service has often been the first face of America the decades acquiring expertise on a wide range of international rest of the world sees—whether it is at a time of crisis through issues, mastering foreign languages, immersing themselves in humanitarian assistance, applying for a visa to visit this incred- foreign cultures and developing the skills necessary to negotiate ible country, or forming partnerships with other countries effectively with foreign officials. to achieve larger-than-life objectives such as elimination of We are the only government in the world that routinely sends extreme poverty. Every day, members of the Foreign Service out inexperienced novice appointees as our most senior repre- demonstrate abroad what America means: diversity, equality, sentatives. They have a steep learning curve and must be guided democracy, excellence and shared prosperity. every step of the way by their staffs, the people of the Foreign The Foreign Service must be allowed to continue to rep- Service who are assigned to their embassies. Allies and enemies resent all of America with integrity and objectivity, which are alike rarely take seriously these appointees, who often do care- core values of leadership. Because the world faces increasingly less damage to U.S. foreign policy. complex diplomatic and development challenges, with a wide It is time for a courageous administration to end this shame- range of stakeholders, a diverse cadre of professional diplomats ful form of political corruption. must continue to serve in many different ways to find common Steven Kashkett ground and viable solutions. FSO We are needed on the ground to connect with diverse people Washington, D.C. of host countries and in various institutions to help shape policies. To effectively achieve the nation’s objectives, the U.S. Foreign Service must be a model of diversity and mutual respect We Achieve Quietly for the rest of the global community. Like those in military service, we and our families make great Regina Jun sacrifices for the U.S. government because we believe that we USAID FSO can avoid costly and dangerous conflicts by achieving agree- U.S. Embassy Managua, Nicaragua ments, keeping up good relations, ultimately striving for peace. Our efforts and often our achievements are quiet—we never have and probably never will get the attention or praise the mili- We Offer Honest tary gets. But we’re still just as dedicated. and Clear Reporting Kristin M. Kane The Foreign Service is America’s experienced voice with an open FSO tradition of implementing America’s foreign policy objectives U.S. Embassy Brasilia, Brazil abroad. The men and women who are selected to be Foreign Service officers are highly competent and loyal to the president

34 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL of the United States of America and have no other agenda but to wish to take; and, undoubtedly, there will be pushback, both serve the administration. from friends and from adversaries. When your embassies inform The Foreign Service’s representational tradition is steeped you of such pushback, please don’t “shoot the messenger.” in honest and clear reporting to the host government, as well The Foreign Service will tell you what you need to hear, not as to the Department of State. This is the central focus of the what you want to hear. When Foreign Service officers suggest Service; officers are trained to call it as they see it. Reporting in modifications or even changes in your policies, you will need to this manner provides the administration with a solid basis for hear those points expressed loudly and clearly, and as accurately making critical policy decisions that could impact U.S. interests as possible. Such messages may be annoying, but they are essen- in a foreign region. tial to help you gain the full benefit of the Service’s expertise in George V. Corinaldi various substantive and geographical areas. As a matter of fact, FSO, retired we have institutionalized such disagreement with a “dissent Potomac, Maryland channel.” Our professional association, AFSA, can tell you more about this mechanism. Leon Weintraub Bridge Divisions FSO, retired E pluribus unum. That is the motto that points the way to making Potomac, Maryland America great again. Seek compromises that bridge the divisions in our society, not “solutions” that only make them worse. On foreign policy, “offshore balancing” beats “right to pro- We Are Not Your Enemy tect” every time. In honesty, President Trump, you were not our choice. Hill- Carleton S. Coon Jr. ary Clinton, despite the campaign hyperbole, was a reasonably Ambassador, retired effective Secretary of State—given that President Barack Obama Woodville, Virginia essentially made foreign policy. But Secretary Clinton advanced U.S. interests in human rights and particularly women’s rights around the globe. She paid more attention and gave more sympa- We Tell You What You Need to Hear thy to Foreign Service personnel and issues than has often been As your own foreign policy preferences have figured only mini- the case for Secretaries of State. We appreciated her. mally in your campaign, I hope you will give consideration to the That said, however, it does not make Foreign Service personnel views of the professionals in the U.S. Foreign Service who will be your enemies. We are professionals in assessing, analyzing, pre- entrusted to carry out White House guidance. dicting and addressing the policies and attitudes of foreign govern- The Foreign Service is not stacked against you. Career Foreign ments, nonstate actors and those opposed to U.S. interests. Service officers entered into public service not to promote a We want you to be successful. We want the United States of particular agenda, but to promote the considered goals of official America to advance its interests with maximum effectiveness, leav- U.S. foreign policy as determined by the president and foreign ing friends and allies reassured and enemies deterred from hostile policy advisers. They want to serve their country, and they join action. the Foreign Service with the expectation that they will serve If you have a leaky basement, you call a plumber. If you have a under various administrations with varying political goals and pain in your gut, you see a doctor. If you want to build a house, you interests. hire an architect. The plumber, doctor and architect are profession- The Foreign Service has a record of accurate reporting. Do not als; they don’t care about your politics or personality. be surprised if your Secretary of State tells you that the Foreign You get the point. If you want foreign policy expertise, the For- Service overemphasizes negative views. Traditional diplomacy eign Service consists of consummate professionals. Use us. effects change in incremental steps, and there are more than 190 David T. Jones countries that our diplomats will be informing of your wishes. Senior FSO, retired They each have to be addressed in ways that will make them Arlington, Virginia understand—and hopefully accept—any new directions you

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 35 • Promoting study in the United States is a big priority for We Are Stronger for Our Diversity them, because foreign students brought about $30 billion into The Foreign Service is stronger for our diversity. The State Depart- the U.S. economy in 2016. ment has worked hard to reduce barriers to LGBT diplomats • They do a lot of listening, and not just through polls. Some and their families serving overseas. And in countries where the of the local employees are connected to very prominent people government won’t accredit the families of LGBT diplomats, many in their countries. still choose to serve, willingly facing the risk to work where being • At present, public diplomacy is focused on President Barack gay is criminalized, street harassment is prevalent and LGBT activ- Obama’s foreign policy and on the issues of importance to his ists are regularly jailed. It is in these places that the governments administration, as it should be. After Jan. 20, it will need to pivot and society most need to see our faces, to work alongside us in the quickly. missions and to sit across the table from us in bilateral meetings. Foreign leaders depend on public support, just as you do. The This is how we make change, one diplomat at a time. earlier your appointees focus on public diplomacy, the more GLIFAA President FSO Kerri Hannan and success and influence you will gain with foreign leaders. The GLIFAA Board Joe B. Johnson Washington, D.C. FSO, retired Public Diplomacy Instructor, Foreign Service Institute Diverse Foreign Service Talent Arlington, Virginia Is Essential The recruitment, promotion and retention of diverse Foreign Service talent is essential to advancing our national security and Reassure the World prosperity. of America’s Role The Foreign Service benefits from advanced capabilities in As diplomats, we have been asked innumerable times over the interagency, intercultural and intergenerational planning and past year to explain the rhetoric emanating from this presidential decision-making, allowing it to be a leader in tackling the most campaign. It has not been easy reassuring people that the United pressing global issues, even in the most complex environments. States is the same country it has always been—welcoming of Morgan McClain-McKinney immigrants, a safe harbor for the poor and oppressed looking USAID FSO to build a better life, a nation holding as a core value that its Washington, D.C. strength is found in diversity. As official representatives of the United States, we believe this. Our interlocutors believe that we believe this. But the deep We Are Your Foreign Policy uneasiness I see in their eyes reveals skepticism that the new Marketing Team presidential administration believes this. Your foreign policy team will have a marketing department of The degree to which we, as the Foreign Service, can help 3,125 people based in Washington, D.C., with branches in 188 you advance U.S. interests abroad correlates directly to your other locations in the United States and abroad. Their job is to administration’s ability to develop and effectively communicate get out information and to leverage personal relationships in a vision of America’s role in the world that does not feed into a other countries that number in the millions. narrative of xenophobia, unilateralism and intolerance. This marketing arm is called public diplomacy, which is a As the inauguration approaches, we—and the world—look function of the Department of State. Use it right and it will serve forward to hearing directly from you in a way that reassures you well. all that America will continue to play the productive, promi- • It is illegal for these folks to target Americans in the United nent, indispensable role it has historically played on the global States. They focus on foreign audiences. stage; that it will remain committed to its alliances, champion • A lot of them are very talented, and to advocate our interests human rights and work with allies on the very real threat of they use every means of communication from Twitter to tours of climate change; and that it will remain a force for peace and the U.S.A. stability.

36 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL We take seriously the oath we swore to defend the Constitu- in the State Department or the Forest tion, and we look forward to helping you uphold yours. Service; in hospitals, medical corps or Matt Keene hospice settings, or other public ser- FSO, Consul General vice venues. Social studies and civics U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia training classes on our country’s proud history and form of government would be integrated seamlessly into this service The Tip of the Spear period, perhaps even affording college The U.S. Foreign Service and its 200-plus diplomatic missions credits for completion. around the world perform an array of duties and functions criti- Too many young people have no cal to the well-being of our nation. The Foreign Service acts not concept today of what it means to be an only as America’s “eyes and ears” globally, but also has the very American citizen or the sacrifices that special responsibility to execute and make presidential visions our fathers, mothers, grandparents and, real to a foreign audience—friends and foes alike. of course, veterans and Foreign Service America’s success as a nation can be linked historically to the members have made in providing all of us a safe, free and pros- dedication, wise counsel and sacrifice made by members of the perous America to live and thrive in. Foreign Service and foreign affairs agencies serving abroad. The Make public service great and meaningful again. Foreign Service stands ready as the “tip of the spear” in helping Steven M. Mort the Trump administration realize its vision of making America FS Information Management Officer great again, both at home and abroad. U.S. Mission Geneva, Switzerland Timothy C. Lawson Senior FSO, retired Hua Hin, Thailand Please Listen to the Diplomatic Service First of all, know that you have an elite diplomatic service at your Public Service Matters disposal, one that certainly is among the best in the world. Don’t I would wish to make clear to the new administration how much be afraid to use us regardless of whatever contrary advice you work the Foreign Service is tasked with and completes on a daily may receive. We exist in large measure precisely to carry out and basis at our embassies around the world, often putting them- implement policies crafted and codified by you and your senior selves knowingly into dangerous or unhealthy environments. staffers, as articulated eloquently in the Foreign Service Act of We have become an expeditionary Foreign Service in many 1980 and previous legislation dating back almost a hundred ways, while still carrying out support for congressional delega- years. tions (CODELs), staff delegations (STAFFDELs), Freedom Of But, please, also listen to us carefully, as we have honed Information Act requests and Secretary of State or presidential expertise of high value to you and our nation’s foreign policy. For visits, as well as critical diplomatic efforts in addition to routine that reason, too, please consider raising the proportion of profes- but important visa work to help promote freedom and democ- sional diplomats who will serve as chiefs of mission around the racy globally. I wish to convey my extreme pride in all of my col- world to at least 70 percent. The Trump administration and our leagues—past and present, generalist and specialist—who have country will both be better for this cardinal step. served or are currently serving proudly in the Foreign Service. We have skills, knowledge and experience, as well as repre- I would like to suggest that the inbound administration initi- senting the full diversity of our great country to help execute the ate a truly historical undertaking, much like a previous presi- vision you espouse for the next four years. dent with a vision for America did—I refer to John F. Kennedy’s Vangala S. Ram creation and support of the Peace Corps. Senior FSO, retired I urge this new administration to consider requiring two years Arlington, Virginia of mandatory public service by all 18- to 30-year-old citizens. They could choose to serve with, for example, the armed forces;

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 37 Protect Human Rights at Home We Understand Other Countries Countries around the world, their governments and people, pay Foreign Service officers are seasoned professional listeners paid attention to what is happening in the United States. It will be to interpret words, gestures, actions and the sometimes unstated incredibly difficult to promote an agenda of diversity, equality, messages behind these and other kinds of communications. tolerance and human rights overseas if we do not practice them Sure, we also speak and deliver clear messages of our own— at home. Please protect the rights, safety and health of women, about the way we see the world, what we want to achieve and LGBTQI persons and people of color in the United States so we what we hope to avoid. We are and represent the American may continue to do so abroad. people, the United States of America, the U.S. government, Katherine Tarr the current administration and—bottom line—the principles FSO embodied in the U.S. Constitution. (Our oath is to nothing else.) U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa, Honduras In delivering messages, we try to say exactly what we mean—no more, no less—to maintain focus on the issue at hand and to avoid unnecessary problems. We Reassure Allies and Some problems are unavoidable, of course, which is why Communicate with Adversaries we are paid to listen. Other countries and peoples don’t always Do not write off the entire Foreign Service as politically biased agree with our views. At a minimum, listening enables us to against you and not to be trusted. There is a wealth of expertise understand the reasons why. More broadly, a clear under- in the State Department that will make your foreign policy more standing of differences is the seed of any possible solution; and effective. We each take seriously our responsibility to the U.S. Con- generating solutions—limiting disagreement and finding areas stitution, the American people and the president. You could have of agreement—is the purpose of diplomatic work. the most brilliant game plan in the history of mankind, but if you So let us speak freely, including in communicating the con- do not put your whole team on the field you are going to struggle. trary views of other countries or peoples. In doing so, whatever We have a tradition of constructive dissent, which we will your view of issue X, you will be giving room for potential solu- continue to exercise through appropriate channels, perhaps with tions and keeping at bay the kinds of problems that might be historic frequency. A reasoned challenge to one of your policy pro- avoided. We have enough unavoidable problems as it is. posals is not a personal attack on you; it is an argument in defense Alexis Ludwig of the national interest. We probably will not change your mind FSO often, but your effectiveness is certain to suffer if you disregard our Bethesda, Maryland counsel completely. Your election has created tremendous uncertainty around the world, because this is your first public office and your style is … Consider History’s Judgement unique. If you want to reassure allies and communicate clearly As a retired Foreign Service officer, I would like to tell you that with adversaries, you are going to need the Foreign Service. the Foreign Service is proud of its profession and dedicated to Modern threats to U.S. interests are too dangerous for any of us the proposition that, to quote Churchill, “Democracy is the worst with any sense to wish for your failure. Your goal is to be a states- form of government except all others that have been tried from man. What possible purpose would it serve the Foreign Service time to time.” The Foreign Service must continually ask how his- to embarrass or undermine you? A safe and strong United States tory will regard what it tried to accomplish. must have a successful president, and we will do our duty to sup- Peter F. Spalding port you. Senior FSO, retired Brian T. Neubert Washington, D.C. FSO Director, Africa Regional Media Hub Johannesburg, South Africa Appoint Professional Ambassadors The one thing I would like to see the new administration focus on is to appoint only professional diplomats as American

38 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL ambassadors. That means Foreign Service officers, not wealthy most valuable resource. We must ensure that all are treated puff bags who have no foreign policy experience or just repre- equally with respect and dignity, both at home and abroad sent foreign lobbies. inside and outside the workplace. Stephen P. Dawkins USAID employees have sacrificed their lives in service to this FSO, retired country, and we continue to place ourselves in harm’s way in Key West, Florida defense of our values of freedom, equality and basic rights for all peoples. Furthermore, more than 10,000 USAID employees are nationals of the countries in which we work, and put their lives Foreign Assistance Represents on the line every day on behalf of the U.S. government. USAID the Best of America literally would not function without the brave participation and Development through foreign assistance is an imperative of unparalleled dedication, contributions and expertise of our United States foreign policy. We showcase our values through Foreign Service National employees. this strategic outreach to the global community. Through our Foreign assistance is a crucial pillar of the U.S. government’s assistance, we demonstrate our kindness, generosity, goodwill strategy to promote national security, economic stability and and desire for all people to reach their highest potential. Foreign goodwill overseas. A vital component of this is USAID’s prin- assistance represents the best of America. It promotes our vision cipled stance to advance women’s rights; rights for marginalized of the world at its best—one with peace, equality and prosperity. ethnic, religious and racial groups; and LGBTI rights overseas. One that benefits us all. Where active civil society and human rights form the core of a Andrea P. Capellán country’s foundation, peaceful societies thrive. USAID FSO We must continue setting an example of respect for such U.S. Embassy Lima, Peru values at home to maintain our credibility overseas and suc- ceed in our mission of ending extreme poverty and promoting resilient, democratic societies while advancing our security and Your Eyes and Ears Around prosperity. the World Michelle Dworkin The men and women of the Foreign Service will be your eyes USAID FSO and ears for the next four years, carrying out and explaining your Washington, D.C. foreign policy. They will also collect and analyze local reactions to it, both at the official level and in the streets. Sometimes you will not like what they report back to Wash- Choose Professional Diplomats ington, but I hope you and your appointees will not reject their America is seen and judged by countries around the world findings out of hand—or, worse, shoot the messengers. You may through its ambassadorial appointments. There is a cadre of decide for any number of reasons to disregard their advice and experienced, language-proficient professionals in our foreign stay the course, but at least you will know the risks of proceed- affairs community ready to fill those jobs. To send unqualified ing. political appointees to represent us abroad is, in many cases, not Steven Alan Honley only disrespectful to our own system and the serious process of FSO, retired conducting diplomacy; it is insulting to the receiving country, as Washington, D.C. well. I would hope your administration will look carefully at historical precedent and strive to use fewer, not more, political Set an Example of Respect for appointees to fill ambassadorships abroad and senior foreign Diversity affairs positions at home. USAID’s workforce includes Americans of all races, religions, Danny Root ethnic backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations, as well Senior Foreign Service, retired as immigrants who have chosen service to this country as their Bulverde, Texas path in life. Our employees are the face of our country and our

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 39 fields—all of them in the several foreign affairs agencies serve Call on Chas Freeman our government and the American people on the front lines of Recruit retired Ambassador Chas W. Freeman Jr. as soon as U.S. national security around the world. possible for the transition team, and also for subsequent policy Bruce K. Byers posts in the foreign affairs and/or national security fields. FSO, retired Helen Bridget Burkart and James E. Burkart Reston, Virginia FSOs, retired Bethesda, Maryland USAID Plays a Vital Role Temperature extremes, more intense droughts and less predict- Sustain the Peace Corps able rains have had an impact on harvests, food security and Support and sustain the Peace Corps, a hallmark of America’s livelihoods globally, with a potential to accelerate instability engagement in the world that redounds to the betterment of all and conflict as resources become increasingly scarce. Through and pays dividends in terms of influence and access. targeted programs and interventions, USAID Foreign Service Robert E. Gribbin officers have given communities and small-scale farmers the Ambassador, retired technology, information and skills to adapt crops and liveli- Springfield, Virginia hoods to a changing climate, and to build resilience to natural disasters. Through a combination of early warning systems and natural resource management techniques that have evolved The Rogers Act Established the with a changing climate, these programs are supporting USAID’s Professional Foreign Service goal to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic The 1924 Rogers Act established the Foreign Service as a profes- societies to advance our security and prosperity. sional corps of commissioned officers approved by the Senate and Ani Zamgochian serving at the pleasure of the president. In 1923 Representa- USAID FSO tive John Jacob Rogers (R-Mass.) led the initiative to create and U.S. Embassy Guatemala City, Guatemala, and maintain a flexible and democratic diplomatic corps that would Janet Lawson attract and retain the best people for worldwide duty on the USAID FSO basis of proven merit. Admission into the Foreign Service was Washington, D.C. based on a competitive examination, probationary assignments and merit promotion into the career service. This act was further strengthened by legislation in 1946. Make Fair Pay for Locally The 1980 Foreign Service Act amended these previous laws Employed Staff a Priority and solidified anew that the Foreign Service is a professional Locally Employed (LE) staff members are the backbone of corps of officers whose mission is to support the president and embassies and consulates around the world. Americans leave the Secretary of State in the conduct of U.S. foreign affairs. It fur- after a few years, but LE staff members stay in place, providing ther stated that this professional corps includes consular officers technical expertise, administrative support, security, language and agents, and that the Foreign Service is deemed essential to skills and host country expertise. Many of these dedicated pro- the national interest. fessionals have died in the line of duty. The long history of the Foreign Service and the names Yet the State Department has failed to provide fair compen- engraved in stone in the Department of State’s diplomatic sation for these indispensable employees. A 2009 report from entrance of those officers who have given their lives in service State’s Office of Inspector General found that the LE staff com- to our country attest to the need to maintain the independent pensation system is “inappropriate and inefficient” and “cannot integrity of the Foreign Service and its personnel and promo- be regarded as professional treatment of an irreplaceable, valued tion systems, apart from other U.S. government recruitment and group of employees.” employment systems. OIG found that lower-grade LE staff members in some coun- Members of the Foreign Service include specialists in many tries were paid at a rate that fell below minimum living stan-

40 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL dards. After the report was issued, the situation became even worse as a result of the department-wide pay freeze that caused Understand What LE staff wages in high-inflation countries to plummet. We Do The State Department has been addressing this situation I am a Midwesterner. I had no connection on a case-by-case basis, but a more comprehensive solution is to the Foreign Service prior to joining. needed. The effectiveness of our missions abroad depends on I have proudly served America in six our ability to attract and retain talented local staff members. countries during my career—helping in I urge the new administration to make fair pay for our LE staff a mass evacuation after an earthquake, colleagues a top priority and to seek funding from Congress to visiting Americans in prison to make sure make it a reality. their rights were protected, assisting an Mary Grace McGeehan American in the middle of the night who FSO, retired was destitute and had just been assaulted, Cape Town, South Africa uncovering various smuggling rings and preventing cartel members from being issued visas. America’s First Line of Defense I served in Bogota, where the Revolutionary Armed Forces of The Foreign Service is America’s first line of defense. Should Colombia–People’s Army, known as FARC, blew up car bombs; the Foreign Service fail to resolve an existential dispute, the U.S. and I served in Havana when we were considered the imperialist military then takes over. The Foreign Service and the State Depart- enemy. My wife and kids adapt to a new posting, language and ment are de facto, and generally unrecognized, national security culture every few years. My career isn’t unusual—this is what we organizations. in the Foreign Service do, and we are proud to do it. Langdon Williams Robert Neus FSO, retired FSO, Diplomat in Residence Reston, Virginia Chicago, Illinois

Recognize the Service Elevate Public Diplomacy in Foreign Service It is time to take public diplomacy out of the State Department We understand that many Americans don’t have a clear under- and give it back the agency status it once had. We are losing the standing of what we do—at home or abroad—compared to our war of ideas around the world. Social media has changed the way fellows in other agencies and departments. we practice public diplomacy, and we are not keeping up with it. My colleagues—whether Foreign Service or Civil Service, To help make America great again, we need to do a better job tell- military or foreign local employees—work long hours every day ing its story and explaining its policies. because they want to serve our government. No matter the politi- Ray Burson cal leanings of the administration, we believe in American leader- FSO, retired ship in the world, and we want to ensure good governance and Doniphan, Missouri defend and advance the interests of our nation and the principles our country stands for. Our collective dedication, experience and, yes, counsel, can Our Most Important Role be a powerful asset—and I urge the new administration to please The most important role of the Foreign Service is to get foreign- take advantage. ers to do what we want. To be most effective in that, we need an H. Martin McDowell understanding of foreign societies, interests and leadership. Our FSO embassies need to be secure and supplied with the right people Fairfax, Virginia and equipment to allow interaction with host governments and people at every level, including outside the capital. We use these contacts and relationships to develop policy recommendations

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 41 that account for the policy interests of our hosts and define the tance will progressively be managed by institutions that have points of intersection and divergence with our own. been certified. Diplomats play their highest-value role when we lead inter- These certified institutions will be responsible for managing agency teams overseas. The leadership role of the State Depart- aid funds and implementing donor-funded projects according ment in executing our foreign policy relies on our unique focus to a performance-based system. Strong, pro-poor institutions on foreign policy and ability to coordinate the views and activi- are the best way forward in the 21st century for low-income ties of a diverse interagency team to achieve well-defined goals. countries. The leadership role of the Foreign Service relies, as well, on Mark Wentling our unique ability to see and act on the full breadth of U.S. inter- USAID FSO, retired ests—unlike other agencies and services, which have a narrower Warwick, Rhode Island focus on security, cultural or commercial interests. FSOs should be present in every place and situation with the potential to affect U.S. strategic interests. At a minimum, FSOs Safeguard Our Diplomats should be assigned to joint military, intelligence and diplomatic In moving forward to “Make America Great Again,” diplomacy teams in areas of interest. Such assignments would allow for the must take a leading role in fostering enhanced international clearest operational picture and integrate policy recommenda- cooperation and an understanding of each country’s role and tions and actions from U.S. representatives best able to provide responsibilities in the world. An expanded U.S. diplomatic out- such insights. reach effort built on strength can only take place if appropriate Henry S. Ensher measures are in place to safeguard our diplomats as they work FSO and avoid the shortcomings and confusion that surrounded the McLean, Virginia 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya. Since September 2012 the Government Accountability Office has issued three reviews to address these shortcomings. Use Development Assistance First Review: June 25, 2014, “Diplomatic Security: Overseas to Build Capacity Facilities May Face Greater Risks Due to Gaps in Security- Strong institutions are necessary for the achievement of last- Related Activities, Standards and Policies” (GAO 14-655). ing progress. It is widely recognized that strong institutions Second Review: July 9, 2015, “Diplomatic Security: State Depart- are essential for nation-building and the efficient utilization of ment Should Better Manage Risks to Residences and Other Soft external assistance. It is therefore surprising that donors seldom Targets Overseas” (GAO 15-700). Third Review: Oct. 4, 2016, fund institution-strengthening projects. The overwhelming “Diplomatic Security: State Should Enhance Its Management of demands posed by the needs of low-income countries cause Transportation-Related Risks to Overseas U.S. Personnel” (GAO donors to lose sight of the fundamental requirement of building 17-124). the institutions required to manage aid and continue working These reports cover the three aspects of diplomatic secu- after external funding has ended. rity: overseas facilities, residential/soft targets and risks to U.S. Donors can accelerate the graduation of middle-income personnel. However, of the reports’ 26 recommendations for countries from dependence, and thereby shift more funding to improvement in these vital areas, only four have been ade- address the human needs of low-income countries. By joining quately addressed and closed. together, donors can streamline assistance and consolidate their Illustrative of these shortcomings is the two-year-old recom- focus on building the institutions needed to ensure development mendation that reads: progress on a sustainable basis. “To strengthen the effectiveness of the Department of State’s The goal is to enable host-government institutions to be risk management policies, the Secretary of State should develop certified as capable of managing funds and activities according a risk management policy and procedures for ensuring the phys- to international standards. More work is needed to consistently ical security of diplomatic facilities, including roles and respon- fund long-term institution assistance frameworks that increase sibilities of all stakeholders and a routine feedback process that host-country capacity to better manage its own affairs and continually incorporates new information.” respond to crises. In this manner, official development assis- Can America be made great again if we have not fully

42 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL addressed the security problems that continue to pose a threat to The paradigm of “the United States of America” causes great professional diplomats? ambivalence in much of our world, both inside and outside our James (Jim) Meenan borders. But it is a concept, a philosophy, a way of living and FSO, retired being with which virtually all people must contend in our cur- Fairfax, Virginia rent global society. We at the Department of State serve our country’s freedoms, democracy and respect for human life and dignity through our We Are Honored to Serve business, our conversations and our relationships, and by advo- As a medical doctor new to the Foreign Service, I watched our cating on behalf of the interests of the United States of America 2016 election from U.S. Embassy Caracas. One fact has become with humility and conviction. increasingly clear. Our “America” is not just “there” in the 50 It has been a great honor to serve the Obama administration, states. Not just “there” in the corridors of advertising, business and it will be a great honor to serve the newly elected Trump and commerce. And certainly not just “there” inside the Beltway. administration and each democratically elected administration The United States of America is everywhere we have staked a that occupies our White House. claim to a relationship, including at embassies like ours in Cara- Robert Bentley Calhoun, M.D. cas. For many here in Venezuela, we are the only “United States Regional Medical Officer of America” they will ever see. Everywhere that an American post U.S. Embassy Caracas, Venezuela n or citizen is, the United States of America is there, as well.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 43 FEATURE Developing the Next Generation of Followers at USAID We need to better understand followership—not just because it essentially complements leadership, but for its own specific qualities.

BY JOSÉ M. GARZÓN

everal years ago, I interviewed a Presidential leaders.” The stated purpose of the National Defense University Management Fellow candidate who, flush is “Educating, Developing and Inspiring National Security Lead- with enthusiasm, told me how much she ers.” wanted to lead people. She passionately Leadership is also among the promotion precepts for FSOs, described how, as a Peace Corps Volun- and everyone is rated against that precept. We take for granted teer, she had led the effort to bring water to that, with greater experience, every employee should assume villages in Honduras, overcoming all sorts greater leadership responsibilities. And why not? Who wants to of obstacles, and concluded with a rousing become a follower? To be called a follower is nearly a profes- plea: “I want to lead! I want to lead!” sional insult: supposedly, followers don’t make things happen, “Wonderful,” I replied. “But would you like to follow? We they don’t make a difference. No inspirational poster ever says Sreally need followers right now.” “You, too, can be a follower!” I can be such a buzzkill sometimes. But with all this leadership, is anyone following? Who is But I was trying to make a serious point. The U.S. government selected, trained or rewarded for following? And without follow- and the private sector devote enormous energy and resources ers, is anyone actually leading? This is not a trivial question, as to the subject of leadership. The Federal Executive Institute is followership cannot be assumed. dedicated to “helping executives perform effectively as the top Many would-be leaders who have charged up a hill have found themselves in a lonely place. Part of the problem is that we José M. Garzón is a retired Foreign Service officer who spent tend to confuse leadership with holding a leadership position. three decades working for the U.S. Agency for International But all of us know people who are put in such jobs who are not Development managing democracy, governance and con- leaders and would contribute much more by holding what I call flict programs. He now mentors and trains the next genera- a followership position. tion of development professionals, serving as co-chair of the Strength- Moreover, not everyone in the Foreign Service wants to be ening USAID Committee of the USAID Alumni Association, a Payne a leader, but may feel compelled to contort themselves to fit Fellow mentor and as an adjunct professor at American University’s that pigeonhole—an unfortunate waste of talent. Even if we School of International Service. He is the author of “Hispanic Represen- accept the narrow bureaucratic concept of leadership, everyone tation at USAID: Why So Low for So Long?” (March 2014 FSJ). in a leadership position is still in a position of followership to

44 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL someone else. Indeed, we spend most of our professional time following, not leading. Maybe the U.S. government So we ignore followership at our peril. We need to better under- stand it, not simply because it essentially complements leadership. isn’t yet ready to embrace As I will demonstrate, followership is also the critical skill needed the Zappos model, but for the most challenging Foreign Service assignments. the idea of followership Defining Followers still deserves careful What kind of followers are we talking about here? Sheep? Paper shufflers? Robots? Absolutely not! This is the critical point: the consideration. difference between good and bad followership. Good followers work both independently and collaboratively. They need minimal supervision. They take initiative; they create. Most importantly, who are guided by the mission, not other persons. they display courage. They know how and when to speak up, give The concept of followership didn’t die with the 1990s. It has bad news, make suggestions and dissent when needed. recently found a new expression in literature (e.g., Reinventing In 1988, management scientist Robert Kelley rebelled against Organizations by Frederic Laloux) and management (e.g., the hol- the leadership culture with an article, “In Praise of Followers.” In acracy system embraced by the online shoe store Zappos, which his 1992 book, The Power of Followership, Kelley posits a model recently eliminated its middle management in favor of “self-orga- that groups followers into four categories based on their level of nization”). Maybe the U.S. government isn’t yet ready to embrace independence, critical thinking, and activity or passivity. the Zappos model, but the idea of followership still deserves care- A dependent and passive follower is one who relies on leaders ful consideration. to think for them and who requires close direction. Kelley calls them “sheep.” The active version of this (active, but still dependent) Followership and USAID’s Mission is the conformist follower, or “yes person.” These two groups are The concept of followership is relevant to all organizations and usually associated with the term “follower.” The third category is sectors, but it matters especially in the field of international devel- the alienated follower. These are the individuals who are indepen- opment and is therefore of particular interest to members of the dent, but passive. On a good day, they are the skeptics in our midst; Foreign Service at USAID. on a bad one, they are called cynics. But in a bureaucracy, they are Consider where the field stands today. Since 1990, the world the ultimate survivors, because they do not oppose. They follow has made dramatic strides in reducing poverty, improving health, and grumble. reducing violent conflict and expanding democracy. But about 50 Kelley’s ideal is the independent, active follower, which he calls to 60 states are considered “fragile.” These are societies with low the exemplary or “star” follower. Exemplary followers possess four levels of legitimacy and effectiveness, and high levels of instabil- qualities: 1) they manage themselves well; 2) they are committed ity and violence. While different agencies maintain their own lists, to the organization and its goals; 3) they build their competen- using different methodologies, they tend to agree that places such cies; and 4) they are “courageous, honest and credible.” In Foreign as Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Haiti, Somalia and Service language, they are constructive dissenters when the situa- Yemen are highly fragile and unstable, with high levels of poverty. tion calls for it; otherwise, they are just straight-shooters. This goes In addition, many transnational problems, from migration and beyond “managing up,” which refers to one’s relationship with a disease to terrorism, find their breeding grounds in these fragile superior. Followership, by contrast, requires commitment to the states. From the standpoint of development, these countries have organization’s broader values and goals in the absence of clear been largely left out of the progress of the past three decades, or direction, or when specific directions from a supervisor conflict earlier progress has been violently reversed. While these are not with those larger values and goals. the only places that demand our attention as development profes- Kelley goes on to make another startling assertion based on sionals, they certainly will consume much of it. his research: Self-managed teams work best. Too many leaders Yet Foreign Service jobs in such difficult, often dangerous can lead to chaos, but the absence of leaders often produces places are usually the hardest to fill. Some, like Afghanistan and excellent results—provided the team has the right members, Iraq, are unaccompanied posts (Critical Priority Countries in

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 45 ally build U.S. credibility. Exemplary followers, and The Foreign Service’s traditional methods of selecting, devel- oping, promoting and rewarding staff are designed for relatively their teams, need more stable contexts. One gradually assumes greater responsibilities and freedom of action, not less. becomes a leader, or at least moves toward that goal. But complex, unpredictable environments, such as fragile states, challenge traditional management paradigms. These environments require quick, creative responses and the sorting out of competing objec- USAID parlance). They present problems that do not fit neatly tives. They demand a higher level of independence, the ability to within any sector. Instead, they require the ability to work across collaborate and creativity. Loyalty to the mission becomes more sectoral and agency boundaries in novel and creative ways. Above important than mere compliance with procedures and directives. all, they require courage: not only bravery in the face of real physi- In some cases, as occurred with provincial reconstruction cal risks, but the willingness to send bad news up the chain of com- teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, an employee is attached to a special mand and to constructively dissent when necessary. Since fragile unit away from the capital and must work independently of the states abound with policy and program failures and contradictions, “mother ship.” Even in the embassy or USAID mission, employees they generate plenty of bad news to report. have to negotiate their way through a tangled web of interagency, For all these reasons, Foreign Service work in these states multisectoral and multi-institutional interests without the benefit requires a certain kind of professional: one who is able and willing of a proven textbook. A good example of this is rehabilitation of to work independently, deeply commit to a mission, continuously youth soldiers and gang members, where interventions are legal, build new competencies (especially by engaging with different social, psychological and economic. Trial, error, rapid learning and professionals or by developing new cultural and linguistic skills), retrial slowly show the way forward, and competing priorities (e.g., go where the action is, speak truth to power and be credible to all supporting a new government vs. protecting human rights) need to parties. be sorted out in practice. A professional who simply manages up or follows direction will not provide the type of energy or creativity to The Ideal Follower such a complex task. That person is the exemplary follower. Such individuals and their teams need more freedom of action, not less. But the natural Restoring the Balance reflex of bureaucracy is to go in the opposite direction. What The Foreign Service already has many exemplary followers, but tends to happen, especially in the CPCs, is that the U.S. politi- they do not receive the same encouragement and opportunities to cal leadership sends more leaders and more money—but then excel in that role as leaders receive in theirs. So how should USAID requires those employees and managers to spend most of their and other foreign affairs agencies go about restoring balance time accounting for, well, their time. This was particularly true of between these two sides of the same coin? Afghanistan during my tour from 2008 to 2009 there as head of Down the road, we should consider establishing a School the Democracy and Governance Office. The organizational chart of Followership Studies at the Foreign Service Institute, which became an inverted pyramid as multiple ambassadors and coor- already has a very active School of Leadership and Management. dinators, along with the Office of the Special Inspector General for Even Foreign Service employees who are wholly committed to Afghanistan Reconstruction and a constant train of congressional becoming organizational leaders could benefit from a few courses delegations, all watched over project managers who had little on followership. But that will obviously take significant time and mobility or authority. resources. In the meantime, here are a few suggestions to nurture A particularly unfortunate side effect of heavy oversight is that the next generation of exemplary followers. mere “staff” are discouraged from revealing policies that are not One approach could be for USAID to create self-managed working or counterparts who are abusive and corrupt. I can attest teams in the field, charged with proposing and implementing new from my work in Latin America that reporting human rights abuses solutions to a thorny development problem, such as insecurity or by security forces is often not welcome. Under these circum- natural disasters. These teams would have the freedom to experi- stances, the exemplary follower may be unfairly viewed as “not a ment, make program adjustments and carry out frequent, informal team player,” when this kind of employee is the one who can actu- evaluations.

46 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Another application of the followership principle lies in rework- critical information to the attention of senior agency leadership— ing the selection, training and development of new Foreign Service has gone largely unused. That is particularly discouraging for an officers, something I think will resonate with millennials. We organization that supports democracy and prides itself on an open should identify and nurture the qualities that will be needed for and democratic internal culture. Perhaps constructive dissent is the messy world they will enter, such as independence, creativity, not part of the USAID organizational culture, or perhaps USAID flexibility, the ability to work unsupervised and, above all, courage. FSOs do not feel the need to formally dissent. But I suspect it is also Why not give stronger weight to these qualities in the Foreign Ser- because USAID FSOs are feeling especially vulnerable because vice promotion precepts, and evaluate performance accordingly? they serve in a non-Cabinet agency that faces heavy oversight. As Finally, as I’ve already noted, a key indicator of exemplary USAID focuses more on fragile states where poverty and instability followership is the practice of constructive dissent. This has an is most difficult to overcome, we will need to see more constructive illustrious tradition in the Foreign Service, and AFSA rightfully dissenters and sharers of honest information. recognizes it. Yet while the State Department Foreign Service pro- Ultimately, the idea of followership is about turning the bureau- motion precepts do include a section on constructive dissent, that cracy on its head and shaking it a bit before putting it back on its is absent from the USAID precepts. feet. We hear a lot about “innovation.” Innovation is a wonderful Not surprisingly, few USAID FSOs write dissenting cables or idea, but it needs to transform from a buzzword to natural habits memos, and few have received AFSA’s own awards for construc- and practices. To truly innovate requires an organizational culture tive dissent. USAID’s own Direct Channel—which, like the State where leadership is enhanced by followership. If we follow, we Dissent Channel, is intended to allow FSOs to bring concerns and shall also lead. n

You Are Our Eyes & Ears!

Dear Readers: In order to produce a high-quality product, the FSJ depends on the revenue it earns from advertising. You can help with this. Please let us know the names of companies that have provided good service to you — a hotel, insurance company, auto dealership, or other concern. A referral from our readers is the best entrée! Ed Miltenberger Advertising & Circulation Manager Tel: (202) 944-5507 Email: [email protected]

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 47

AFSA NEWS NEWSTHE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION

AFSA Thanks Outreach Participants

P. 6 2

CALENDAR

January 15 Deadline:

AFSA/ÁSGEIR SIGFUSSON SIGFUSSON AFSA/ÁSGEIR Sinclaire Language Award AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson (center) with members and staff who made 2016 such a Nominations successful year for AFSA outreach. January 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day: On Dec. 7, AFSA welcomed Una Chapman Cox Founda- people in your local commu- AFSA Offices Closed close to 30 members for a tion for their partnership with nities to tell the story of the January 20 reception at its headquarters. AFSA, which has allowed us to Foreign Service. Inauguration Day: The purpose was to thank add an outreach staff mem- “You have spoken at Road AFSA Offices Closed those individuals for their role ber and dramatically increase Scholar programs, supported February 1 in public outreach campaigns our capacity in this area. the essay contest, partici- 12-1:30 p.m. on behalf of AFSA and the “No matter how hard we pated in World Affairs Council AFSA Governing Board Meeting Foreign Service in 2016. work on outreach initiatives high school education pro- During the holiday-themed here at AFSA, they simply grams, offered events in this February 6 Deadline: reception, AFSA President would not be possible without very room and even met with AFSA Merit Award Ambassador Barbara Ste- you all,” said Amb. Stephen- community college students Applications phenson offered remarks, son. “You are the people who in Kodiak, Alaska!” February 13 specifically thanking Ambas- answered the call and took Ambassador (ret.) Patricia 12-1:15 p.m. sador Lino Gutierrez and the on the challenge to meet with Butenis, a member of the Recruitment Luncheon: AFSA Governing Board, spoke 12th Consular Fellows Class of her own experiences doing February 20 outreach in her home state of Presidents’ Day: New Jersey. There is a clear AFSA Offices Closed interest in hearing from mem- February 28 bers of the Foreign Service in Deadline: places ranging from middle AFSA Dissent and schools to universities, she Performance Award Nominations reported. Amb. Butenis recounted March 1 12-1:30 p.m. a story from her visit to the AFSA Governing AFSA/ÁSGEIR SIGFUSSON SIGFUSSON AFSA/ÁSGEIR Trenton Catholic Academy, Board Meeting From left: AFSA State Representative Alison Storsve, Retiree Vice President where the teacher thanked Ambassador (ret.)Thomas Boyatt, State VP Angie Bryan and Retiree Representative Ambassador (ret.) Patricia Butenis, chatting at a reception her by saying that without to thank those who reach out for AFSA. Continued on page 51

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AFSA NEWS STATE VP VOICE | BY ANGIE BRYAN AFSA NEWS Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA State VP. Contact: [email protected] | (202) 647-8160

Speaking of Elections

Just when you thought you wouldn’t have to hear the Whether you’re interested in running for office or not, word “elections” for a few more years, it’s time to please be sure to vote. It makes an enormous difference talk about the upcoming who holds the job of State Vice President. elections for the 2017-2019 AFSA Governing Board. For starters, my job will be up for grabs. Like the job of AFSA President, the job of AFSA State Vice President Attention to detail is ment relations are complex. erations of FS colleagues. In is a full-time job that comes crucial, as is a solid under- It can be frustrating to short, your efforts actually with a time-in-class exten- standing of and appreciation see how hard it is to effect matter. sion. While any grade and for the full spectrum of FS actual change in the depart- If you’re interested in any skill code can run for employees. A policy which ment, and it’s no fun to becoming more involved but the position, the wider the might be great for FSOs, for have to tell people that you don’t want it to be your full- candidate’s experience in example, could disadvan- weren’t able to get them the time job, consider running the Foreign Service, the bet- tage specialists, or a policy result they wanted. for a State Representative ter he or she will be able to that sounds like a positive There’s also a two-year position on the Governing do the job. change might in fact end up cooling-off period after you Board—those are all volun- The State VP is the hurting employees at lower finish the job, which pre- teer positions, not full-time head of the union portion grades, etc. vents you from assuming a jobs. You attend the monthly of AFSA (the professional The State VP main- leadership position within Governing Board meetings association side is led by the tains contact with several HR immediately after serv- and get involved in other president) and, as such, is employee organizations and ing as AFSA State VP. issues as much or as little as the chief negotiator for the affinity groups and meets The positives, however, you want in between. union. regularly with the leader- far outweigh the negatives. Finally, whether you’re What does that mean in ship of the Career Devel- The job is extremely flexible interested in running for practical terms? When the opment and Assignments in terms of work-life bal- office or not, please be sure State Department proposes Office (HR/CDA), Diplomatic ance, and it provides the to vote. It makes an enor- a new policy or a signifi- Security and the Bureau of holder with a rare oppor- mous difference who holds cant change to an existing Medical Services, to name tunity to set his or her own the job of State VP, so you policy, the State VP leads a few. agenda and prioritize which- need to acquaint yourself the negotiations on behalf of He or she also attends ever issues they believe with the candidates and FS employees. I’m a politi- the monthly AFSA Gov- are most important for the their positions on issues cal officer, but I’ve engaged erning Board meetings; Foreign Service. that matter to you. in more negotiations during participates in periodic AFSA’s labor-manage- Vote for whichever candi- this assignment than during AFSA budget meetings; ment staff are some of the date you believe possesses any of my overseas postings. coordinates as needed with best colleagues I’ve ever the best judgment when it The State VP, along counterparts at Agriculture, had, and I genuinely enjoy comes to protecting your with the excellent labor- USAID and Commerce; and coming to work each day interests. It matters. n management staff at AFSA, writes this riveting monthly because of them. You learn is responsible for reviewing column on the topic of his or a lot about how the State new and revised policies and her choice. Department works (for bet- determining how best to miti- Every job has its down- ter and for worse), and you gate any potential adverse sides, and this one is no get to play a role in making impact to our members. exception. Labor-manage- things better for future gen-

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 49 FCS VP VOICE | BY STEVE MORRISON AFSA NEWS

Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA FCS VP. Contact: [email protected] or (202) 482-9088

Results Matter

It’s fair to say that I was real—until they are traded even help us prosper. Now, all quantifiable and shocked by the results of for actual votes, something It has been a long time measurable—put us on the the recent U.S. Presidential concrete and actionable, as since we’ve seen radical new road of differentiation and election. we saw in November. developments on the trade success that we are now on. In fact, confident in a The same goes for trade promotion front. But one of So I’ll toss out my Clinton win, I had turned in promotion, right? Until you the things I remember most insights into what a Hill- my January column ahead of actually help a company was when Director General ary Clinton administration schedule. Throughout 2016, close that sale or secure that Sue Schwab (under her might have looked like. Our polls and pundits predicted contract, you really haven’t sagacious, forward-looking most important job now is a close-fought race but that, accomplished your goal. “Strategic Review” dur- to stay focused on getting eventually, Hillary Clinton And that is why, in spite ing the George H.W. Bush results for American busi- would prevail. of the unexpected election administration) introduced ness and workers, and to But on Nov. 8, America results and the enormous export successes (or per- continue to promote foreign chose a different path and changes that will come with haps they were called export direct investment in the elected Donald Trump as the a new administration, I am “actions” back then) and United States, and the rest 45th president of the United encouraged by the idea that value-added counseling. will take care of itself. States. our business-centric metrics Those two develop- We have much to be What I learned that and value-added counseling ments—along with the proud of, and our results and night is that polls are just will not only help us survive advent of the Gold Key Ser- business-like metrics will that: polls. They are not the transition but perhaps vice and the end of Export speak for themselves. n

AFSA Dues Change for 2017

AFSA has increased dues for This increase will provide 2017 by 1.5 percent for all the association with a stable individual membership cat- and predictable income egories. In concrete terms, source, giving AFSA the this amounts to an increase resources needed to carry of between 5 and 25 cents out its multifacted mission. per pay period, depending Active-duty and retired on an individual’s member- members paying dues via ship category. payroll and annuity deduc- AFSA policy, in accor- tion will see a small increase dance with Article IV of the in the amount automatically AFSA bylaws, is to increase deducted from their pay- dues by no more than the checks and annuities. Those cumulative increase in the paying annually will be national Consumer Price billed the new rate on their Index, published by the regularly scheduled renewal Department of Labor, since date. n the effective date of the pre- vious dues increase. AFSA last increased its member- ship dues rate in January 2015.

50 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL RETIREE VP VOICE | BY TOM BOYATT AFSA NEWS

Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA Retiree VP. Contact: [email protected] | (202) 338-4045

“To Support and Defend the Constitution”

The presidential election in November really was like We do not swear allegiance to an emperor, a king, a president, no other that I remember a political party, the blood of our ancestors or the like. (going back to 1940) or have read about (all the others). We swear allegiance to a document with specific ideas and Just about everybody—the structures for governance. That is a wonderful concept. pollsters, media, pundits, the academy, late-night comics, entertainers, all Democrats, most Republi- pure and simple: all serv- stitutional Convention was as established by statute— cans and you and I—got it ing members of the Foreign General George Washing- for example, the Secretary wrong. Even President-elect Service should continue to ton. One of the outstanding of State. Donald Trump’s supporters honor their oath of office operational and intellectual Every diplomat since the were stunned, and the shock by showing up for work and leaders was Lt. Colonel Alex- enactment of the Constitu- of the coastal elites was bringing all of their energy ander Hamilton. They and tion has sworn in his or her palpable. and talents to the tasks their colleagues knew from oath of office “to support Within this maelstrom of assigned. experience that the very suc- and defend the Constitution emotion there are reports Let’s go back to the cessful diplomacy of Frank- of the United States.” We do that some of our less experi- basics surrounding our oath lin, Jefferson, Adams and the not swear allegiance to an enced Foreign Service officer “to support and defend the others enabled victory in war emperor, a king, a president, and specialist colleagues are Constitution of the United and made the formation of a political party, the blood of confused and asking their States.” Article II of the U.S. the United States possible. our ancestors or the like. We peers and mentors what they Constitution deals with the The Constitution reflects the swear allegiance to a docu- are supposed to do now. The executive branch. There are fact that, for the founders, ment with specific ideas and implication is that they are only five executive branch diplomacy mattered. structures for governance. questioning how to serve the officers of government men- Specifically, Article That is a wonderful concept. incoming president. tioned in Article II. Obviously, II, Section 2 states, “The Every Foreign Service I hope that these reports the first two are the presi- President shall nominate officer and specialist, as are inaccurate and exagger- dent and vice president. The and, by and with the advice constitutional officers and ated. But just in case such other three are diplomatic and consent of the Sen- citizens, must honor and thoughts hover in the minds positions: ambassadors, ate, appoint Ambassadors, support the implementation of some colleagues, let me ministers and consuls. We other public Ministers and of this concept every day, table a direct response. are all constitutional officers. Consuls, Judges of the and particularly during a The answer, of course, is The president of the Con- Supreme Court” and others presidential transition. n

Outreach Event ees were from the Wash- choice to place a significant To learn more about Continued from page 48 ington, D.C., area, it goes emphasis on public out- how to become involved in her visit, her students would without saying that AFSA is reach during its term, and AFSA outreach, please email never have realized that similarly grateful to all of our without the many members [email protected] or visit someone like them—a regu- members across the country who share our belief in the www.afsa.org/speakers. n lar kid from South Jersey— who have engaged in out- importance of that mission, could grow up to become a reach in their communities. it would not have been as diplomat. The AFSA Governing successful or wide-ranging While most of the attend- Board made a conscious as it has been in 2016.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 51 AFSA NEWS

Call for Nominations: 2017-2019 AFSA Governing Board

AFSA’s Governing Board 2017-2019 AFSA Governing amendments approved employees are assigned over needs you! Board. by the membership in the complement and are eligible By standing for elec- 2015 AFSA election, the for time-in-class extensions. tion to the AFSA Governing Election Call AFSA Governing Board will The active-duty repre- Board, you can help lead Election of AFSA Officers be reduced from 29 mem- sentative positions are not the association dedicated and Constituency Repre- bers to 18 voting members. full time, but they are given a to furthering the profession sentatives. This election call, Each constituency with 100 reasonable amount of official of diplomacy and the career issued in accordance with members will have one Vice time to attend meetings Foreign Service. Article VII (2)(a) of the AFSA President and is entitled to regarding labor management AFSA is seeking dedi- bylaws, constitutes a formal one representative per 2,000 issues. cated active-duty and retired notice to all AFSA members members or fraction thereof, Governing Board mem- professionals from all Foreign of the opportunity to partici- provided that the fraction is bers are required to attend Service agencies to serve in pate in the nomination and greater than half. Constitu- board meetings, tradition- leadership positions. election of a new Governing encies with fewer than 100 ally on the first Wednesday There are many benefits Board. members are entitled to one of each month at lunchtime to joining the AFSA Govern- representative. and may volunteer to serve ing Board: Call for Nominations The positions listed above on additional committees. • A significant role in Available Positions. have two-year terms begin- For position descriptions for advancing your profession; The following positions will ning July 15, 2017. AFSA all officer positions, see the • Access to up-to-date be filled in this election: bylaws require that all Gov- AFSA website: www.afsa.org/ information about the chal- Officers erning Board members must board. lenges facing your agency • President be resident in the Washing- and your profession • Secretary ton D.C. area within 60 days Nomination Procedures • An opportunity to • Treasurer of taking office on July 15, Nominating Candidates. enhance the value of AFSA • Vice President for State 2017, and must remain resi- Any AFSA regular member membership to the foreign • Vice President for USAID dent in the Washington D.C. in good standing (i.e., a affairs community; • Vice President for FCS area throughout their term member whose dues are • Managing a multimillion- • Vice President for FAS in office. automatically deducted or dollar organization with a • Vice President for Retirees The president and State, who has paid dues as of Feb. large professional staff and USAID, FCS and FAS vice 1, 2017) may nominate any • The chance to exchange Constituency presidents are full-time posi- person (including them- ideas and perspectives with Representatives tions detailed to AFSA. These selves) for any of the avail- other volunteer leaders. • State Department Repre- AFSA values and seeks sentatives (5) diverse leadership as defined • USAID Representative (1) Important Dates: by professional level, skill • Alternate FCS Representa- February 1, 2017 Deadline for nominations code, race, color, religion, tive (1) February 9, 2017 Informational meeting for candidates— sexual orientation, gen- • Alternate FAS Representa- optional der identity or expression, tive (1) February 15, 2017 Committee on Elections announces national origin, age, disability, • BBG Representative (1) candidates’ names etc. • APHIS Representative (1) April 17, 2017 Ballots and candidate statements mailed Consider joining the next • Retired Member Represen- June 8, 2017 Ballots counted AFSA leadership team by tatives (2) July 15, 2017 New Governing Board takes office running for a position on the Note: As per the bylaw

52 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

able positions for which the available positions: occupied or will occupy posi- agement official” does not nominee is eligible. 1. The individual must be tions within their agency that include: (A) any chief of mis- The following require- an AFSA regular member in involve labor-management sion; (B) any principal officer ments apply to nominations: good standing by Feb. 1, 2017, relations or the formulation or deputy principal officer; 1. No member may nomi- and remain in good standing of personnel policies and (C) any administrative or nate more than one person through the election process programs of a foreign affairs personnel officer abroad; or for each officer position or and, if elected, for his or her agency. (D) any individual described more than the number of rep- term of office. a. Section 1017(e) of the in section 4102(12)(B), (C), resentatives established for 2. The individual must not Act, 22 USC 4117(e) states: or (D) of this title who is not each constituency. No mem- have a conflict of interest as “Participation in labor organi- involved in the administration ber’s name may appear on defined in Section 1017(e) zations restricted. of this subchapter or in the the ballot for more than one of the Foreign Service Act. (1) Notwithstanding any formulation of the personnel position. Each nomination Please see the “Conflicts of other provision of this sub- policies and programs of the must indicate the position Interest” section below for chapter—(A) participation in Department.” for which the person is being more information. the management of a labor b. Section 1002 (12), 22 nominated. A nominee may 3. The individual must organization for purposes USC 4102(12) of the For- run for a position outside of be resident in the Washing- of collective bargaining or eign Service Act defines a his or her constituency (e.g., ton, D.C., area on July 15 as acting as a representative of management official as “an a retiree position while on described in Article V, Sec- a labor organization for such individual who: is a chief of active duty) as long as the tion 8 of the AFSA Bylaws. purposes is prohibited under mission or principal offi- nominee will be a member of this subchapter: (i) on the cer; occupies a position of that constituency by the time Conflicts of Interest. Sec- part of any management offi- comparable importance to the new Governing Board tion 1017(e) of the Foreign cial or confidential employee; chief of mission or principal takes office on July 15. Service Act restricts employ- (ii) on the part of any officer; is serving as a deputy 2. All nominations must ees serving in certain posi- individual who has served to the foregoing positions; be submitted by completing tions within their agencies as a management official or is assigned to the Office of the nomination form on the from participating in labor- confidential employee during the Inspector General; or is AFSA website: www.afsa.org/ management issues while the preceding two years; or engaged in labor-manage- nominationform. To be valid, serving on the Governing (iii) on the part of any other ment relations or the formu- they must, without exception, Board. employee if the participa- lation of personnel policies be received no later than 5 Management officials tion or activity would result and programs of a foreign p.m. on February 1, 2017. and confidential employees, in a conflict of interest or affairs agency.” 3. Nominations must be as well as those in positions apparent conflict of inter- c. Section 1002 (6), accompanied by evidence of that may raise or appear to est or would otherwise be 22 USC 4102(6) of the eligibility (i.e., no conflict of raise a conflict of interest incompatible with law or with Act defines a confidential interest as described below). (as defined below) when the official functions of such employee as “an employee 4. Nominations may be the new Governing Board employee, and—(B) service who acts in a confidential submitted individually or in takes office on July 15, may as a management official capacity with respect to an slates. To qualify as a slate, a not participate in Governing or confidential employee is individual who formulates proposed slate must have a Board discussions, delibera- prohibited on the part of any or effectuates management minimum of four candidates tions or decisions relating to individual having participated policies in labor-manage- from at least two constituen- labor-management issues. in the management of a labor ment relations.” cies. Slate designations will They may participate in AFSA organization for purposes of Employees who may have be noted on the ballot. Board activities that do not collective bargaining or hav- a conflict of interest or poten- relate to labor-management ing acted as a representative tial conflict of interest include Qualifications for Govern- issues. of a labor organization during those who are “engaged in ing Board Membership. Indi- The Foreign Service Act the preceding two years. personnel work in other than viduals meeting the following also imposes a two-year pre- (2) For the purposes of a purely clerical capacity” qualifications are eligible and post-AFSA “cooling off” paragraph (1)(A)(ii) and para- (for example, employees for nomination to one of the period on employees who graph (1)(B), the term “man- assigned to non-clerical posi-

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 53 AFSA NEWS

tions within the HR Bureau) in labor-management issues may run for the AFSA Gov- Campaigning and “employees engaged in while serving on the Govern- erning Board provided their 1. Campaign State- criminal or national secu- ing Board. fellowship ends before the ments. All candidates will rity investigations of other • Post-AFSA restric- incoming board takes office be given the opportunity employees or who audit the tions: Employees who have on July 15, 2017. to submit campaign state- work of individuals to ensure participated in collective ments for dissemination that their functions are dis- bargaining while serving on Accepting a to AFSA members with the charged honestly and with the AFSA Governing Board Nomination election ballots. Further integrity” (such as employ- may not serve: 1) in a man- 1. A nominee must indi- information regarding such ees assigned to Diplomatic agement position in Wash- cate his or her acceptance statements and editorial Security investigative units ington that involves labor- of a nomination by complet- deadlines is contained in or those assigned to the management relations or ing the online Nomination “Instructions to Candi- OIG). See Sections 1012(1) the formulation of personnel Acceptance Form at www. dates,” which will be posted and (2), 22 USC 4112(1) and policies and programs; or 2) afsa.org/nominationform no by the Elections Committee (2) of the Foreign Service as a confidential employee later than 5 p.m. EST on Feb. on the AFSA website Act. to such management posi- 10, 2017. Any nominee whose (www.afsa.org/elections) tions, for two years after Nomination Acceptance by Jan. 3, 2017. Other Restrictions leaving AFSA. Form is not received by the 2. Supplementary As discussed above, the Members should con- Committee on Elections by Statements. Should Foreign Service Act pre- sider these restrictions this time will be considered candidates wish to mail cludes these categories of before deciding whether to have declined candidacy. supplementary statements individuals from participat- to run for AFSA Governing 2. All active duty candi- to the membership, AFSA ing in labor-management Board positions covered by dates accepting a nomina- will make its membership issues while serving on the these restrictions. tion must identify the posi- mailing list or address labels Governing Board. Please direct questions tion or positions they have available to the candidate The Foreign Service Act regarding this issue to Sha- filled for the past two years upon request and at their also imposes a two-year ron Papp, General Counsel, by completing the Nomina- expense. Further informa- “cooling-off period” both by email: [email protected]. tion Acceptance Form. All tion on this and other cam- before and after AFSA All other election-related active duty candidates not paign procedures is included service, which restricts queries should be addressed seeking a full-time AFSA in “Instructions to Candi- the movement of Foreign to the Committee on Elec- position (President, State dates,” mentioned above. Service employees between tions by email: election@ VP, USAID VP, FCS VP, FAS 3. Other Methods of certain positions on the afsa.org. VP) must also identify the Communication. Depart- AFSA Governing Board and In addition to the above, department/agency position ment of Labor requirements certain Washington-based due to AFSA efforts to they will be serving in begin- prohibit individuals from positions. educate Congress on issues ning on July 15, 2017, when using government resources • Pre-AFSA restrictions: related to Foreign Service the Governing Board takes (including government email Any individual who has conditions of employment, office. This information is accounts) to campaign for served: 1) in a management legislative proposals and necessary to ensure compli- AFSA positions. Candidates position in Washington in other issues directly impact- ance with section 1017(e) of will be able to participate which he or she has engaged ing the Foreign Service, the Foreign Service Act. in the online AFSA Com- in labor-management rela- employees serving in con- 3. All candidates accept- munity Open Forum from tions or the formulation gressional fellowships may ing a nomination must their personal computers/ of personnel policies and not serve on the AFSA Gov- be members of the con- devices during non-working programs; or 2) as a confi- erning Board. A conflict or stituency for which they are hours. This online forum dential employee to one of potential conflict of interest being nominated. However, will be open to all members these management officials exists between their position an active-duty member may for whom AFSA has a valid within two years prior to in AFSA and their official run to be a retiree represen- personal email address. taking office in AFSA, is duties. AFSA members serv- tative, if he or she will be precluded from participating ing as congressional fellows retired on July 15.

54 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

A More In-Depth Look at the New MSI Process

A State Department pay MSIs at the percentage The new system is estab- MSIs will be divided cable, released on Dec. 7, negotiated with AFSA. lished as a pilot program between officers and spe- announced the new process We successfully included with the department and cialists at roughly the same for awarding Meritorious a provision in the new MSI AFSA working together to ratio found within the For- Service Increase(s). system stating that, in the make improvements to the eign Service. For the most The three-year pilot event of a severe budget system and fix any unin- part, specialists will review program is the result of crisis, the department must tended negative conse- specialist nominations and formal negotiations initiated come back to AFSA and quences. officers will review officer by the State Department renegotiate any proposed This provision was nominations. with AFSA, during which we decrease in the percentage important to AFSA leader- People temporarily considered the feedback of awards. ship because we recognize removed for low-rankings many members submitted If AFSA and the depart- that any wholesale change and/or discipline cases will in September. ment cannot agree on a new to a system affecting the be allowed to receive ret- In addition to the details percentage for that specific entire Foreign Service will roactive MSIs if their cases outlined in the cable, we’d year, then the matter will assuredly present a range of are successfully overturned, like to highlight for our be resolved by the Foreign challenges, not all of which even years down the road. members a few successes Service Impasse Disputes we can possibly anticipate. If you are interested from the negotiations: Panel. Throughout the negotia- in more comprehensive First and foremost, the Bidding privileges remain tions, one of AFSA’s goals details, we encourage you to department will no longer be intact for the top group of was to ensure the integrity read the new MSI Precepts able to claim that it has the employees who are recom- of the rank order process once they are published. n right to make unilateral deci- mended but not reached for used by the promotion —Angie Bryan, sions not to pay MSIs. The promotion. That guarantee boards. We are delighted to State Vice President precepts make crystal clear is now enshrined in the new report that we achieved this that the department must agreement. goal.

Call for Nominationst tative position in the mem- Vote Counting and results by the swiftest pos- Continued from page 54 ber’s constituency. Announcement of sible means and will publish Regular members may Results the names of all elected can- Voting cast their votes for candi- On or about June 8, 2017, didates in the next issue of Ballots will be distributed dates listed on the official the Elections Committee will The Foreign Service Journal. on or about April 17, 2017, ballot, or by writing in the oversee the ballot tabula- The elected candidates will to each individual who is a name(s) of member(s) eli- tion and declare elected take office on July 15, 2017, regular AFSA member as of gible as of March 17, 2017, or the candidate receiving the as per the bylaws. March 17, 2017. Candidates by doing both. To be valid, a greatest number of votes for The Committee on Elec- or their representatives may ballot must be received by 8 each position. Candidates or tions and supporting staff observe the ballot distribu- a.m. on June 8, 2017, either their representatives may be members may be reached at tion process if they so desire. (i) at the address indicated present during the tally and [email protected]. n Each member may cast one on the envelope accompany- may challenge the validity —The Committee on vote for president, secretary ing the ballot or (ii) by online of any vote or the eligibility Elections and treasurer, as well as one vote. More detailed balloting of any voter. The commit- vote for a constituency vice instructions will accompany tee will inform candidates president and each represen- the ballots. individually of the election

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 55 AFSA NEWS

Proposed Bylaw Amendments for 2017

Attention AFSA Members: tion), Section 1 of the AFSA committee, recognized as thereafter, and shall remain The Governing Board bylaws by adding the follow- such in the bylaws. The resident in the Washington is proposing three bylaw ing language: AFSA awards and plaques area throughout their term amendments to be voted on “(e) Awards and Plaques process requires sustained in office. Board members during the 2017 AFSA Elec- Committee: The board shall research, vetting and analy- who cease to be resident in tions. The proposed bylaw appoint and determine sis, all of which take place the Washington area during changes would: the terms of the chair and on a continuous timeline, their term shall submit their (1) Make the Awards members of the Awards and with recurring and firm resignations to the board.” and Plaques Committee a Plaques Committee who, deadlines. permanent standing com- under the overall guidance AFSA awards recognize Proposed Language: mittee; of the board, shall develop the important role of the “Participation: Board (2) Change the current criteria and make recom- Foreign Service and honor members shall participate residency requirement for mendations for awards and members of the Foreign Ser- via in-person attendance at serving on the AFSA Govern- honors.” vice community. Additional regularly scheduled meet- ing Board to a participation details on AFSA’s awards ings of the board within 60 requirement; and, Justification: and honors can be found days of taking office on July (3) Require that active- The Governing Board here: www.afsa.org/awards. 15 or appointment to office duty members presenting believes that AFSA should thereafter, and throughout themselves as candidates have a permanent Awards 2. Proposal to Change their term in office. Board for AFSA president or vice and Plaques Committee the Current Residency members who are unable president hold an active recognized in the bylaws as Requirement for Serving to participate via in-person security clearance. a standing committee. on the AFSA Governing attendance at regularly The changes would Under the current bylaws, Board to a Participation scheduled meetings of become effective immedi- the Awards and Plaques Requirement. the board, e.g., because of ately if approved by two- Committee is not a perma- At its Oct. 3, 2016, meet- transfer, shall submit their thirds of the valid votes nent standing committee. ing, the Governing Board resignations. received from members. Rather, the Awards and voted to propose to mem- Board members may be Plaques Committee has bership a bylaw amendment removed from office by a Explanation of operated as a “special com- to change the residency majority vote of the board Proposed Changes mittee” for more than 20 requirement for serving on after four absences in any years. Under Roberts Rules the AFSA board to a partici- 12-month period from regu- 1. Proposal to Make the of Order Newly Revised pation requirement. larly scheduled meetings of Awards and Plaques (which per the bylaws is The Governing Board the board.” Committee a Permanent the parliamentary author- recommends that members Standing Committee. ity of the association), the support the amendment Justification: At its Aug. 3, 2016, meet- committee is established of Article V (The Govern- As originally written, the ing, the AFSA Governing only for the duration of that ing Board) Section 8 of the bylaws recognize that mem- Board voted to propose to elected board. The commit- AFSA bylaws by replacing bers of the Foreign Service membership during the tee (along with AFSA staff) the current language with serve on a worldwide basis, election a bylaw amendment handles the annual AFSA the proposed language: and require that Governing to establish the Awards and Awards Ceremony and the Board members reside in Plaques Committee as a AFSA Memorial Plaques, Current Language: the Washington area. The permanent standing com- which are ongoing undertak- “Residency: Board mem- unintended consequence of mittee. The Governing Board ings of the association. The bers shall be resident in the this phrasing favors Govern- recommends that members AFSA awards and plaques Washington area within 60 ing Board members who support the amendment of program should be directed days of taking office on July reside in the Washington Article VI (Internal Organiza- by a permanent standing 15 or appointment to office area but do not necessar-

56 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

ily participate regularly in board meetings. The Governing Board believes it is more important for board members to partici- pate than to simply reside in the Washington area.

The intent of this change AFSA/JOSH is to follow best practices for boards and prevent cases in which elected board members do not take up their obligation to serve, 3. Proposal to Require board; active-duty members tions on the board. regardless of where they that Active-Duty Members presenting themselves as reside. This change ties Presenting Themselves as candidates for president or Procedures participation to one of the Candidates for AFSA Presi- constituency vice president The complete bylaw most important activities dent or Vice President must hold an active security amendment procedure of the board, the monthly Hold a Security Clearance. clearance.” can be found in Article IX board meeting required by At its Oct. 3, 2016, meet- of the AFSA bylaws, which the bylaws. At these meet- ing, the Governing Board Justification: are available online at www. ings board members vote voted to propose to mem- The intent of this bylaw afsa.org/bylaws. The AFSA on what actions AFSA will bership a bylaw amendment change is to strengthen Committee on Elections is take, and it is important for to add a security clearance AFSA by preventing a responsible for conducting board members to be fully requirement for an active- potential conflict of interest the polling on amendments. engaged and participating. duty individual presenting that could arise when an The process of amending There is no intention to use themselves as a candidate active-duty AFSA president the AFSA bylaws requires AFSA funds to pay for the for AFSA President or AFSA or one of the constituency notification to the AFSA travel of board members to Vice President. vice presidents—the main membership, with a 45-day attend board meetings from The Governing Board AFSA officers who negotiate period for submission of afar. recommends that members with management—does not statements in opposition. This bylaw change support the amendment of have a valid security clear- Statements opposing increases the pool of eligible Article VII (Elections) Sec- ance. The potential conflict the proposed bylaw amend- candidates for serving on tion 1 of the AFSA bylaws by of interest arises because ments require signatures the Governing Board. In adding “active-duty mem- the AFSA officer is reliant on from no fewer than 10 AFSA the case that a vacancy is bers presenting themselves management to approve his members in good standing created, the respective Sec- as candidates for president or her appeal to reinstate and must be received within tion 6 of the bylaws man- or constituency vice presi- the security clearance. The 45 calendar days of publica- dates that the board fill the dent must hold an active proposed bylaw change tion of this article. vacancy by appointment, so security clearance.” applies only to active-duty Statements or questions long as the vacancy is filled The revised section members and only to the may be sent to: Chair, AFSA from the respective constit- would read as follows: AFSA president and vice Committee on Elections, uency. These appointments “Candidates: All regular president positions. The 2101 E Street NW, Wash- are a regular occurrence and members of the associa- requirement for a security ington DC 20037, by fax to most often happen when tion in good standing are clearance does not apply (202) 338-6820, or by email board members are trans- eligible to be candidates to active-duty members to [email protected]. n ferred overseas. for the officer or repre- presenting themselves as sentative positions on the candidates for other posi-

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 57 AFSA NEWS

AFSA Welcomes New AFSA Governing BBG Representative Board Meeting, AFSA is pleased to wel- November 2, 2016 come Steve Herman as the new Broadcasting Board of Governors representative on the Governing Board, Consent Agenda: The Governing Board approved confirmed at the Nov. 2 the consent agenda items, which were: (1)approval meeting. of the Oct. 5 Governing Board meeting minutes; (2) Mr. Herman is the senior acceptance of Jeff Cochrane’s resignation as USAID diplomatic correspondent representative; (3) appointment of Ann Posner as for the Voice of America and

USAID representative; (4) appointment of Steve has been a VOA bureau chief DORMAN AFSA/SHAWN Steve Herman. Herman as BBG representative; (5) appointment of in India, Korea and Thailand. Ann Posner and Haven Hubbard-Cruz to the USAID He previously served as president of the Foreign Correspon- Standing Committee; and, (6) acceptance of Tracy dents’ Club of Japan and is currently an elected governor on Whittington’s resignation from the Editorial Board the board of the Overseas Press Club of America. n and Todd Andrews’ resignation from the Awards and Plaques Committee.

Dissent Guidance: Retiree Vice President Ambas- REMINDER – 2017 HIGH sador Tom Boyatt presented guidance on dissent SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST award criteria (“What Is Dissent?”) to the board for The American Foreign Service Association’s approval. With no objection, the requested guidance National High School Essay Contest has begun! was approved and will be provided to the Awards The contest winner will receive $2,500, a trip and Plaques Committee to assist them in selecting to Washington, D.C., to meet the Secretary of recipients for AFSA’s unique dissent awards. State and full tuition for a Semester at Sea edu- NEWS BRIEF cational voyage. The runner-up receives $1,250 FS Grievance Board: On behalf of the Executive and full tuition for the National Student Leader- Committee, Amb. Boyatt moved that the Govern- ship Conference’s International Diplomacy sum- ing Board approve the nomination of David Clark as mer program. a presiding member of the FSGB. The motion was AFSA welcomes the continuing support of our approved. fantastic contest partners: The United States Institute of Peace, Semester at Sea, and the 2017 Budget: On behalf of the Finance, Audit and National Student Leadership Conference. Management Committee, AFSA Treasurer Ambas- Eligibility for AFSA’s 2017 National High sador Charles Ford moved that the board adopt School Essay Contest is limited to high school the proposed budget for 2017. The motion passed students of U.S. citizenship, in grades 9-12, unanimously. On behalf of the FAM Committee, Amb. whose parents are not members of the Foreign Ford also moved that membership dues be increased Service. by 1.5 percent in 2017. The motion was approved The deadline for entries is March 15, 2017. unanimously. n Full details of the contest, including this year’s essay topic, are available from the AFSA website: www.afsa.org/essay. n

58 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

The Foreign Service Networks at AFSA

On Nov. 17, AFSA welcomed more than 60 members and guests to a networking happy hour at its 21st Street head- quarters. Hosted by AFSA Secretary Bill Haugh, the happy hour was a great opportunity for AFSA members to meet and socialize, as well as for nonmembers to learn about AFSA’s role in promoting the message of the Foreign Steve Herman. Service.

Many AFSA representa- DVORAK AFSA/GEMMA AFSA Secretary Bill Haugh (back to camera) welcomes tives and staff were available attendees to a happy hour at AFSA headquarters. at the happy hour to answer Inset: AFSA State Representative Jason Donovan questions and provide infor- speaks with Rob Joswiak, an incoming member of the Foreign Service. mation about the associa- tion. AFSA is planning more announcements to receive happy hours in the near news on upcoming events n future: Sign up for AFSANet (www.afsa.org/afsanet.) DVORAK AFSA/GEMMA

Elections Committee Thanks Amb. Farrand for Leadership

AFSA extends its sincere gratitude to Ambassador (ret.) Bill Farrand (right) for his steady leadership of AFSA’s Elections Committee during the last four years. At his final committee meeting on Oct. 27, Amb. Farrand was presented with a certificate of thanks for his work by Executive Director Ian Houston (center) and Elections Committee mem- ber Mary Ellen Gilroy. n AFSA/JANET HEDRICK AFSA/JANET

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 59 AFSA NEWS

AFSA Applauds JSP Graduates AFSA/GEMMA DVORAK AFSA/GEMMA AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson (eighth from right) with Job Search Program graduates on Oct. 28.

On Oct. 28, AFSA Presi- lifelong networking opportu- egy to “take the story of the If you join or establish a dent Ambassador Barbara nities offered by the associa- Foreign Service out beyond retiree group, please contact Stephenson congratulated tion—and reminded them the Beltway.” She noted that AFSA ([email protected]) graduates of the State that switching from active- AFSA can provide talking and let us know about your Department’s Job Search duty to retiree status is not points and resources for outreach efforts and activi- Program. Amb. Stephenson an automatic process. retirees and active service ties. n encouraged JSP participants She also urged program members who speak at high to rejoin AFSA as retiree graduates to engage with schools, colleges and social members to continue the AFSA’s new 50-state strat- groups.

LAST CALL FOR AFSA COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS!

The children of active-duty or retired, separated or deceased AFSA members can apply for college aid. Graduating high school seniors can apply for $2,500 academic and art merit awards along with a community service award, while incoming/current under- graduates can apply for need-based financial aid scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $5,000. The merit award program submission deadline is Feb. 6, and the need-based financial aid scholarship submission deadline is March 6. Not all who submit an application will receive an award. ANNOUNCEMENT Visit www.afsa.org/scholar for details, or contact AFSA Scholarship Director Lori Dec at [email protected] or (202) 944-5504. n AFSA/JOSH

60 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

Congress Passes FY17 State Authorization Bill

On Dec. 10, the Senate critical role the Foreign AFSA continues to track a AFSA stands firm in its passed the FY17 Depart- Service plays in that effort. number of issues, including conviction that any con- ment of State Authorities At the same time, we made the Overseas Development sideration of legislation Act by unanimous consent. concerted efforts to walk Program, lateral entry into that would affect or alter This marks the first time back and/or improve certain the Foreign Service and the integrity of the current Congress has sent a State sections that we and a vast suspension of duties for Foreign Service personnel Department authorization majority of our members members with suspended system be done through a bill to the White House in 14 deemed harmful to the security clearances. transparent, orderly and years. career Foreign Service. One of AFSA’s highest deliberative process that In meetings on the autho- While there are some priorities in the coming year includes ample time for con- rization bill with numerous items that we would have is for the new Congress to sultation with key stakehold- legislators throughout the preferred to have more time recognize that protecting ers. We are grateful for the year, AFSA was encouraged and a better process to work American interests abroad many allies on Capitol Hill to find robust support on out with the new Congress, requires preserving, protect- who agree that this is the both sides of the aisle for the State Authorities Act ing and investing in one of best way to ensure a strong maintaining strong Ameri- contains positive provisions the primary pillars of our and effective U.S. diplomacy can global leadership and that make the Foreign Ser- national security—the U.S. on behalf of the American an appreciation for the vice stronger. Foreign Service. people. n

DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR DISSENT AND PERFORMANCE NOMINATIONS

It’s your last chance to nominate someone for a 2017 The Nelson B. Delavan Award recognizes the work AFSA Constructive Dissent or Exemplary Performance of a Foreign Service office management specialist. Award. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 28, 2017. The M. Juanita Guess Award is conferred on a AFSA proudly recognizes constructive dissent community liaison office coordinator who has demon- within the system with four separate awards: The strated outstanding leadership. W. Averell Harriman Award is for entry-level (FS-6 The Avis Bohlen Award honors the volunteer ANNOUNCEMENT through FS-4) officers; the William R. Rivkin Award is accomplishments of a family member of a Foreign for mid-level (FS-3 through FS-1) officers; the Christian Service employee at post. A. Herter Award is for Senior Foreign Service officers; The Mark Palmer Award is open to members of the and the F. Allen “Tex” Harris Award is for Foreign Foreign Service from any of the foreign affairs agencies, Service specialists. especially entry and mid-level personnel, who promote Recipients receive prize money and travel expenses American policies that advance democracy, freedom to be honored at the June ceremony in the Benjamin and governance through bold, exemplary, imaginative Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room at the State and effective efforts during one or more assignments. Department. More information about each of these The Post Rep of the Year Award honors a post rep- awards is available from the AFSA website, www.afsa. resentative who best demonstrates sustained and suc- org/dissent. cessful engagement with AFSA membership at post. AFSA is also accepting nominations for its five For details on all of the above awards and to file a awards recognizing exemplary performance until the nomination online, go to www.afsa.org/awards. Contact Feb. 28 deadline. We urge members to nominate some- Coordinator Perri Green at [email protected] or (202) one whose contribution has made a difference. 719-9700 for more information. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 61 AFSA NEWS

2016 Federal and State Tax Provisions for the Foreign Service

The American Foreign Service Association’s annual Tax Guide is designed as an informational tool. Although this update accurately summarizes the law, it is merely a starting point. The language of the actual tax provisions is always more tech- nical than what follows here. AFSA recommends that you use this guide with caution and consult a tax adviser with specific questions, as the IRS may impose penalties for understating tax liabilities (please see the Circular 230 notice at the end of this article). Gross income is the starting point for figuring state and federal income tax. It includes “all income from whatever source derived.” Adjustments to gross income, deductions Personal Exemption: and tax credits are matters of legislative grace. Congress For each taxpayer, spouse and each dependent, the per- passes, the IRS applies and the courts scrutinize the law and sonal exemption is $4,050. A personal exemption phase-out its application. The result is federal tax law. State legislatures is in place for 2016. Unmarried taxpayers who earn more may adopt the federal system or deviate from federal law, than $259,400 individually ($285,350 head of household, sometimes requiring residents to add back amounts for a $311,300 married filing jointly) should contact a tax profes- higher taxable state income. Consequently, no tax benefit sional to calculate the amount by which their personal exemp- should be claimed without knowing state and federal law. tion must be reduced. This update begins with federal tax law, headlined by the 2016 tax brackets and rates. From there the personal exemp- Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: tion, foreign earned income exclusion, extension for taxpay- Americans living and working overseas may be eligible for this ers abroad, and standard and itemized deduction rules are exclusion, but not if they are employees of the U.S. govern- presented. Special attention is devoted to the topics Foreign ment. The first $101,300 earned overseas as an employee or Service employees most frequently ask AFSA about: moving, self-employed may be exempt from income taxes. interest, home leave and official residence expenses; home To receive this exclusion the taxpayer must: ownership and sale of a principal residence. (1) Establish a tax home in a foreign country, which is This update concludes with each state’s domicile rules. the general area of the taxpayer’s “main place of business, James Yorke (YorkeJ@state. gov), who compiles the tax guide, employment or post of duty.” In other words, where the tax- would like to thank Sam Schmitt of the EFM Law Company for payer is “permanently or indefinitely engaged to work as an preparing the section on federal tax provisions. employee or self-employed individual”; and, (2) Either (a) Meet the “bona-fide residence” test, which 2016 FEDERAL TAX PROVISONS requires that the taxpayer has been a bona-fide resident of The table on page 63 summarizes the marginal income and a foreign country for an uninterrupted period that includes corresponding capital gains tax brackets. an entire tax year OR (b) Meet the “physical presence” test, which requires the taxpayer to be present in a foreign country for at least 330 full (midnight-to-midnight) days during any PLEASE NOTE 12-month period (the period may be different from the tax This guidance applies to the 2016 tax year, for returns year). due on April 18, 2017. While correct at time of publication, Note: The method for calculating the tax on non-excluded bear in mind there may be changes to the tax code for the income in tax returns that include both excluded and non- 2017 tax year. At present, we are not aware of any possible excluded income was changed, beginning in 2006, resulting in changes that are likely to apply to 2016 returns. higher tax on the non-excluded portion. (See the box on page 64 for a full explanation.)

62 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Extension for Taxpayers Abroad: Taxpayers whose tax home is outside the United States on April 18, 2016, are entitled to an automatic extension until June 15 to file their returns. When filing the return, these taxpayers should write “Taxpayer Abroad” at the top of the first page and attach a statement of explana- tion. There are no late-filing or late-payment penalties for returns filed and taxes * Marginal rates apply to income in excess of each of the prior tax brackets. paid by June 15, but the IRS ** Income thresholds for those married filing separately are half of those who are married filing jointly. does charge interest on any Same-sex couples who were married in or after tax year 2013, in a state where it is legal, must file their federal tax amount owed from April 18 return as either married filing jointly or married filing separately, not individually. *** Refers to long-term capital gains—gains from the sale of property held for greater than 12 months. until the date it receives pay- ment.

Standard Deduction: Medical and Dental Expenses: Taxpayers who do not itemize are entitled to take a standard Taxpayers who itemize can deduct medical expenses to the deduction in the following amounts: extent they exceed 10 percent of AGI (including health and 2016 Standard Deduction long-term care insurance, but not health insurance premiums Individual $6,300 deducted from government salaries). If the taxpayer is over Married Filing Jointly $12,600 65, the threshold at which this deduction can be claimed Head of Household $9,300 remains at 7.5 percent until Jan. 1, 2017, after which, the An additional amount is allowed for taxpayers over age 65 and threshold increases to 10 percent for all taxpayers. for those who are blind. Unreimbursed Moving Expenses: Itemized Deductions: Taxpayers who itemize and those who claim the standard Taxpayers who itemize cannot claim the standard deduc- deduction may claim unreimbursed moving expenses as tion. However, itemizers gain the benefit of specific deduc- an adjustment to income. Unreimbursed moving expenses tions, including the deduction for unreimbursed employee include the cost of transportation, storage and travel costs expenses on 1040 Schedule A. These are deductible to the of moving the taxpayer, possessions (including pets) and the extent they exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI). taxpayer’s family. The cost of meals during the move does not Some examples of unreimbursed employee expenses include qualify. Other adjustments itemizers and non-itemizers may professional dues and subscriptions to publications; employ- claim include contributions to pre-tax IRAs, alimony pay- ment and continuing education expenses; home office, legal, ments, bad debt, student loan interest, tuition and fees and accounting, custodial and tax preparation fees; home leave, educator expenses. Each may be subject to its own limits. representational and other employee business expenses. In 2016, the IRS will phase out itemized deductions a Deductible Taxes: taxpayer is allowed at certain income thresholds. Unmar- There are only four kinds of deductible non-business taxes: ried individuals earning more than $155,650 individually (1) State, local and foreign income taxes; (2) State and local ($259,400 head of household, $311,300 married filing general sales taxes; (3) State, local and foreign real estate jointly) should contact a tax professional to calculate the taxes; and (4) State and local personal property taxes. The limits on their itemized deductions. taxpayer must itemize (using 1040 Schedule A) and must have been charged and actually paid the taxes to be entitled to these deductions.

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Charitable Contributions: deductions and claimed on Form 2106, subject to a 2 percent Only contributions to “qualified organizations” may be floor and a 50-percent limit for meals and entertainment. All deducted, and then only to the extent the tax code permits. unreimbursed travel and lodging exceeding 2-percent of AGI For example, the AFSA Fund for American Diplomacy qualifies may be deducted here. However, only the employee’s (not family as a public charity. Contributions to it, and any public charity, members’) home leave expenses are deductible. AFSA recom- can be deducted; but a taxpayer’s deduction for charitable mends maintaining a travel log and retaining a copy of home contributions is limited to 50 percent of AGI. The IRS provides leave orders, which will help if the IRS ever questions claimed an “Exempt Organizations” online check tool to determine expenses. It is important to save receipts, because without whether a charity qualifies. Payments to individuals are never receipts for food, a taxpayer may deduct only the federal meals- deductible. A taxpayer must itemize to claim this deduction. and-incidentals per diem rate at the home leave address—no matter how large the actual bill is. Lodging is deductible as long Interest Expenses: as it is not with friends, relatives or in one’s home. Itemizers may deduct interest (Schedule A) on investments The IRS will deny per diem and expenses claimed for family (to the extent of income from those investments) and quali- members. If a hotel bill indicates double rates, the single room fied mortgage interest (discussed below). Business loan rate should be claimed. Taxpayers should save the hotel’s rate interest and interest incurred to produce rents or royalties are sheet, if possible. Car rental, mileage and other unreimbursed other forms of deductible interest (limits may apply). Inter- travel expenses, including parking fees and tolls, may be est on loans that do not fall into the above categories, even deducted. The 2016 rate for business miles driven has dropped money borrowed to buy tax-exempt securities, is not deduct- to 54 cents. Those who use this optional mileage method need ible. However, non-deductible debts can be consolidated and not keep detailed records of actual vehicle expenses. They must, paid with deductible home equity loan interest (discussed however, keep a detailed odometer log to justify the business below). Passive investment interest on investments in which use of the vehicle and track the percentage of business use. This the taxpayer is an inactive participant can be deducted only optional mileage method also applies to leased vehicles. from the income produced by passive activities. Official Residence Expenses: Home Leave and Unreimbursed ORE reimbursements defray the “unusual” expenses from the Representational Expenses: operation of an official residence while extending official hospi- These generally qualify as unreimbursed employee business tality, receiving foreign dignitaries and holding official ceremo- expenses. They may be deducted as miscellaneous itemized nies. Conversely, a principal representative is expected to bear

FOREIGN EARNED INCOME EXEMPTION DENIALS Some AFSA members report having difficulty claiming the foreign earned income exemption (FEIE). To receive this exemp- tion, the taxpayer must meet one of two tests: 1) The physical presence test requires that the taxpayer be present in a foreign country for at least 330 full (midnight to midnight) days during any 12-month period (the period may be different from the tax year); or 2) The bona fide residence test requires that the taxpayer has been a bona fide resident of a foreign country for an unin- terrupted period that includes an entire tax year. We understand that IRS auditors have been denying the FEIE for Foreign Service spouses and dependents under the bona fide residence test, on the grounds that diplomatic status overseas does not constitute “bona fide residence” in a foreign country. In this context, note that if you work for a company or organization on the local economy you generally have to pay local taxes, and your “tax home” is technically in the foreign country. You will have relinquished your diplomatic status in any matters related to your job, although of course for matters outside your job you would retain the diplomatic status that you derive from your FS employee spouse or parent. However, members report that they have successfully used the physical presence test. They have also used this in appealing a denial of the bona fide residence test. This test requires that you spend 330 full days during a calendar year actually in a foreign country, not just outside the United States. Time spent traveling to and from a country does not count. If using this test, you are advised to record all your travel carefully and to keep copies of visas and tickets, so that you can substantiate the 330 days in case of an audit.

64 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL the burden of “usual” household expenses of 3.5 percent of their salary (see 3 FAM 3253.1). None of the 3.5 percent of “usual” IMPORTANT NOTE: household expenses is deductible because it is “payment for FOREIGN EARNED INCOME ordinary, everyday living expenses, and is not excludable from The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion allows U.S. citizens gross income” (see Revenue Ruling 90-64). These expenses who are not United States government employees and are cannot be deducted as miscellaneous business expenses living outside the United States to exclude up to $101,300 because they are personal expenses. Official expenses for which of their 2016 foreign-source income if they meet certain any State Department employee is not reimbursed are deduct- requirements. Since 2006, you have been required to take ible as unreimbursed employee expenses. your total income and figure what your tax would be, then deduct the tax that you would have paid on the excludable Home Ownership: income. Home ownership may trigger many tax benefits including: (1) The mortgage interest deduction; (2) Deduction of points to For example: A Foreign Service employee earns $80,000 obtain a home mortgage; (3) Business use of a home; and (4) and their teacher spouse earns $30,000. Selling a home. (1) Mortgage Interest Deduction: The interest expense of Before 2006: Tax on $110,000 minus $30,000 = tax on up to $1 million of acquisition debt ($500,000 for individual $80,000 = tax bill of $13,121. filers) and up to $100,000 home equity debt ($50,000 individu- Since 2006: Tax on $110,000 = $20,615; tax on $30,000 ally) for loans secured by a primary or secondary residence = $3,749; total tax = $20,615 minus $3,749 = tax bill of may qualify for a deduction. The properties for which a taxpayer $16,866. would like to take this deduction must qualify as a home or a secondary residence. “Home” is the place where a taxpayer ordi- homes to investment property (perhaps because they have narily lives most of the time. A secondary residence is a property inadvertently used it exclusively for business purposes for too the taxpayer does not rent out (or attempt to sell) during the long) may no longer qualify for the exclusion of up to $500,000 year. Note that the structure claimed as a home or secondary of capital gain on the sale of a principal residence (discussed residence may be a house, condominium, cooperative, mobile below). However, the property may become eligible for an IRC home, house trailer, boat or similar property that has sleeping, Section 1031 exchange. This tax provision is normally invoked by cooking and toilet facilities. businesses exchanging like-kind, income-producing property. (2) Points on a Mortgage: Taxpayers who claim the above The IRS rules for these exchanges are complex and specific, deduction may also qualify to currently deduct all the points with a number of pitfalls that can nullify the transaction. A 1031 paid to obtain that mortgage. Nine requirements must be met exchange should never be attempted without assistance from a to deduct those points. Taxpayers should contact a tax profes- tax professional specializing in this field. sional to see if they qualify and explore the possibility of partially (4) Selling a Principal Residence: deducting these points. Save the settlement sheet (HUD-1 (4)(a) A taxpayer may exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 Form) for documentation in case of an audit. for married filing jointly) of long-term capital gain from the sale (3) Business Use of Home, Including as a Rental: Taxpay- of a principal residence. To qualify for the full exclusion amount, ers may be entitled to deductions for the business use of part of the taxpayer: (i) must have owned the home and lived there for a home. at least two of the last five years before the date of the sale (but (3)(a) Rental: When income is earned by renting out the home, deductions the taxpayer claims for mortgage interest remain deductible; however, they become an expense for the CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT WHEN OVERSEAS production of rental income instead of a personal deduction Bear in mind that in order to claim the child care tax credit under the mortgage interest expense provisions (Schedule E while serving overseas, you must submit IRS Form 2441, for rather than Schedule A). Depreciation, repair costs and operat- which the instructions say: “For U.S. citizens and resident ing expenses such as fees charged by independent contractors aliens living abroad, your care provider may not have, and (e.g., groundskeepers, accountants, attorneys) are deductible. may not be required to get, a U.S. taxpayer identification Limits apply to these deductions when the taxpayer uses their number (for example, an SSN or EIN). If so, enter “LAFCP” property for the greater of 14 days or 10 percent of the total (Living Abroad Foreign Care Provider) in the space for the days it is rented to others at a fair rental price. care provider’s taxpayer identification number.” (3)(b) The 1031 Exchange: Taxpayers who convert their

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see Military Families Relief Act below); (ii) cannot have acquired a contractor, architect’s fees, building permit charges, utility the home in a 1031 exchange within the five years before the meter charges and legal fees directly connected with building date of the sale; and (iii) cannot have claimed this exclusion the house. during the two years before the date of the sale. An exclusion of (ii) Improving a Home During Ownership: During the owner- gain for a fraction of these upper limits may be possible if one ship period, improvements to the home including additions or more of the above requirements are not met. A taxpayer who (bedrooms, bathrooms, decks), lawn and grounds improve- sells their principal residence for a profit of more than $250,000 ments (landscaping, paving a driveway), improvements to the ($500,000 married filing jointly), or a reduced amount, will owe exterior (storm windows, new roof, siding), insulation, plumbing, capital gains tax on the excess. interior improvements (built-in appliances, kitchen modifica- (4)(b) Military Families Tax Relief Act of 2003: The five- tions, flooring) and investments in the home systems (heating, year period described above may be suspended for members central air, furnace) may all be added to adjust the basis of the of the Foreign Service by any 10-year period during which the home upward. taxpayer has been away from the area on a Foreign Service (iii) Preparing to Sell: “Fixing-up costs” no longer exist insofar assignment, up to a maximum of 15 total years. Failure to meet as they refer to what was once recognized as a 1034 exchange all of the requirements for this tax benefit (points (i) through of a residence. Capital expenditures continue to operate as (iii) in the Selling a Principal Residence section above) does not described above when a taxpayer is preparing to sell a home. necessarily disqualify the taxpayer from claiming the exclusion. Any capital improvements when preparing to sell should simply However, the services of a tax professional will probably be be added to the adjusted basis and subtracted from the sales necessary if one of these requirements is not met. price to reduce net capital gain when the home is sold. (4)(c) Adjustments to the Basis of a Home: (iv) Selling: Selling expenses can be subtracted from the (i) Buying or Building a Home: Some investments in the con- sales price, further reducing the taxable gain. These include fees struction of a home, purchase of a home, improvements during for sales commissions, any service that helped the taxpayer sell ownership and improvements in preparation to sell must be the home without a broker, advertising, legal help, and mortgage added to the basis of the home. The starting point is the amount points or other loan charges the seller pays that would normally paid to acquire the property: cost basis. Some settlement fees have been the buyer’s responsibility. and closing costs may be added to the cost basis (yielding the adjusted basis). These include abstract of title fees, charges Circular 230 Notice: for installing utility services, legal fees for the title search and Pursuant to U.S. Treasury Department Regulations, all state preparing the sales contract and deed, recording fees, survey and federal tax advice herein is not intended or written to be fees, transfer or stamp taxes and title insurance. A taxpayer used, and may not be used, for the purposes of avoiding tax- who builds a home may add the cost of the land and the cost to related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or promoting, complete the house to arrive at an initial cost basis. Construc- marketing or recommending advice on any tax-related matters tion includes the cost of labor and materials, amounts paid to addressed herein. n

TAX WITHHOLDING WHEN ASSIGNED DOMESTICALLY In 2014, the State Department instituted new procedures to comply with Treasury regulations for withholding state taxes for all employees serving domestically. (See Department Notice 2014_11_016, dated Nov. 3, 2014.) This means state taxes will be withheld for an employee’s “regular place of duty”—in other words, your official duty station. If you require state taxes to be withheld for a state other than that of your official duty station, your bureau executive director must provide a certification to the department’s Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services. This does not mean that you must relinquish your state of domicile if it is different than your official duty station. “Domi- cile” (legal residence) is different from “residence,” and so long as you maintain your ties to your home state you will be able to change your withholdings, if you so wish, back to your home state when you go overseas again. See the Overseas Briefing Center’s guide to Residence and Domicile, available on AFSA’s website at www.afsa.org/domicile. Bear in mind, too, that CGFS does not adjudicate state income tax elections when you are serving overseas, since in those circumstances it is the employee’s responsibility to accurately elect state income taxes. However, upon the employee’s return to a domestic assignment, CGFS will evaluate the employee’s state tax withholding election based on his or her new official domestic duty station.

66 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL that state if appropriate—so that when you leave the D.C. area STATE TAX PROVISIONS for another overseas assignment, you can demonstrate to the Liability: Every employer, including the State Department District of Columbia, Virginia or Maryland your affiliation to and the other foreign affairs agencies, is required to withhold your home state. state taxes for the location where the employee either lives or Also, if possible, avoid using the D.C. or Dulles VA pouch zip works. Employees serving overseas, however, must maintain code as your return address on your federal return because, in a state of domicile in the United States where they may be some cases, the D.C. and Virginia tax authorities have sought liable for income tax; the consequent tax liability that the back taxes from those who have used this address. employee faces will vary greatly from state to state. See box on page 66 for new procedures within the State Further, the many laws on taxability of Foreign Service pen- Department for state tax withholdings. sions and annuities also vary by state. This section briefly covers both those situations. (See separate box on Tax With- States That Have No Income Tax holding When Assigned Domestically.) There are currently seven states with no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Domicile and Residency Wyoming. In addition, New Hampshire and Tennessee have There are many criteria used in determining which state is a citi- no tax on earned income, but do tax profits from the sale of zen’s domicile. One of the strongest determinants is prolonged bonds and property. physical presence, a standard that Foreign Service personnel fre- quently cannot meet due to overseas service. In such cases, the States That Do Not Tax Non-Resident states will make a determination of the individual’s income-tax Domiciliaries status based on other factors, including where the individual has There are 10 states that, under certain conditions, do not tax family ties, has been filing resident tax returns, is registered to income earned while the taxpayer is outside the state: Cali- vote, has a driver’s license, owns property, or has bank accounts fornia, Connecticut, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, or other financial holdings. New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania (but see entry for Pennsylva- In the case of Foreign Service employees, the domicile nia below) and West Virginia. The requirements for all except might be the state from which the person joined the Service, California, Idaho and Oregon are that the individual should not where his or her home leave address is or where he or she have a permanent “place of abode” in the state, should have intends to return upon separation. For purposes of this article, a permanent “place of abode” outside the state, and not be the term “domicile” refers to legal residence; some states also physically present for more than 30 days during the tax year. define it as permanent residence. “Residence” refers to physi- California allows up to 45 days in the state during a tax year. cal presence in the state. Foreign Service personnel must con- All 10 states require the filing of non-resident returns for all tinue to pay taxes to the state of domicile (or to the District of income earned from in-state sources. Foreign Service employ- Columbia) while residing outside of the state, including during ees should also keep in mind that states could challenge the assignments abroad, unless the state of residence does not status of overseas government housing in the future. require it. In “State Overviews” you will find brief state-by-state Members are encouraged to review the Overseas Briefing information on tax liability, with addresses provided to get Center’s Guide to Residence and Domicile, available on AFSA’s further information or tax forms. Tax rates are provided where website at www.afsa.org/domicile. possible. As always, members are advised to double-check with their Domestic Employees in the D.C. Area state’s tax authorities. While AFSA makes every attempt to Foreign Service employees residing in the metropolitan Wash- provide the most up-to-date information, readers with specific ington, D.C., area are generally required to pay income tax to questions should consult a tax expert in the state in question. the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia, in addition to We provide the website address for each in the state-by-state paying tax to the state of their domicile. guide, and an email address or link where available. Some Virginia requires tax returns from most temporary resi- states do not offer email customer service. dents, as well. Most states allow a credit, however, so that the We also recommend the Tax Foundation website at www. taxpayer pays the higher tax rate of the two states, with each taxfoundation.org, which also provides a table showing 2016 state receiving a share. tax rates for all states. We recommend that you maintain ties with your state of domicile—by, for instance, continuing to also file tax returns in

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Phone: (501) 682-1100. STATE OVERVIEWS Website: www.arkansas.gov/dfa ALABAMA Email: Use Contact Form on “Contact Us” page of the website. Individuals domiciled in Alabama are considered residents and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of CALIFORNIA their physical presence in the state. Alabama’s individual Foreign Service employees domiciled in California must income tax rates range from 2 percent on taxable income over establish non-residency to avoid liability for California taxes $500 for single taxpayers and $1,000 for married filing jointly (see Franchise Tax Board Publication 1031). However, a “safe to 5 percent over $3,000 for single taxpayers and $6,000 for harbor” provision allows anyone who is domiciled in state but married filing jointly. is out of the state on an employment-related contract for at Write: Alabama Department of Revenue, 50 N. Ripley, least 546 consecutive days to be considered a non-resident. Montgomery AL 36104. This applies to most FS employees and their spouses, but Phone: (334) 242-1170. members domiciled in California are advised to study FTB Website: www.ador.state.al.us Publication 1031 for exceptions and exemptions. The Califor- Email: Link through the website: “About Us” then “Contacts,” nia tax rate for 2016 ranges in eight brackets from 1 percent of then “Income Tax.” taxable income under $7,850 for singles and $15,770 for joint filers to a maximum of 12.3 percent on taxable income over ALASKA $526,443 for singles and $1,052,886 for joint filers. Non-resi- Alaska does not tax individual income or intangible or per- dent domiciliaries are advised to file on Form 540NR. sonal property. It has no state sales and use, franchise or fidu- Write: Personal Income Taxes, Franchise Tax Board, ciary tax. However, some municipalities levy sales, property P.O. Box 942840, Sacramento CA 94240-0040. and use taxes. Phone: toll-free 1 (800) 852-5711 (inside the U.S.); Write: State Office Building, 333 West Willoughby Ave., 11th (916) 845-6500 (outside the U.S.). Floor, P.O. Box 110420, Juneau AK 99811-0420. Website: www.ftb.ca.gov Phone: (907) 465-2320. Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab. Website: www.tax.state.ak.us COLORADO ARIZONA Individuals domiciled in Colorado are considered residents Individuals domiciled in Arizona are considered residents and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of and are taxed on any income that is included in the Federal their physical presence in the state. Colorado’s tax rate is Adjusted Gross Income, regardless of their physical presence a flat 4.63 percent of federal taxable income, plus or minus in the state. Arizona’s tax rate ranges in five brackets from allowable modifications. a minimum of 2.59 percent to a maximum of 4.54 percent Write: Department of Revenue, Taxpayer Service Division, of taxable income over $304,868 married filing jointly or P.O. Box 17087, Denver CO 80217-0087. $152,434 for single filers. Phone: (303) 238-7378. Write: Arizona Department of Revenue, Customer Care, Website: www.colorado.gov/revenue P.O. Box 29086, Phoenix AZ 85038-9086. Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab on the Phone: (602) 255-3381. “Taxation” page. Website: www.azdor.gov Email: For general questions, [email protected] CONNECTICUT Connecticut domiciliaries may qualify for non-resident tax ARKANSAS treatment under either of two exceptions as follows: Individuals domiciled in Arkansas are considered residents Group A—the domiciliary 1) did not maintain a permanent and are taxed on their entire income regardless of their physi- place of abode inside Connecticut for the entire tax year; and cal presence in the state. The Arkansas tax rate ranges in six 2) maintains a permanent place of abode outside the state for brackets from a minimum of 2.5 percent to a maximum of 6.9 the entire tax year; and 3) spends not more than 30 days in percent of net taxable income over $35,099. the aggregate in the state during the tax year. Write: Department of Finance and Administration, Income Tax Group B—the domiciliary 1) in any period of 548 consecu- Section, P.O. Box 3628, Little Rock AR 72203-3628. tive days, is present in a foreign country for at least 450 days; and 2) during the 548-day period, is not present in Connecti-

68 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL cut for more than 90 days; and 3) does not maintain a per- reside on the property. Sales and use tax is 6 percent. There manent place of abode in the state at which the domiciliary’s are additional county sales taxes which could make the com- spouse or minor children are present for more than 90 days. bined rate as high as 9.5 percent. Connecticut’s tax rate for married filing jointly rises from 3 Write: Taxpayer Services, Florida Department of Revenue, percent on the first $20,000 in six steps to 6.9 percent of the 5050 W. Tennessee St., Bldg. L, Tallahassee FL 32399-0100. excess over $500,000, and 6.99 percent over $1,000,000. For Phone: toll-free 1 (800) 352-3671. singles it is 3 percent on the first $10,000, rising in six steps Website: http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/taxes/ to 6.9 percent of the excess over $250,000 and 6.99 per cent Email: Link through the website, go to “Taxes,” over $500,000. then “Tax Information,” then “Questions?” Write: Department of Revenue Services, 450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 1, Hartford CT 06103. GEORGIA Phone: (860) 297-5962. Individuals domiciled in Georgia are considered residents and Website: www.ct.gov/drs are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of their Email: Contact through the “Contact us” page on the website. physical presence in the state. Georgia has a graduated tax rate rising in six steps to a maximum of 6 percent of taxable DELAWARE income over $10,000 and above for joint married filers and Individuals domiciled in Delaware are considered residents and $7,000 for single filers. are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of their Write: Georgia Department of Revenue, Taxpayer Services physical presence in the state. Delaware’s graduated tax rate Division, 1800 Century Blvd. NE, Atlanta GA 30345-3205. rises in six steps from 2.2 percent of taxable income under Phone: (877) 423-6711 Option #2, or contact through Georgia $5,000 to 6.6 percent of taxable income over $60,000. Tax Center (log in required). Write: Division of Revenue, Taxpayers Assistance Section, Website: http://dor.georgia.gov/taxes State Office Building, 820 N. French St., Wilmington DE 19801. Phone (302) 577-8200. HAWAII Website: www.revenue.delaware.gov Individuals domiciled in Hawaii are considered residents and Email: [email protected] are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of their physical presence in the state. Hawaii’s tax rate rises in 12 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA steps from 1.4 percent on taxable income below $2,400 for Individuals domiciled in the District of Columbia are consid- single filers and $4,800 for joint filers, to a maximum of 8.25 ered residents and are subject to tax on their entire income percent for taxable income above $48,000 for single filers regardless of their physical presence there. Individuals domi- and $96,000 for joint filers. ciled elsewhere are also considered residents for tax purposes Write: Oahu District Office, Taxpayer Services Branch, for the portion of any calendar year in which they are physi- P.O. Box 259, Honolulu HI 96809-0259. cally present in the District for 183 days or more. The District’s Phone: toll-free 1 (800) 222-3229, or (808) 587-4242. tax rate is 4 percent if income is less than $10,000; $400 plus Website: http://tax.hawaii.gov/ 6 percent of excess over $10,000 if between $10,000 and Email: [email protected] $40,000; $2,200 plus 6.5 percent of excess over $40,000; $3,500 plus 8.5 percent of the excess over $60,000; $28,150 IDAHO plus 8.75 percent of any excess above $350,000; and 8.95 Individuals domiciled in Idaho for an entire tax year are percent over $1,000,000. considered residents and are subject to tax on their entire Write: Office of Tax and Revenue, Customer Service Center, income. However, you are considered a non-resident if: 1) 1101 4th St. SW, Suite 270 West, Washington DC 20024. you are an Idaho resident who lived outside of Idaho for at Phone: (202) 727-4829. least 445 days in a 15-month period; and 2) after satisfying Website: www.otr.cfo.dc.gov/ the 15-month period, you spent fewer than 60 days in Idaho Email: [email protected] during the year; and 3) you did not have a personal residence in Idaho for yourself or your family during any part of the FLORIDA calendar year; and 4) you did not claim Idaho as your federal Florida does not impose personal income, inheritance, gift or tax home for deducting away-from-home expenses on your intangible personal property taxes. Property tax (homestead) federal return; and 5) you were not employed on the staff of a exemptions are only available if you own and permanently U.S. senator; and 6) you did not hold an elective or appointive

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office of the U.S. government other than the armed forces KANSAS or a career appointment in the U.S. Foreign Service (see Individuals domiciled in Kansas are considered residents and Idaho Code Sections 63-3013 and 63-3030). In 2016 Idaho’s are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of their tax rate rises in six steps from a minimum of 1.6 percent to physical presence in the state. In 2016 the Kansas tax rate a maximum of 7.4 percent on the amount of Idaho taxable is 2.7 percent on Kansas taxable income under $15,000 for income over $10,905 for singles and $21,810 for married fil- single filers and under $30,000 for joint filers and 4.6 percent ers. A non-resident must file an Idaho income tax return if his on income over those amounts. or her gross income from Idaho sources is $2,500 or more. Write: Kansas Taxpayer Assistance Center, Room 150, Write: Idaho State Tax Commission, P.O. Box 36, Boise ID 915 SW Harrison, Topeka KS 66612. 83722-0410. Phone: (785) 368-8222. Phone: Toll-free 1 (800) 972-7660 or (208) 334-7660. Website: www.ksrevenue.org Website: www.tax.idaho.gov Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] KENTUCKY ILLINOIS Individuals domiciled in Kentucky are considered residents Individuals domiciled in Illinois are considered residents and and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of their of their physical presence in the state. Kentucky’s tax rate physical presence in the state. The Illinois tax rate is a flat 3.75 ranges from 2 percent on the first $3,000 of taxable income to percent of net income. 6 percent on all taxable income over $75,000 for both single Write: Illinois Department of Revenue, PO Box 19001, and joint filers. Springfield IL 62794-9001. Write: Kentucky Department of Revenue, 501 High Street, Phone: toll-free (800) 732-8866, or (217) 782-3336. Frankfort KY 40601 Website: www.revenue.state.il.us Phone: (502) 564-4581. Email: Link through the website, “Contact Us,” Website: www.revenue.ky.gov then “Taxpayer Answer Center.” Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab.

INDIANA LOUISIANA Individuals domiciled in Indiana are considered residents and Individuals domiciled in Louisiana are considered residents are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of their and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of physical presence in the state. Indiana’s tax rate is a flat 3.3 their physical presence in the state. Louisiana’s tax rate percent of Federal Adjusted Gross Income. Several counties rises from 2 percent for the first $12,500 for single filers or also charge a county income tax. $25,000 for joint filers; 4 percent over $12,500 for singles and Write: Indiana Department of Revenue, Individual Income Tax, over $25,000 for joint filers, and 6 percent over $50,000 for P.O. Box 40, Indianapolis IN 46206-0040. single filers or $100,000 for joint filers. Phone: (317) 232-2240. Write: Taxpayer Services Division, Individual Income Tax Website: www.in.gov/dor Section, Louisiana Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 201, Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab. Baton Rouge LA 70821-0201. Phone: (855) 307-3893. IOWA Website: www.revenue.louisiana.gov Individuals domiciled in Iowa are considered residents and Email: Link through the website’s “Contact LDR Online tab” on are subject to tax on their entire income to the extent that the “Contact Us” page. income is taxable on the person’s federal income tax returns. Iowa’s 2016 tax rate rises in eight steps from 0.36 percent to MAINE a maximum 8.98 percent of taxable income over $69,930, Individuals domiciled in Maine are considered residents and depending on income and filing status. are subject to tax on their entire income. Since Jan. 1, 2007, Write: Taxpayer Services, Iowa Department of Revenue, however, there have been “safe harbor” provisions. Under PO Box 10457, Des Moines IA 50306-0457. the General Safe Harbor provision, Maine domiciliaries are Phone: 1-(800) 367-3388 or (515) 281-3114 treated as non-residents if they satisfy all three of the follow- Website: https://tax.iowa.gov/ ing conditions: 1) they did not maintain a permanent place of Email: Use email form on “Contact Us” page of the website. abode in Maine for the entire taxable year; 2) they maintained

70 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL a permanent place of abode outside Maine for the entire gains) remains taxed at 12 percent. taxable year; and 3) they spent no more than 30 days in the Write: Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Taxpayer aggregate in Maine during the taxable year. Under the Foreign Services Division, P.O. Box 7010, Boston MA 02204. Safe Harbor provision, Maine domiciliaries are also treated Phone: (617) 887-6367. as non-residents if they are present in a foreign country for Website: http://www.mass.gov/dor/ 450 days in a 548-day period and do not spend more than 90 Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab. days in Maine during that period. Maine’s 2016 tax rate is 5.8 percent on Maine taxable income below $21,050 for singles MICHIGAN and $42,100 for joint filers, 6.75 percent up to $37,500 for Individuals domiciled in Michigan are considered residents singles and $75,000 for married filing jointly, and 7.15 percent and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of over those amounts. their physical presence in the state. Michigan’s tax is 4.25 Write: Maine Revenue Services, Income Tax Assistance, percent. Some Michigan cities impose an additional 1- or P.O. Box 9107, Augusta ME 04332-9107. 2-percent income tax. Detroit imposes an additional 2.4- Phone: (207) 626-8475. percent income tax. Website: www.maine.gov/revenue Write: Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing MI 48922. Email: [email protected] Phone: (517) 636.4486 for income tax questions. Website: www.michigan.gov/treasury MARYLAND Email: [email protected] Individuals domiciled in Maryland are considered residents and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of MINNESOTA their physical presence in the state. Individuals domiciled Individuals domiciled in Minnesota are considered residents elsewhere are also considered residents for tax purposes and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of for the portion of any calendar year in which they are physi- their physical presence in the state. Minnesota’s tax rate in cally present in the state for an aggregated total of 183 days 2016 is 5.35 percent on taxable income up to $25,180 for sin- or more. Maryland’s tax rate is $90 plus 4.75 percent of gles or $36,820 for married joint filers, rising in three steps to taxable income over $3,000 up to $100,000 if filing singly a maximum of 9.85 percent on taxable income over $155,650 and $150,000 if filing jointly. It then rises in four steps to for single filers or $259,420 for married filing jointly. $12,760 plus 5.75 percent of the excess of taxable income Write: Minnesota Department of Revenue, over $250,000 for singles or $15,072 plus 5.75 percent of 600 North Robert St., St. Paul MN 55146-5510. the excess over $300,000 for married filers. In addition, Phone: (651) 296-3781. Baltimore City and the 23 Maryland counties impose a local Website: www.taxes.state.mn.us income tax, which is a percentage of the Maryland taxable Email: [email protected] income, using Line 31 of Form 502 or Line 9 of Form 503. The local factor varies from 1.75 percent in Worcester County (and MISSISSIPPI for non-residents) to 3.2 percent in Baltimore City, and in Individuals domiciled in Mississippi are considered residents Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Wicomico and and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of Howard counties (see website for details for all counties). their physical presence in the state. Mississippi’s tax rate is Write: Comptroller of Maryland, Revenue Administration Cen- 3 percent on the first $5,000 of taxable income, 4 percent ter, Taxpayer Service Section, 110 Carroll Street, Annapolis MD on the next $5,000 and 5 percent on taxable income over 21411-0001. $10,000 for all taxpayers, whether filing singly or jointly. Phone: Toll-free 1 (800) 638-2937, or (410) 260-7980. Write: Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 1033, Jackson MS Website: www.marylandtaxes.com 39215-1033. Email: [email protected] Phone: (601) 923-7700. Website: www.dor.ms.gov MASSACHUSETTS Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab. Individuals domiciled in Massachusetts are considered resi- dents and are subject to tax on their entire income regard- MISSOURI less of their physical presence in the state. Salaries and most An individual domiciled in Missouri is considered a non-resi- interest and dividend income are taxed at a flat rate of 5.10 dent, and is not liable for tax on Missouri income if the individ- per cent for 2016. Some income (e.g., short-term capital ual has no permanent residence in Missouri, has a permanent

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residence elsewhere and is not physically present in the state NEW HAMPSHIRE for more than 30 days during the tax year. Missouri calculates The state imposes no personal income tax on earned income tax on a graduated scale up to $9,000 of taxable income. Any and no general sales tax. The state does levy, among other taxable income over $9,000 is taxed at a rate of $315 plus 6 taxes, a 5-percent tax on interest and dividend income of percent of the excess over $9,000. more than $2,400 annually for single filers and $4,800 annu- Write: Individual Income Tax, P.O. Box 2200, Jefferson City MO ally for joint filers, and an 8.5-percent tax on business profits, 65105-2200. including sale of rental property. There is no inheritance tax. Phone: (573) 751-3505. Applicable taxes apply to part-year residents. Website: www.dor.mo.gov Write: Central Tax Services Unit, P.O. Box 3306, Concord NH Email: [email protected] 03302-3306. Phone: (603) 230-5000. MONTANA Website: www.revenue.nh.gov Individuals domiciled in Montana are considered residents and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of NEW JERSEY their physical presence in the state. Montana’s tax rate for A New Jersey domiciliary is considered a non-resident for New 2016 rises in six steps from 1 percent of taxable income under Jersey tax purposes if the individual has no permanent resi- $2,900 to a maximum of 6.9 percent of taxable income over dence in New Jersey, has a permanent residence elsewhere $17,400. See the website for various deductions and exemp- and is not physically in the state for more than 30 days during tions. the tax year. Filing a return is not required (unless the non-res- Write: Montana Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 5805, ident has New Jersey-source income), but it is recommended Helena MT 59604-5805. in order to preserve domicile status. Filing is required on Phone: 1 (866) 859-2254 or (406) 444-6900. Form 1040-NR for revenue derived from in-state sources. Tax Website: www.revenue.mt.gov/home liability is calculated as a variable lump sum plus a percentage Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab. from a minimum of 1.4 percent of taxable gross income up to $20,000, in three steps to 6.37 percent between $75,000 and NEBRASKA $500,000, and a maximum of 8.97 percent on taxable gross Individuals domiciled in Nebraska are considered residents income over $500,000 for both single and joint filers. and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of Write: New Jersey Division of Taxation, Technical Services their physical presence in the state. For 2016 the individual Branch, P.O. Box 281, Trenton NJ 08695-0281. income tax rates range in four steps from a minimum of 2.46 Phone: (609) 292-6400. percent to a maximum of 6.84 percent of the excess over Website: www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation $29,590 for singles and $59,180 for joint filers. If AGI is over Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab. $258,250 for single filers or $370,800 for joint filers an addi- tional tax of between 0.438 and 0.183 percent is imposed. NEW MEXICO Write: Department of Revenue, 301 Centennial Mall South, Individuals domiciled in New Mexico are considered resi- P.O. Box 94818, Lincoln NE 68509-4818. dents and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless Phone: (402) 471-5729. of their physical presence in the state. The basis for New Mexi- Website: www.revenue.state.ne.us co’s calculation is the Federal Adjusted Gross Income figure. Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab. Rates rise in four steps from a minimum of 1.7 percent to a maximum of 4.9 percent on New Mexico taxable income over NEVADA $16,000 for single filers and $24,000 for married filing jointly. Nevada does not tax personal income. There is a sales-and- Write: New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, use tax that varies from 6.85 percent to 8.1 percent depending 1100 South St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe NM 87504. on local jurisdiction. Additional ad valorem personal and real Phone: (505) 827-0700. property taxes are also levied. Website: www.tax.newmexico.gov/ Write: Nevada Department of Taxation, 1550 College Pkwy, Email: Link through the website’s “Email Us” tab. Suite 115, Carson City NV 89706. Phone: 1 (866) 962-3707 or (775) 684-2000. NEW YORK Website: www.tax.state.nv.us There is no tax liability for out-of-state income if you have no permanent residence in New York, have a permanent resi-

72 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL dence elsewhere and are not present in the state more than 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 127, Bismarck ND 58505-0599. 30 days during the tax year OR you were in a foreign country Phone: (701) 328-1247. for at least 450 days during any period of 548 consecutive Website: www.nd.gov/tax days; and you, your spouse and minor children spent 90 days Email: [email protected] or less in New York State during this 548-day period. Filing a return is not required, but it is recommended to preserve OHIO domicile status. The tax rate rises in six steps from a mini- Individuals domiciled in Ohio are considered residents and mum of 4 percent to 6.45 percent of taxable income over their income is subject to tax, using the Federal Adjusted $21,300 for single filers and $42,750 for married filing jointly; Gross Income figure as a starting base. Ohio’s tax rate starts 6.65 percent on taxable income over $80,150 for single filers at a minimum of 0.495 percent on taxable income under and $160,500 for joint filers; 6.85 percent on taxable income $5,200, rising in seven steps to a maximum of 4.997 percent over $214,000 for single filers or $321.050 for joint filers; on taxable income over $208,500 for single and joint filers. and 8.82 percent over $1,070,350 for single filers and over Ohio also charges a school district income tax of between 0.5 $2,140,900 for joint filers. In New York City the maximum and 2 percent, depending on jurisdiction. rate is 3.648 percent over $90,000 and 3.876 percent over Write: Ohio Department of Taxation, Taxpayer Services Center, $500,000. Filing is required on Form IT-203 for revenue P.O. Box 530, Columbus OH 43216-0530. derived from New York sources. Phone: toll-free 1 (800) 282-1780 or (614) 387-0224. Foreign Service employees assigned to USUN for a normal Website: www.tax.ohio.gov tour of duty are considered to be resident in NY State for Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab. tax purposes. See TSB-M-09(2)I of Jan. 16, 2009, at www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/memos/income/m09_2i.pdf. OKLAHOMA Write: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Individuals domiciled in Oklahoma are considered residents Personal Income Tax Information, W.A. Harriman Campus, and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of Albany NY 12227. their physical presence in the state. Oklahoma’s tax rate Phone: (518) 457-5181. for 2016 rises in eight stages to a maximum of 5 percent on Website: www.tax.ny.gov taxable income over $7,200 for single filers and $12,200 for Email: Link through the website’s “Answer Center” tab. married filing jointly. Write: Oklahoma Tax Commission, Income Tax, NORTH CAROLINA P.O. Box 26800, Oklahoma City OK 73126-0800. Individuals domiciled in North Carolina are considered resi- Phone: (405) 521-3160. dents and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless Website: www.tax.ok.gov of their physical presence in the state. North Carolina charges Email: [email protected] a flat tax rate of 5.75 percent. Residents must also report and pay a “use tax” on purchases made outside the state for use in OREGON North Carolina. Individuals domiciled in Oregon are considered residents and Write: North Carolina Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 25000, are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of their Raleigh NC 27640-0640. physical presence in the state. For 2016, Oregon’s tax rate Phone: Toll-free 1 (877) 252-3052. From overseas, call rises from 5 percent on taxable income over $3,350 for single 1 (919) 814-9701. filers and $6,700 for married filing jointly, in three steps to 9.9 Website: www.dornc.com/ percent on taxable income over $125,000 for single filers and $250,000 for joint filers. Oregon has no sales tax. NORTH DAKOTA Write: Oregon Department of Revenue, 955 Center St. NE, Individuals domiciled in North Dakota and serving outside the Salem OR 97301-2555. state are considered residents and are subject to tax on their Phone: 1 (800) 356-4222, or (503) 378-4988. entire income. For the 2016 tax year, the tax rate ranges in Website: www.oregon.gov/DOR four steps from 1.1 percent on North Dakota taxable income Email: [email protected] up to $37,650 for singles and $62,900 for joint filers to a maximum of 2.90 percent on taxable income over $413,350 PENNSYLVANIA for singles and joint filers. Pennsylvania’s tax rate is a flat 3.07 percent. Pennsylvania Write: Office of State Tax Commissioner, State Capitol, tax authorities have ruled that Pennsylvania residents in the

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U.S. Foreign Service are not on federal active duty for state SOUTH CAROLINA tax purposes, and thus their income is taxable compensation. Individuals domiciled in South Carolina are considered resi- For non-Foreign Service state residents, there is no tax liability dents and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless for out-of-state income if the individual has no permanent of their physical presence in the state. South Carolina’s 2016 residence in the state, has a permanent residence elsewhere tax rates rise in six steps from 3 percent on the first $5,840 of and spends no more than 30 days in the state during the tax South Carolina taxable income to a maximum of 7 percent of year. However, Pennsylvania does not consider government taxable income over $14,600. quarters overseas to be a “permanent residence elsewhere.” Write: South Carolina Tax Commission, P.O. Box 125, Filing a return is not required, but it is recommended to pre- Columbia SC 29214. serve domicile status. File Form PA-40 for all income derived Phone: 1 (844) 898-8542 Option 3, or (803) 898-5000. from Pennsylvania sources. Website: www.sctax.org Write: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Email: [email protected] or through the “Contact Us” tab on Revenue, Taxpayer Services Department, Harrisburg PA the website. 17128-1061. Phone: (717) 787-8201. SOUTH DAKOTA Website: www.revenue.pa.gov There is no state income tax and no state inheritance tax. Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab. State sales and use tax is 4 percent; municipalities may add up to an additional 2.75 percent. PUERTO RICO Write: South Dakota Department of Revenue, Individuals who are domiciled in Puerto Rico are consid- 445 East Capitol Ave., Pierre SD 57501-3185. ered residents and are subject to tax on their entire income Phone: (605) 773-3311. regardless of their physical presence in the Commonwealth. Website: http://dor.sd.gov Normally, they may claim a credit with certain limitations for Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab. income taxes paid to the United States on any income from sources outside Puerto Rico. Taxes range from 7 percent TENNESSEE of taxable income up to $25,000 to 33 percent of taxable Salaries and wages are not subject to state income tax, but income over $61,500 for all taxpayers. Tennessee imposes a 6-percent tax on most dividends and Write: Departamento de Hacienda, P.O. Box 9024140, interest income of more than $1,250 (single filers) or $2,500 San Juan PR 00902-4140. (joint filers) in the tax year. Phone: (787) 622-0123. Write: Tennessee Department of Revenue (Attention: Website: www.hacienda.gobierno.pr Taxpayer Services), 500 Deaderick St., Nashville TN 37242. Email: [email protected] Phone: (615) 253-6000. Website: www.tn.gov/revenue/ RHODE ISLAND Email: [email protected] Individuals domiciled in Rhode Island are considered resi- dents and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless TEXAS of their physical presence in the state. The 2016 Rhode Island There is no state personal income tax. State sales tax is 6.25 tax rate is 3.75 percent of taxable income up to $60,850 for all percent with local additions adding up to 2 percent. filers, 4.75 percent of income over $60,850 and 5.99 percent Write: Texas Comptroller, P.O. Box 13528, Capitol Station, of taxable income over $138,300 for all filers. Also, a 2010 Austin TX 78711-3528. change treats capital gains as ordinary taxable income. Refer Phone: 1 (800) 252-5555. to the tax division’s website for current information and handy Website: www.comptroller.texas.gov/ filing hints, as well as for forms and regulations. Email: Use email options on “Contact Us” page of the website. Write: Rhode Island Division of Taxation, Taxpayer Assistance Section, One Capitol Hill, Providence RI 02908-5801. UTAH Phone (401) 574-8829, Option #3. Utah has a flat tax of 5 percent on all income. Individuals Website: www.tax.state.ri.us domiciled in Utah are considered residents and are subject to Email: [email protected] Utah state tax. Utah requires that all Federal Adjusted Gross Income reported on the federal return be reported on the state return regardless of the taxpayer’s physical presence in

74 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL the state. Some taxpayers will be able to claim either a taxpayer tax credit or a retirement tax credit, or both (see website for explanation). Write: Utah State Tax Commission, Taxpayer Services Division, 210 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City UT 84134. Phone: toll-free (800) 662-4335, Option 0, or (801) 297-2200, Option 0. Website: www.tax.utah.gov Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab.

VERMONT Individuals domiciled in Vermont are considered residents and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of their physical presence in the state. The 2016 tax rate ranges from 3.55 percent on taxable income under $37,650 for singles and $62,850 for joint filers to a maximum of 8.95 percent on tax- able income over $413,350 for singles and joint filers. Write: Vermont Department of Taxes, Taxpayer Services Division, 133 State St., Montpelier VT 05633-1401. Phone: (802) 828-2865. Website: www.tax.vermont.gov/ Email: [email protected] or through the website’s “Contact Us” tab.

VIRGINIA Individuals domiciled in Virginia are considered residents and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of their physical presence in the state. Individuals domiciled else- where are also considered residents for tax purposes for the portion of any calendar year in which they are physically pres- ent in the state for 183 days or more. These individuals should file using Form 760. In addition, Virginia requires non-resi- dents to file Form 763 if their Virginia Adjusted Gross Income (which includes any federal salary paid during time they are residing in Virginia) exceeds $11,950 for single filers and mar- ried filing separately, or $23,900 for married filing jointly. Individual tax rates are: 2 percent if taxable income is less than $3,000; $60 plus 3 percent of excess over $3,000 if taxable income is between $3,000 and $5,000; $120 plus 5 percent of excess over $5,000 if taxable income is between $5,000 and $17,000; and $720 plus 5.75 percent if taxable income is over $17,000. In addition, using Form R-1H, Virginia allows employers of household help to elect to pay state unemployment tax annually instead of quarterly. Write: Virginia Department of Taxation, Office of Customer Services, P.O. Box 1115, Richmond VA 23218-1115. Phone: (804) 367-8031. Website: www.tax.virginia.gov Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab.

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WASHINGTON WISCONSIN There is no state income tax and no tax on intangibles such Individuals domiciled in Wisconsin are considered residents as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. Residents may deduct and are subject to tax on their entire income regardless of Washington sales tax on their federal tax returns if they item- where the income is earned. Wisconsin’s 2016 tax rate rises in ize deductions. State tax rate is 6.5 percent and local addi- four steps from 4 percent on income up to $11,150 for single tions can increase that to 9.5 percent in some areas. filers or $14,820 for joint filers to a maximum of 7.65 percent Write: Washington State Department of Revenue, on income over $244,750 for single filers or $326,330 for joint Taxpayer Services, P.O. Box 47478, Olympia WA 98504-7478. filers. Phone: toll-free 1 (800) 647-7706. Write: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Individual Income Website: www.dor.wa.gov Tax Assistance, P.O. Box 59, Madison WI 53708-0001. Email: Link through the website’s “Contact Us” tab. Phone: (608) 266-2486. Website: www.revenue.wi.gov WEST VIRGINIA Email: Through the “Contact Us” link on the website. There is no tax liability for out-of-state income if the individual has no permanent residence in West Virginia, has a perma- WYOMING nent residence elsewhere and spends no more than 30 days There is no state income tax and no tax on intangibles such as of the tax year in West Virginia. However, non-resident domicil- bank accounts, stocks or bonds. State sales tax is 4 percent. iaries are required to file a return on Form IT-140 for all income Local jurisdictions may add another 4 percent. derived from West Virginia sources. Tax rates rise in four steps Write: Wyoming Department of Revenue, Herschler Building, from 4 percent of taxable income over $10,000 for all filers, to 122 West 25th St., Cheyenne WY 82002-0110. 6.5 percent of taxable income for all filers over $60,000. Phone: (307) 777-5200. Write: Department of Tax and Revenue, The Revenue Center, Website: http://revenue.wyo.gov/ 1001 Lee St. E., Charleston WV 25337-3784. Email: [email protected] n Phone: toll-free 1 (800) 982-8297, or (304) 558-3333. Website: www.wvtax.gov Email: [email protected]

STATE PENSION AND ANNUITY TAX

The laws regarding the taxation of Foreign Service annuities vary greatly from state to state. In addition to those states that have no income tax or no tax on personal income, there are several states that do not tax income derived from pensions and annuities. Idaho taxes Foreign Service annuities while exempting certain categories of Civil Service employees. Several websites provide more information on individual state taxes for retirees, but the Retirement Living Information Center at www.retirementliving.com/ taxes-by-state is one of the more comprehensive and is recommended for further information.

ALABAMA ALASKA ARIZONA depending on the county and/ Social Security and U.S. No personal income tax. Up to $2,500 of U.S. govern- or city. government pensions are not Most municipalities levy ment pension income may be taxable. The combined state, sales and/or use taxes of excluded for each taxpayer. ARKANSAS county and city general sales between 2 and 7 percent There is also a $2,100 exemp- The first $6,000 of income and use tax rates range and/or a property tax. If over tion for each taxpayer age from any retirement plan or from 7 percent to as much 65, you may be able to claim 65 or over. Social Security IRA is exempt (to a maximum as 8.65 percent. See also an exemption. is excluded from taxable of $6,000 overall). Social www.revenue.alabama.gov/ income. Sales and use tax is Security is excluded from tax- taxpayerassist/retire.pdf. 5.6 percent, with additions able income. There is no estate

76 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL or inheritance tax. State sales DISTRICT OF and use tax is 6.5 percent; city COLUMBIA and county taxes may add Pension or annuity exclusion another 5.5 percent. of $3,000 is applicable if 62 years or older. Social Secu- CALIFORNIA rity is excluded from taxable Pensions and annuities are income. Sales and use tax fully taxable. Social Security is 5.75 percent, with higher is excluded from taxable rates for some commodities income. The sales and use (liquor, meals, etc.). tax rate varies from 7.5 per- cent (the statewide rate) to FLORIDA 11 percent in some areas. CA There is no personal income, Pub 71 lists all rates state- inheritance, gift tax or tax wide. on intangible property. The state sales and use COLORADO tax is 6 percent. There are Up to $24,000 of pension additional county sales or Social Security income taxes, which could make the can be excluded if individual combined rate as high as 9.5 is age 65 or over. Up to percent. $20,000 is exempt if age 55 to 64. State sales tax is 2.9 GEORGIA percent; local additions can Up to $35,000 of retirement increase it to as much as 9.9 income may be excluded percent. for those aged 62 or older or totally disabled. Up to CONNECTICUT $65,000 of retirement Pensions and annuities are income may be excludable fully taxable for residents. for taxpayers who are 65 Social Security is exempt or older. Social Security if Federal Adjusted Gross is excluded from taxable Income is less than $50,000 income. Sales tax is 4 for singles or $60,000 for percent statewide, with joint filers. Statewide sales additions of up to 3 percent tax is 6.35 percent. No local depending on jurisdiction. additions. HAWAII DELAWARE Pension and annuity distri- Pension exclusions per butions from a government person: $2,000 is exempt pension plan are not taxed under age 60; $12,500 if age in Hawaii. Social Security 60 or over. There is an addi- is excluded from taxable tional standard deduction income. Hawaii charges a of $2,500 if age 65 or over general excise tax of 4 per- if you do not itemize. Social cent instead of sales tax. Security is excluded from taxable income. Delaware IDAHO does not impose a sales tax. If the individual is age 65 or older, or age 62 and dis-

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abled, Civil Service Retire- IOWA son age 65 or over. Married Booklet. General sales tax ment System and Foreign Generally taxable. A mar- filing jointly may exclude is 6 percent; 9 percent on Service Retirement and ried couple with an income $12,000. Social Security liquor. Disability System pensions for the year of less than is excluded from taxable qualify for a deduction $32,000 may file for exemp- income. State sales tax is MASSACHUSETTS in 2016 of a maximum of tion, if at least one spouse 4 percent with local addi- Federal pensions and Social $27,876 for a single return or the head of household is tions up to a possible total Security are excluded and up to $41,814 for a joint 65 years or older on Dec. 31, of 10.75 percent. Use tax is from Massachusetts gross return. Federal Employ- and single persons who are 8 percent regardless of the income. Each taxpayer over ees’ Retirement System or 65 years or older on Dec. 31 purchaser’s location. age 65 is allowed an addi- Foreign Service Pension Sys- may file for an exemption tional $700 exemption on tem pensions do not qualify if their income is $24,000 MAINE other income. Sales tax is for this deduction. The or less. Social Security Recipients of a government- 6.25 percent. deduction is reduced dollar is excluded from taxable sponsored pension or for dollar by Social Security income. Statewide sales tax annuity who are filing singly MICHIGAN benefits. Social Security is 6 percent, with no more may deduct up to $10,000 Pension benefits included in itself is not taxed. Idaho than 1 percent added in local ($20,000 for married filing Adjusted Gross Income from state sales tax is 6 percent; jurisdictions. jointly) on income that is a private pension system some local jurisdictions included in their Federal or an IRA are deductible for add as much as another 3 KANSAS Adjusted Gross Income, those born before 1946 to percent. U.S. government pensions reduced by all Social Secu- a maximum of $47,309 for are not taxed. There is an rity and railroad benefits. a single filer, or $94,618 for ILLINOIS extra deduction of $850 if For those aged 65 and over, joint filers; public pensions Illinois does not tax U.S. gov- over 65. Social Security is there is an additional stan- are exempt. If born after ernment pensions or Social exempt if Federal Adjusted dard deduction of $1,450 1946 and before 1952, the Security. State sales tax is Gross Income is under (single), $1,150 (married fil- exemption for public and 6.25 percent. Local additions $75,000. State sales tax is ing singly) or $2,200 (mar- private pensions is limited can raise sales tax to 8.45 6.3 percent, with additions ried filing jointly). General to $20,000 for singles and percent in some jurisdictions. of between 1 and 4 percent sales tax is 5.5 percent; 8 $40,000 for married fil- depending on jurisdiction. percent on meals and liquor. ers. If born after 1952, not INDIANA eligible for any exemption If the individual is over age KENTUCKY MARYLAND until reaching age 67. Social 62, the Adjusted Gross Government pension income Those over 65 or perma- Security is excluded from Income may be reduced is exempt if retired before Jan. nently disabled, or whose taxable income. Full details by the first $2,000 of any 1, 1998. If retired after Dec. 31, spouse is permanently at: www.michigan.gov/docu pension, reduced dollar for 1997, pension/annuity income disabled, may under certain ments/taxes/PensionBen dollar by Social Security up to $41,110 remains fully conditions be eligible for efitsChart_479546_7.pdf. benefits. There is also a excludable for 2016. Social Maryland’s maximum pen- Michigan’s state sales tax $1,000 exemption if over Security is excluded from tax- sion exclusion of $29,200. rate is 6 percent. There are 65, or $1,500 if Federal able income. Sales and use tax Also, all individuals 65 no city, local or county sales Adjusted Gross Income is is 6 percent statewide, with no years or older are entitled taxes. less than $40,000. There local sales or use taxes. to an extra $1,000 personal is no pension exclusion exemption in addition to MINNESOTA for survivor annuitants of LOUISIANA the regular $3,200 personal Social Security income is federal annuities. Social Federal retirement ben- exemption available to all taxed by Minnesota to the Security is excluded from efits are exempt from state taxpayers. Social Security same extent it is on your taxable income. Sales tax income tax. There is an is excluded from taxable federal return. If your only and use tax is 7 percent. exemption of $6,000 of income. See the work- income is Social Security, other annual retirement sheet and instructions in you would not be required income received by any per- the Maryland Resident Tax

78 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL to file an income tax return. MONTANA All federal pensions are tax- There is a $3,980 pension able, but single taxpayers income exclusion if Federal who are over 65 or disabled Adjusted Gross Income is may exclude some income less than $33,190. Those if Federal Adjusted Gross over 65 can exempt an Income is under $33,700 additional $800 of interest and nontaxable Social income for single taxpayers Security is under $9,600. and $1,600 for married joint For a couple, the limits are filers. Social Security is sub- $42,000 for Adjusted Gross ject to tax. Montana has no Income and $12,000 for general sales tax, but tax is nontaxable Social Security. levied on the sale of various Statewide sales and use tax commodities. is 6.875 percent; some local additions may increase the NEBRASKA total to 9.53 percent. U.S. government pensions and annuities are fully tax- MISSISSIPPI able. Social Security is tax- Social Security, qualified able. State sales tax is 5.5 retirement income from fed- percent, with local additions eral, state and private retire- of up to 2 percent. ment systems, and income from IRAs are exempt from NEVADA Mississippi tax. There is No personal income tax. an additional exemption of Sales and use tax varies $1,500 on other income if from 6.85 to 8.1 percent, over 65. Statewide sales tax depending on local jurisdic- is 7 percent. tion.

MISSOURI NEW HAMPSHIRE Public pension income may No personal income tax. be deducted if Missouri There is no inheritance tax. Adjusted Gross Income is There is a 5-percent tax on less than $100,000 when interest/dividend income married filing jointly or over $2,400 for singles $85,000 for single filers, ($4,800 married filing up to a limit of $36,442 for jointly). A $1,200 exemption each spouse. The maximum is available for those 65 or private pension deduction is over. No general sales tax. $6,000. You may also deduct 100 percent of Social Secu- NEW JERSEY rity income if over age 62 Pensions and annuities from and Federal Adjusted Gross civilian government service Income is less than the lim- are subject to state income its above. Sales tax is 4.225 tax, with exemptions for percent; local additions may those aged 62 or older or add another 2 percent. totally and permanently dis- abled. However, see this link for the distinction between

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the “Three-Year method” $20,000 of other annuity OHIO both before and after Oct. and the “General Rule income (e.g., Thrift Savings Retirement income is taxed. 1, 1991, must prorate their method” for contributory Plan) may be excluded. See Taxpayers 65 and over may exemption using the instruc- pension plans: www.state. N.Y. Tax Publication 36 at take a $50 credit per return. tions in the tax booklet. For nj.us/treasury/taxa www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/pub In addition, Ohio gives a tax those over age 62, a tax tion/njit6.shtml. Singles lications/income/pub36. credit based on the amount credit of up to 9 percent of and heads of households pdf for details. Sales tax is of the retirement income taxable pension income is can exclude up to $15,000 4 percent statewide. Other included in Ohio Adjusted available to recipients of of retirement income; those local taxes may add up to an Gross Income, reaching a pension income, including married filing jointly up additional 5 percent. maximum of $200 for any most private pension income, to $20,000; those mar- retirement income over whose household income was ried filing separately up to NORTH CAROLINA $8,000. Social Security less than $22,500 (single) $10,000 each. These exclu- Pursuant to the “Bailey” is excluded from taxable and $45,000 (joint), and who sions are eliminated for New decision (see http://dornc. income. State sales tax is received less than $7,500 Jersey gross incomes over com/taxes/individual/ 5.75 percent. Counties and (single)/$15,000 (joint) in $100,000. Residents over benefits.html), government regional transit authorities Social Security benefits. The 65 may be eligible for an retirement benefits received may add to this, but the credit is the lesser of the tax additional $1,000 personal by federal retirees who had total must not exceed 8.75 liability, or 9 percent of tax- exemption. Social Security five years of creditable ser- percent. able pension income. Social is excluded from taxable vice in a federal retirement Security is excluded from income. State sales tax is 7 system on Aug. 12, 1989, are OKLAHOMA taxable income. Oregon has percent. exempt from North Caro- Individuals receiving FERS/ no sales tax. lina income tax. Those who FSPS or private pensions NEW MEXICO do not have five years of may exempt up to $10,000, PENNSYLVANIA All pensions and annuities creditable service on Aug. but not to exceed the Government pensions and are taxed as part of Federal 12, 1989, must pay North amount included in the Fed- Social Security are not Adjusted Gross Income. Carolina tax on their federal eral Adjusted Gross Income. subject to personal income Taxpayers 65 and older annuities. In Tax Year 2014 Since 2011, 100 percent of tax. Pennsylvania sales tax may exempt up to $8,000 and later, the $4,000 deduc- a federal pension paid in is 6 percent. Other taxing (single) or $16,000 (joint) tion is no longer available. lieu of Social Security (i.e., entities may add up to 2 from any income source For those over 65, an extra CSRS and FSRDS—”old percent. if their income is under $750 (single) or $1,200 system”—including the $28,500 (individual fil- (couple) may be deducted. CSRS/FSRDS portion of PUERTO RICO ers) or $51,000 (married Social Security is excluded an annuity paid under both The first $11,000 of income filing jointly). The exemp- from taxable income. State systems) is exempt. Social received from a federal tion is reduced as income sales tax is 4.75 percent; Security included in FAGI is pension can be excluded for increases, disappearing local taxes may increase this exempt. State sales tax is individuals under 60. For altogether at $51,000. New by up to 3 percent. 4.5 percent. Local and other those over 60, the exclusion Mexico has a gross receipts additions may bring the is $15,000. If the individual tax, instead of a sales tax, NORTH DAKOTA total up to 9.5 percent. receives more than one of 5.125 percent; county All pensions and annuities federal pension, the exclu- and city taxes may increase are fully taxed. Social Secu- OREGON sion applies to each pension the total to 6.625 percent in rity is excluded from taxable Generally, all retirement or annuity separately. Social some jurisdictions. income. General sales tax income is subject to Oregon Security is excluded from is 5 percent; 7 percent on tax when received by an taxable income. NEW YORK liquor. Local jurisdictions Oregon resident. However, Social Security, U.S. gov- impose up to 3 percent federal retirees who retired RHODE ISLAND ernment pensions and more. on or before Oct. 1, 1991, may U.S. government pensions annuities are not taxed. For exempt their entire federal and annuities are fully taxable. those over age 59½, up to pension; those who worked Social Security is taxed to the

80 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL extent it is federally taxed. of less than $37,000 for a Sales tax is 7 percent; meals single filer and $68,000 for and beverages 8 percent. joint filers are completely exempt from all taxes on SOUTH CAROLINA income. State sales tax is Individuals under age 65 can 5 percent on food; 7 per- claim a $3,000 deduction on cent on other goods, with qualified retirement income; between 1.5 and 2.75 per- those age 65 or over may cent added, depending on claim a $15,000 deduc- jurisdiction. tion on qualified retirement income ($30,000 if both TEXAS spouses are over 65), but No personal income tax or must reduce this figure by inheritance tax. State sales any other retirement deduc- tax is 6.25 percent. Local tion claimed. Social Security options can raise the rate to is excluded from taxable 8.25 percent. income. Sales tax is 6 per- cent plus 1 percent in some UTAH counties. Residents aged 85 Utah has a flat tax rate of 5 and over pay 5 percent. percent of all income. For taxpayers over 65 there is a SOUTH DAKOTA retirement tax credit of $450 No personal income tax or for single filers and $900 for inheritance tax. State sales joint filers. This is reduced and use tax is 4 percent; by 2.5 percent of income municipalities may add up exceeding $25,000 for single to an additional 2 percent. filers and $32,000 for joint Residents who are age 66 filers. See the state website and older and have a yearly for details. State sales tax income of under $10,250 is 4.7 percent; local option (single) or in a household taxes may raise the total to where the total income was as much as 9.95 percent. under $13,250 are eligible for a sales tax OR a property VERMONT tax refund. U.S. government pensions and annuities are fully tax- TENNESSEE able. Social Security is taxed Social Security, pension to the extent it is federally income and income from taxed. State general sales IRAs and TSP are not sub- tax is 6 percent; local option ject to personal income tax. taxes may raise the total to Most interest and dividend 7 percent (higher on some income is taxed at 6 percent commodities). if over $1,250 (single filers) or $2,500 (married filing VIRGINIA jointly). However, for tax Individuals over age 65 can year 2015 and subsequently, take a $12,000 deduction. those over 65 with total The maximum $12,000 income from all sources deduction is reduced by

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one dollar for each dollar filing jointly) of any retire- by which Adjusted Gross ment income. Out-of-state Income exceeds $50,000 for government pensions single, and $75,000 for mar- qualify for this exemption. ried, taxpayers. All taxpayers State sales tax is 6 percent, over 65 receive an additional with additions of between personal exemption of $800. 0.5 and 1 percent in some Social Security is excluded jurisdictions. from taxable income. The estate tax was repealed for WISCONSIN all deaths after July 1, 2007. Pensions and annuities are The general sales tax rate fully taxable. Social Security is 5.3 percent (4.3 percent is excluded from taxable state tax and 1 percent local income. Those age 65 or tax, with an extra 0.7 percent over may take two personal in Northern Virginia). deductions totaling $950. Benefits received from a WASHINGTON federal retirement system No personal income tax. account established before Retirement income is not Dec. 31, 1963, are not taxable. taxed. State sales tax is 6.5 Those over 65 and with a percent; rates are updated FAGI of less than $15,000 quarterly. Local taxes may (single filers) or $30,000 increase the total to 9.5 (joint filers) may exclude percent. $5,000 of income from federal retirement systems WEST VIRGINIA or IRAs. Those over 65 may $2,000 of any civil or state take an additional personal pension is exempt. Social deduction of $250. State Security income is tax- sales tax is 5 percent; most able only to the extent that counties charge an extra 1.5 the income is includable percent. in Federal Adjusted Gross Income. Taxpayers 65 and WYOMING older or surviving spouses No personal income tax. of any age may exclude State sales tax is 4 percent. the first $8,000 (individual Local taxes may add another filers) or $16,000 (married 4 percent. n

82 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL IN MEMORY

n Lessie Marie “Cita” Brewton dren; and many nieces, nephews and of an anti-aircraft group whose task it was Bishop, 95, widow of the late Ambassador cousins. to shoot down German warplanes. Max Waldo Schmidt Bishop, died peace- The family gratefully acknowledges In 1950, she married Philip Francis fully at Maxland, her home in Ailey, Ga., the loving care Mrs. Bishop received from Dorman, an American FSO serving at on Sept. 18. Elizabeth Cummings, Carolyn Snead, Embassy London. The couple remained in Jessie Marie was born Sept. 4, 1921, in Melissa Nelms, Tye Ronnie Glasper and London for four years. Postings to Cairo, Vidalia, Ga., a daughter of John Broadus Mary Gasser. Tehran, Lusaka, Khartoum and Bangkok Brewton and Ala Peterson Brewton. A Memorial donations in Mrs. Bishop’s followed. 1938 graduate of Vidalia High School and name may be made to the Peterson Cem- At post, Mrs. Dorman took an active a 1942 graduate of Georgia State College etery Fund, c/o Tom Peterson, P.O. Box 7, interest in the local community, either by for Women in Milledgeville, she served Ailey GA 30410. becoming involved in existing projects or in the U.S. Navy as a WAVES (Women creating new ones. In Lusaka, a coop- Accepted for Volunteer Emergency n Lesley Dorman, 95, the wife of FSO erative she organized and developed to Service) communications officer during Philip Francis Dorman and a ground- encourage the production of local handi- World War II. breaking leader on behalf of Foreign crafts continued to function many years Mrs. Bishop met her FSO husband in Service families for nearly 50 years, died at after she departed. Japan, where he was serving as the politi- Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, The couple returned to Washington, cal adviser to General MacArthur after the D.C., on Aug. 26. D.C., in 1971, and Mrs. Dorman’s leader- war. They were married on July 13, 1946, at From 1976 to 1981, she served as ship on behalf of the Foreign Service the base chapel in Yokohama. president of AAFSW (Associates of the community entered a new phase, one that Mr. Bishop’s Foreign Service career American Foreign Service Worldwide, would lead to the establishment of the took them to many international destina- then called Association of American For- Family Liaison Office at State and other tions, including Saudi Arabia, and culmi- eign Service Women). pioneering achievements. nated in his appointment as ambassador Lesley Tanburn was born on Nov. 17, Mrs. Dorman was elected president of to Thailand by President Dwight Eisen- 1920, in the town of Chalfont St. Giles in AAFSW in 1976, her five-year term coin- hower in 1955. the county of Buckinghamshire, a beauti- ciding with the social movement sparked Following her husband’s retirement ful and historic area near London. Her by the “’72 Directive”—which, for the as executive director of the World Affairs mother, a suffragette who raced automo- first time, asserted the independence of Council in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1973, the biles as a hobby, showed her daughter that Foreign Service wives. One of her first acts couple settled in Ailey, where Mrs. Bishop if groups of women worked together, they was to take the lead in creating the AAFSW was a gracious hostess and enjoyed the could accomplish a great deal. FORUM, which became the association’s company of friends and family. She espe- Her parents frequently received think tank. cially loved arranging fresh flowers from distinguished guests, and Lesley learned The FORUM sought to identify the her garden for her home. early on to converse with well-informed major concerns people had begun to She was a member of the Ailey United people older than she about a variety of express about life in the Foreign Service. Methodist Church, the American Foreign topics. These childhood experiences gave For the first time, clusters of issues were Service Association and DACOR. her strong confidence in her own abilities, identified: (1) family life, including educa- Mrs. Bishop was preceded in death which served her well in later interactions tion of children and medical care; (2) the by her husband, who died in 1994. She with senior management at the Depart- modern Foreign Service wife, including is survived by four children: Cecelia ment of State and elected representatives spousal employment, the formation of a Marie Bishop of Oakland, Calif., Ala on Capitol Hill. skills bank and the representational func- Joan (and her husband, Adrian) Jones During World War II she served as a tion; (3) orientation, including training of Tyrone, Ga., Nancy Caroline (and her WREN—Women’s Royal Naval Service, the for spouses; (4) re-entry issues; and (5) husband, Bruce) Dutcher of Atlanta, women’s branch of the United Kingdom’s women in transition, through retirement, Ga., and Max Brewton Bishop of Ailey; Royal Navy. She was stationed at Hyde the death of a spouse or divorce. 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchil- Park in London, where she served as part With Mrs. Dorman as chair, the

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 83 FORUM sent out 9,000 questionnaires, information that employees and families and Finances—a volume still in use today. asking people overseas to assess the could consult on posts overseas before After her term in office, Mrs. Dorman impact of the Foreign Service on family they completed their bid lists and before remained deeply loyal to AAFSW and later members in those five clusters of concern. actually arriving at post. co-authored a history of the association Based on the replies, the “Report on the In 1979, under Mrs. Dorman’s leader- from 1960 to 1990. In 1993, the association Concerns of Foreign Service Spouses and ship, the FORUM contributed two more created the Dorman Award in her honor Families” was presented to Secretary of special reports based on information col- to recognize AAFSW volunteers who had State Cyrus Vance in March 1977. lected by members. “Legal and Economic given exceptional, sustained support to The report contained 11 recommenda- Implications of USFS Life for Wives” the AAFSW in all its endeavors. tions, the second of which was to establish discussed the realities of credit, property In addition to serving as president, the Family Liaison Office. Sec. Vance rights, widowhood and divorce for FS she served as the AAFSW program chair, responded personally to the recommen- wives and their families. It was the first the housing office chair and the public dations, the FLO proposal in particular: such document ever produced. relations chair. Even when it became dif- “The concept is a good one and I support The second FORUM report addressed— ficult for her to move about, she insisted it... I believe that we should establish FLO again, for the first time ever—the issue of on remaining engaged and often attended or its equivalent with all deliberate speed.” spousal employment. AAFSW Board meetings. Mrs. Dorman understood that the goal In the late 1970s, when the administra- Lesley Dorman’s friends and col- of AAFSW was to insert a non-bureau- tion decided to revise the Foreign Service leagues remember her with admiration cratic office into a bureaucratic structure. Act of 1946, Mrs. Dorman steered AAFSW and affection as an unfailingly loyal and As Mette Beecroft recalls in a September to a seat at the table, registering the group fascinating friend with a wonderful sense tribute from the AAFSW Board: “We used as a bona fide lobbying entity and, with of humor. Even when she was involved in to say, ‘The FLO is in the bureaucracy but others, gave testimony to the Senate thorny discussions, they recall, she was not of the bureaucracy.’” Foreign Relations Committee, the House never “all work and no play.” She loved Further reflecting her keen under- Foreign Affairs Committee and the White tennis, both as player and spectator— standing of State Department bureau- House Conference on Families. especially the matches at Wimbledon. cratic realities, Mrs. Dorman insisted that The result was a clause in the Foreign From time to time, they recall, she the new Family Liaison Office be admin- Service Act of 1980 stipulating that the would say: “We need a good giggle!” This istratively placed directly under the Under “…Foreign Service pension be equally would mean no shop talk and going out Secretary for Management, rather than at divided by spouses upon divorce unless for lunch—or even, on one memorable a lower level. an agreement or court order existed to the occasion, for high tea at the Mayflower She pursued numerous conversations contrary.” Hotel. with the Secretary of State, the Under During the last two years of Mrs. Dor- Friends and colleagues also remem- Secretary for Management, the Director man’s AAFSW presidency, a new area ber her as an irreplaceable driving force General of the Foreign Service and the of concern appeared. During the Iran whose legacy is an inspiration to all. Directors of USAID and USIA to ensure hostage crisis from 1979 to 1981 it became Through AAFSW, Mrs. Dorman did an that their agencies’ concerns were taken obvious that the U.S. government needed enormous amount to improve the qual- into consideration. to establish better support for diplomatic ity of life of Foreign Service spouses and FLO opened officially in March 1978. families in times of international emer- families. From the outset, and to the surprise of gency. The FORUM started work on a Mrs. Dorman is survived by her hus- some inside the Department of State, the report, “Families in Situations of Interna- band of 65 years, Philip Dorman, and two new office was a resounding success. tional Crisis.” sons, Mark and Tim, of Washington, D.C. Mrs. Dorman’s engagement on behalf In addition, with Mrs. Dorman’s of the Foreign Service community did not encouragement, AAFSW established fruit- n Joske Y. Duffield, 93, the widow of stop there. While AAFSW president she ful cooperation with the Overseas Briefing former FSO Thomas Jefferson (Jeff) -Duff also supported creation of the Overseas Center to produce What Do I Do Now? A ield Jr., died on Oct. 10 in Denver, Colo., of Briefing Center, to provide a source of Sourcebook on Regulations, Allowances chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

84 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Born Josephine Yvonne van Geelen in Bandung, Java, in the former Netherlands East Indies, to Karel Lodewijk van Geelen and Theodora (Dolly) Henriette Antonia (née Liveu, subsequently van Geelen, then van Dijke) Hoekstra, Mrs. Duffield grew up with her father in the pampered, colonial-era Dutch society in what is today Indonesia. She also spent three years (1928-1931) with her mother in the Netherlands. She was working as a steno-typist for the Dutch Civil Air Protection Services in Surabaya when the Japanese invaded and occupied the Netherlands East Indies. As chief administrative officer of the State Railways for East Java, Mrs. Duffield’s father was taken into custody by the Kem- peitai shortly after Dutch capitulation in March 1942, and she never saw him again. Mrs. Duffield spent the war years in three Japanese internment camps on Java— Darmowijk in Surabaya, and Gedangan and Lampersari in Semarang. After the Japanese surrender, Mrs. Duffield returned to Surabaya to search for her father. Her quick thinking and fear- lessness saved the lives of residents of the house in which she lived from marauding mobs of young Indonesian nationalists. When she refused to be evacuated, she was imprisoned by the nationalists in the Simpang Club, thereby surviving the ensu- ing Massacre of Surabaya in November 1945. When the nationalists were forced to retreat inland, she was released by Deibel Effendi and subsequently worked for the Take AFSA With You! Allied British Military Police until they Change your address online, handed over power to their Dutch succes- visit us at www.afsa.org/address Moving? sors in April 1946. Or Mrs. Duffield returned to the Nether- Send changes to: lands in August 1946 and there met her AFSA Membership Department future husband. FSO Thomas Duffield 2101 E Street NW was posted to Rotterdam and had rented Washington, DC 20037 a room in Mrs. Hoekstra’s fifth-floor flat

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 85 in one of the few buildings in central Rot- Elaine Klein of Seattle, Wash., Lily Duffield terdam to survive the Blitz. They married of Washington, D.C., and Emily Duffield in 1948, at the Church of Saint Mary in of Aurora; and one great-granddaughter, Rotterdam. Eliora Rosenklein of Seattle. The Duffields’ first daughter was born in Rotterdam the following year. Mrs. n Mary Catherine Thompson Mar- Duffield became a U.S. citizen in 1950 tin, 89, a retired Foreign Service Office in Boston, Mass. She accompanied her Management Specialist, died on Sept. 2 in husband over the course of his career to Austin, Texas. Saigon (1950-1952), where their second Mrs. Martin joined the Foreign Service daughter was born; Frankfurt (1952-1955), in 1950. Her first assignment was to Bonn, where their third daughter was born; and that was followed by postings in Istan- Madrid (1955-1956); Porto (1956-1958), bul and Madrid. where their son was born; Washington, In Istanbul, Mrs. Martin was chosen D.C. (1958-1962); and Porto Alegre (1963- to be in a State Department recruiting 1967). film featuring a Foreign Service woman By the time the Duffields settled in at work and play. While horseback riding Potomac, Md., in 1967, Mrs. Duffield had with two Turkish cavalry officers during learned to speak seven languages. After the film shoot, her stallion unexpectedly working as a clerical accounting supervi- bolted and ran. She was rescued on film sor/auditor in GEICO’s Washington, D.C., by one of the officers. The episode was offices, she accepted a position in their covered in American newspapers, as well. newly opened Denver, Colo., office in the During her assignment in Madrid, Mrs. summer of 1970. Martin met a handsome Spanish surgeon She moved back to Bethesda, Md., in on a train. She resigned from the Foreign mid-1974, but returned to Colorado in Service (as was required at the time) to mid-1977, where her career in the finan- become his wife and the mother of three cial sector moved her through the ranks at sons. most of Denver’s largest banks. She retired In 1979, she returned to the Foreign in 1986. Service and subsequently served as an A long-time resident of Aurora, Colo., OMS in Panama, El Salvador, Nigeria, Mrs. Duffield was an enthusiastic ice Peru, Greece and at the department, retir- hockey fan and enjoyed gardening, ing in 1994. shopping and her grandchildren. She With the sophistication and charm of a was thrilled to have met her first great- Southern belle, Mrs. Martin had person- grandchild a few weeks before her death. ality and presence. She was a friend to A smoker for much of her life, she battled everyone, Americans and foreign nationals emphysema for many years. alike, on the embassy’s staff. At the embas- Mrs. Duffield was predeceased by sies and places she served, she was also her husband, who died in 1984. She is known for her philanthropic activities. survived by her four children, Barbara She volunteered with Mother Teresa’s Duffield of Concord, Mass., Judy (Klein) Missionaries of Charity, collecting food Greenberg of San Antonio, Texas, Caroline and clothing from Mission members and Duffield of Denver, Colo., and James others for the needy, and met Mother Duffield of Aurora; four granddaughters, Teresa herself twice. In Athens she orga- Meredith Klein of Santa Monica, Calif., nized a community campaign to provide

86 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL medical help for hundreds of sick and a UNESCO program that provided a frame- homeless street cats. work for international collaboration in Mrs. Martin is survived by her sisters, efforts at sustainable development, biodi- Sister Edith, Daughter of Charity, and versity and natural resource management. Aimee Thompson; two brothers, Paul and Following stints in management opera- Hays Thompson; sons Rafael, Joe and tions and as economic counselor in Quito, Michael Martin of Austin, Texas; and four Mr. Olson retired from the Foreign Service grandchildren. in 1984. He kept busy after retirement, spend- n Oscar J. Olson Jr., 83, a retired For- ing a year at the international office of the eign Service officer, died of cancer on Aug. Smithsonian Institution and working for 28 in Alexandria, Va. the private firm Business Environment Mr. Olson was born in Corpus Christi, Risk Information. Texas. His love of travel began with road He also began working part-time as trips his family took to Mexico and across a senior reviewer with the State Depart- the United States. He began to consider ment’s Freedom of Information Act office, foreign service as a career—and took the a position he held for 20 years, until first of his many voyages by ocean liner November 2015. when he spent a summer at the University Mr. Olson took an active part in the of Oslo. A graduate of the University of second-career ministry of his late wife, Texas at Austin and Yale University, he the Rev. Patricia Olson, trading worldwide served in the U.S. Army in Germany. postings for service as a pastor’s spouse at Entering the Foreign Service in 1957, United Methodist churches big and small Mr. Olson’s first post was Caracas, where across northern and central Virginia. he served as a consular officer and staff He continued to indulge his love of aide to the ambassador. He next served travel and passenger liners, and was active as an administrative officer in Barcelona, in DACOR, the Civitan Club of Arlington where, as principal liaison with the U.S. and the Norwegian Society, among oth- Navy, he would accompany naval officers ers. At Greenspring Retirement Village from the Sixth Fleet on courtesy calls to in Springfield, Va., one of his many roles the Spanish admiral. included playing piano for singalongs. Most of his career was spent in eco- Mr. Olson is survived by his brother, nomic/commercial positions, beginning John M. Olson (and his wife, Claudia) in 1964 in Juarez, where he was also the of Corpus Christi, Texas; a son, Michael only American member of the Juarez A. Olson, of Amsterdam; two daughters, Rotary Club. After a year of mid-career Kirsten O. Pruski (and her husband, post-graduate work at Tufts University’s Ken) of Dallas, Texas, and Kathleen K. Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, he Olson (and her husband, John Beatty) of was assigned to Intelligence and Research Allentown, Pa.; and five grandchildren: in the Western European office and then Sarah, Audrey, Paul, Daniel and Benjamin to the economics section in West Berlin. Pruski. From there he was assigned to Panama, returning stateside after two years to serve n Ellen Kruger Radday, 79, wife of as the executive director of the inter- the late USIA FSO Harold Franz Radday, agency committee responsible for U.S. died peacefully on July 3, 2016, in Arling- participation in “Man and the Biosphere,” ton, Va., of pancreatic cancer.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 87 Mrs. Radday was born in 1937 to Carl in-laws, nieces and nephews. cheerful personality. Because she always and Vera (Sommers) Kruger of San Fran- Memorial donations can be made wanted to attend her own funeral, her cisco, Calif. She received a bachelor’s in Ellen Radday’s memory to a group of friends organized such an event three degree at Lone Mountain College and your choice, or to Mary’s Pence (www. years ago, cleverly disguising it as her earned a master’s degree in social work maryspence.org). 90th birthday party. She was delighted from Catholic University, after which to visit with all who came. she worked in adoption services at Cath- n Evelyn Shoup Reed, 93, a retired Ms. Reed was preceded in death by olic Charities. Later in life she attended Foreign Service secretary, died on Sept. her sister Lorraine, who died at age 14, Washington Theological Union, com- 22 in Salt Lake City, Utah. and her mother, Martha Hagen. She is pleted clinical pastoral education, and Ms. Reed was born on March 17, survived by several cousins and their became certified as a chaplain. 1923, in Salt Lake City, where she and families. In 1961 Ellen married Harold Franz her older sister Lorraine were raised by Radday of Brooklyn and accompanied their mother, Martha VanCott Shoup n JoAnn Stoneman, 92, wife of the him throughout his Foreign Service Hagen. Evelyn graduated from South late FSO Walter (Stoney) Stoneman, died career with the U.S. Information Agency High in 1941. on June 20, 2016, in Oro Valley, Ariz. (1963-1989), raising their three children After a brief marriage, she went to Born on March 30, 1924, in Teaneck, in Kenya, Zanzibar, the Côte d’Ivoire, work for the United States government N.J., Mrs. Stoneman grew up in New Jer- Central African Republic, Belgium, in 1943. Originally based in Salt Lake sey, Florida and Washington, D.C., and Malta and West Germany. City, she later transferred to San Fran- completed high school, in French, in Mrs. Radday was active in embassy cisco. Montreal. She graduated from Skidmore communities, volunteered in the chil- In 1958, she began her service with College in 1946. dren’s schools and was the embassy’s the State Department Foreign Service She went to work for the State Community Liaison Officer in Bonn. On and spent the next 15 years working in Department in Washington, D.C., and the family’s return to Washington, D.C., various embassies around the world. there met her future husband, Walter in 1986, she joined the National Associa- Ms. Reed’s first overseas post was Stoneman, whom she married in 1949. tion of Catholic Chaplains and worked Yemen. Tours of duty in Pakistan, Nepal, Mrs. Stoneman was an active Foreign as a chaplain at Holy Cross Hospital, the Netherlands and Taiwan, as well as Service wife. The family maintained a Sibley Memorial Hospital and Manor Washington, D.C., followed. home in Fairfax, Va., and accompanied Care Nursing Home. Once while stationed in Washington, Mr. Stoneman to postings in Burma and She participated in faith-sharing D.C., she had a brush with greatness Honduras. In 1976 the couple retired to groups (including Cursillo and Part- when Walter Cronkite held the door for Arizona. ners) and was an influential advocate her as they were entering the United Mrs. Stoneman volunteered in hos- for social justice and reform, working Nations Information Center. pitals in both Fairfax, Va., and Tucson, with Voice of the Faithful/SNAP, Call After a 30-year career in government Ariz. She enjoyed reading widely, par- to Action, FutureChurch, the Women’s service, Ms. Reed retired in 1973. She ticularly about theology and Christi- Ordination Conference and the Inten- and her mother then moved to Sun City, anity. She showed an amazing knack tional Eucharistic Communities/Com- Ariz., where they enjoyed several years with plants and had a love for Boston munitas. of sunshine and good friends. In 1978 terriers. She was a member of St. Odilia’s Mrs. Radday was preceded in death they moved back to the Salt Lake City Catholic Church where she started the by her husband, who died in 2011, her area. Over the next few years, Ms. Reed Blessed Sacrament Chapel for Eucharis- brother Peter Kruger and sister Dolo- cared for her mother through Martha’s tic Adoration in 1984. res Rodriguez. She is survived by her journey into dementia until her death Mrs. Stoneman was widowed in 1995. children Michael (Sherri), Elizabeth from Alzheimer’s disease in 1988. She is survived by her children Barbara (Richard Starr) and Jeanne Marie (Sana After that, Ms. Reed lived at the and Steven, and four grandchildren. n Georges); beloved grandchildren Nicho- Millcreek Retirement Center. Friends las, Victoria, Melissa and Sophia; and remember her for her quick wit and

88 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL BOOKS

Mulling Over the Bay of Pigs fiasco; construction his personal connections, Murrow Myth of the Berlin Wall; the Cuban that outreach was quite Missile Crisis; nuclear testing fruitful. Murrow’s Cold War: Public Diplomacy and arms control; and the The second, titled for the Kennedy Administration Vietnam War. simply “Birmingham,” Gregory M. Tomlin, Potomac Books, Tomlin’s take on each addresses one of Murrow’s 2016, $34.95/hardcover, $24.07/ policy, and on USIA’s effec- finest hours as USIA direc- Kindle, 400 pages. tiveness in selling the U.S. tor. Despite great pressure Reviewed By Steven Alan Honley line under Murrow’s leader- from both the White House ship, is tough but fair. For and Congress to stand down, In March 1961 America’s most promi- example, despite the good he insisted that the Voice of nent and respected journalist, Edward intentions underlying the America must cover the civil R. Murrow, ended a 25-year career with Alliance for Progress, he considers it a rights movement—and its bloody the Columbia Broadcasting System noble failure. repression by Southern demagogues— to serve President John F. Kennedy as Tomlin faces a stiff challenge in dis- fully and objectively. director of the United States Informa- cussing the Cuban Missile Crisis: Mur- As Murrow explained during a Feb. tion Agency. This exhaustive (and, row was seriously ill in October 1962 26, 1962, address congratulating VOA at times, exhausting) work assesses with what was diagnosed as pneumo- employees on the 20th anniversary of Murrow’s efforts to improve the global nia at the time, but was very likely the their broadcast service: perception of the United States as a way to advance U.S. foreign policy. Gregory M. Tomlin, its author, is a Tomlin’s take on Murrow’s performance as former assistant professor of history at Pres. Kennedy’s USIA director is tough but fair. the United States Military Academy at West Point. Even if the book jacket had not told me that, I would have guessed something of the sort from Tomlin’s lung cancer that would force the heavy “It is our task to bring our story faithful adherence to the military brief- smoker to resign in early 1964 and kill around the world in its most favor- ing model of “Tell ’em what you’re going him the next year. able light. … But as part of the cause of to tell ’em; tell ’em; then tell ’em what Deftly working around that obstacle, freedom, and the arm of freedom, we you just told ’em!” Tomlin shows how well the bureaucratic are obliged to tell our story in a truthful The result is a book that has many and journalistic structures Murrow way—to tell it, as Oliver Cromwell said virtues, but also requires considerable had established at 1776 Pennsylvania about his portrait, ‘Paint us with all our tenacity to fully appreciate its insights. Avenue Northwest (USIA’s symbolically blemishes and warts, all those things Happily, Tomlin’s introduction, “Public rich street address) functioned during about us that may not be so immedi- Diplomacy for a New Frontier,” is a the crisis, even in his absence. ately attractive.’” model of clarity and cogency—almost Two other chapters examine USIA’s Tomlin concedes that Murrow was worth the price of the book by itself. domestic operations. The first, “Mr. not as successful at that grand endeavor His overview of how public diplomacy Murrow Goes to Hollywood,” docu- as his myth suggests. But he makes a evolved during the 20th century is one ments Murrow’s campaign to entice compelling case that he was utterly of the best explanations of that develop- the film and television industries to dedicated to the cause. ment I’ve ever run across. collaborate more closely with Uncle For most of Murrow’s Cold War, Sam. (As Murrow commented in 1962, Steven Alan Honley, a State Department Tomlin devotes chapters to case studies “I don’t mind being called a propa- Foreign Service officer from 1985 to 1997, of Pres. Kennedy’s “Alliance for Prog- gandist, so long as the propaganda is is the Journal’s contributing editor. ress” outreach to Latin America and the based on the truth.”) Thanks largely to

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 89 The Ups and Downs of Great Depression. while doing nothing special to upgrade U.S.-Vatican Relations Ecclesiastically, the Catholic Church bilateral contacts, were at least more in the United States had just ceased receptive to the Holy See’s concerns. A Bridge Across the Ocean: The United being treated as missionary territory but Herbert Hoover’s election, following a States and the Holy See Between the still remained devoid of policy experi- general campaign filled with anti-Cath- Two World Wars ence or political connections in the olic prejudices, left a bitter taste; but Luca Castagna, Washington: The Catho- public square. the 1929 Lateran Treaty, establishing lic University of America Press, 2014, Wilsonian progressivism was also the Vatican City State, ended the hardcover, $49.95, 193 pages. coupled with a strong nativ- issue of papal territory. Reviewed By John Grondelski ist strain: the 28th presi- Changes in U.S.-Vatican dent was as anti-Catholic relations would await two U.S.-Holy See relations have certainly as he was anti-black and new figures in the 1930s. had their ups and downs. Several Amer- anti-immigrant. FDR’s 1932 election, with ican consuls served in the Papal States Residual anti-Catholi- heavy Catholic ethnic during the first half of the 19th century, cism would color U.S. poli- support, allowed him to but the Senate prohibited funding for tics through the rise of the hawk his New Deal as an representation there in 1867. second Ku Klux Klan in the embodiment of Catholic Relations were not finally normal- 1920s and the Catholic-baiting social teaching. His ized until 1984. In the interim, there of Al Smith in 1928. Catholics growing concerns with were only informal contacts or the occa- found a place in the political European fascism found sional presidential representatives. sun only within FDR’s New Deal resonance in Eugenio Pacelli, papal Castagna’s pioneering book treats coalition. nuncio to Germany and later Vatican Secretary of State. Pacelli’s 1936 visit to Hyde Park Wilsonian progressivism was also coupled with a strong paved the way for closer bilateral coop- eration as war approached and, when nativist strain: the 28th president was as anti-Catholic Pacelli became Pope Pius XII in 1939, as he was anti-black and anti-immigrant. provided a personal tie to the White House. The growing contacts led even- tually to the unofficial Myron Taylor bilateral contacts during the 25 years, Against this background, Castagna mission during the war years. roughly, between the beginnings of the shows how the Catholic Church, under Castagna weaves diplomatic and First and Second World Wars—a histori- Pope Benedict XV, hoped to engage with ecclesiastical sources together into this cally significant swath of time from the the neutral United States to promote first book-length treatment of U.S.-Holy viewpoint of international, domestic papal peace and arbitration efforts dur- See relations during a critical quarter- and ecclesiastical events. ing World War I. century of world history. Internationally, the interlude brack- The anti-Catholic president, who Highly readable, A Bridge Across eted by the two world wars saw the rise had his own visions for world order, the Ocean demonstrates how politics, of totalitarianism in Germany, Italy and regarded the Church as pro-Central prejudice and pragmatism all shaped Russia. Domestically, America’s rise Powers and, now bereft of territory our contacts with the papacy between to world leadership at the dawn of the following Italian unification, seeking 1914 and 1939. n 20th century led, first, to neutrality and its temporal interests as a non-State at then to an activist Wilsonian crusade to the expense of Allied Italy. As active as John M. Grondelski is an FSO who has “make the world safe for democracy.” the Holy See’s efforts were, they found a served in Shanghai, Bern, Warsaw, London America recoiled from that in its “return deaf ear in the Wilson White House. and in Washington, D.C., on the Russia to normalcy” and, later, experienced the Harding, Coolidge and Hoover, Desk.

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Located in Dupont Circle, we designed our apartments Mall and Metro station. as places where we’d like to live and work—beautifully furnished and Tax Matters Associates PC fully equipped (including Internet & satellite TV). Most importantly, we 4420 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 500 understand that occasionally needs change, so we never penalize you if Arlington VA 22203 you leave early. You only pay for the nights you stay, even if your plans Tel: (703) 522-3828. change at the last minute. We also don’t believe in minimum stays or Fax: (703) 522-5726. extra charges like application or cleaning fees. And we always work with Email: [email protected] you on per diem. Tel: (202) 536-2500. Email: [email protected] Website: www.dcguestapartments.com

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 91 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

FURNISHED LUXURY APARTMENTS. Short/long-term. Best locations: LOOKING to BUY, SELL or RENT REAL ESTATE in NORTHERN VIR- Dupont Circle, Georgetown. Utilities included. All price ranges/sizes. GINIA or MARYLAND? Former FSO and Peace Corps Country Director Parking available. living in NoVA understands your unique needs and can expertly guide Tel: (202) 251-9482. you through your real estate experience and transition. Professionalism Email: [email protected] is just a phone call away. Call Alex for solutions. Alex Boston, REALTOR, JD, MPA SERVING FOREIGN SERVICE PERSONNEL FOR 25 YEARS, Long & Foster ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH PETS. All within a short walk of Metro sta- 6299 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church VA 22044 tions in Arlington. Fully furnished and equipped 1 -4 bedrooms, within Tel: (571) 533-9566. per diem rates. Email: [email protected] EXECUTIVE LODGING ALTERNATIVES. Website: alexboston.LnF.com Email: [email protected] MAIN STATE OR FSI BOUND? For nearly 30 years, I have guided DC LUXE PROPERTIES. In business for more than 20 years, our hundreds of Foreign Service clients through the real estate process. luxurious fully furnished and equipped apartments are uniquely Real estate is among the most important financial and life decisions ours. We don’t rent out “other people’s apartments” like most other most of us make. You deserve to have the guidance and expertise of providers of temporary housing. We specialize in fully renovated a seasoned real estate professional. historic properties in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, close to Contact Marilyn Cantrell, Associate Broker, licensed in VA and DC. everything, for the authentic D.C. experience. All our apartments McEnearney Associates have their own washer/dryer units and individual heating/cool- 1320 Old Chain Bridge Rd., Ste. 350 ing controls, as well as Internet and cable TV, etc. We never charge McLean VA 22101 application or cleaning fees, and work with you on per diem. Please Tel: (703) 860-2096. look at our website to view our beautiful apartments and pick out Email: [email protected] your next home in D.C. Website: www.MarilynCantrell.com Tel: (202) 462-4304. Email: [email protected] FLORIDA’S PARADISE COAST—Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero. Excel- Website: www.dcluxe.com lent amenities, activities, cultural events in beautiful Southwest Florida. Outstanding home values. Interested in another area? With an extensive ARLINGTON FLATS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 BR flats/houses in 25 properties network, I am able to assist statewide or nationwide. located in the Clarendon/Ballston corridor. Newly renovated, completely Thomas M. Farley, LLC. Retired SFS. furnished, all-inclusive (parking, maid, utilities). Rates start at $2750/ Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty. mo. We work with per diem. Check out our listings. Welcoming Foreign Service for the last decade! Email: [email protected] Tel: (703) 527-1614. Ask for Claire or Jonathan. Email: [email protected] n INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION Website: www.SunnysideProperty.net ADOPT WHILE POSTED OVERSEAS! Adopt Abroad, Incorporated, was n PROPERTY MANAGEMENT created to assist expatriates with their adoption needs. U.S.-licensed and Hague-accredited. We conduct adoption home studies and child place- NORTHERN VIRGINIA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT. Are you look- ment services, caseworkers based worldwide. ing for a competent manager to take care of your home when you go to Adopt Abroad, Inc. post this summer? Based in McLean, Va., Peake Management, Inc. has 1424 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg PA worked with Foreign Service officers for over 30 years. We are active Tel: (888) 526-4442. board members of the Foreign Service Youth Foundation and many Website: www.adopt-abroad.com other community organizations. We really care about doing a good job in renting and managing your home, so we’re always seeking cutting-edge n PET TRANSPORTATION technology to improve service to our clients, from innovative market- ing to active online access to your account. We offer a free, copyrighted PET SHIPPING WORLDWIDE: ACTION PET Landlord Reference Manual to guide you through the entire preparation, EXPRESS has over 44 years in business. 24-hr. rental and management process, or just give our office a call to talk to the service, operated by a U.S. Army veteran, associate agent specializing in your area. Peake Management, Inc. is a licensed, member AFSA. Contact: Jerry Mishler. full-service real estate broker. Tel: (681) 252-0266 or (855) 704-6682. 6842 Elm St., Suite 303, McLean VA 22101 Email: [email protected] Tel: (703) 448-0212. Website: WWW.ACTIONPETEXPRESS.COM Email: [email protected] Website: www.peakeinc.com n VACATIONS n REAL ESTATE CARRIACOU, GRENADINES. TWO-OCEAN VIEW house in Caribbean LOOKING TO BUY, sell or rent property in Northern Virginia? This on four acres. Two bedrooms. $800/week. former SFSO with 15 years of real estate experience understands your Check out link: www.korjus.x10host.com/wells/index.htm needs and can help. References available. David Olinger, GRI Long & Foster, Realtors. n BOOKS Tel: (703) 864-3196. Email: [email protected] Preferring war, Southern negotiators Website: www.davidolinger.lnf.com rejected an opportunity to take Fort Sumter peacefully. Twelve American Wars NOVA REAL ESTATE Advocate and Expert. A former FSO and com- by Eugene Windchy mercial real estate attorney, Liz Lord with Keller Williams Realty works Kindle $3.03 at Amazon tirelessly to make sure her clients find the right home at the right price. Contact Liz to find your way home! Licensed in VA. PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD: $1.60/word (10-word min). Hyperlink $11 in Keller Williams Realty online edition. Bold text 1.00/word. 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REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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u REGULAR INSPECTIONS u ENJOY PEACE OF MIND u u u RENTAL SERVICES

ho’s taking care of your home W ADWhen contactin g oneINDEX of our advertisers, kindly mention while you’re away? you saw their advertisement in The Foreign Service Journal. REGULAR REPORTS REGULAR REPORTS

u ANNOUNCEMENTS u o one takes care of your home like we do!

N 24 HOUR ON-CALL SUPPORT AFSA Scholarship Deadlines / 75 Coming Soon—Complete FSJ Archives Online! / 93 While you’re overseas, we’ll help you Honor a Colleague / 43 manage your home without the hassles. No panicky messages, just regular FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND TAX SERVICES reports. No unexpected surprises, Classifieds / 91, 92 just peace of mind. CLASSIFIED ADS Property management is rson G Carrington Financial Planning / 79 OVER 24 YEARS EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE YEARS 24 OVER r our full time business. eye ou David L. Mortimer, CPA / 77 p, Let us take care u M I MCG Financial Planning / 81 e n c. of the details. h u Irving & Company, CPA / 75 T EXCELLENT REFERENCES HOUSING Attaché Corporate Housing / 21 Corporate Apartment Specialists / 21 Residence Inn–Arlington/Rosslyn / 47 Call us today! Signature Properties / 31 (301) 657-3210 SuiteAmerica / 31

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MISCELLANEOUS AFSA Membership / 79 B. David Company / Inside Back Cover Change of Address / 85 DACOR Bacon House / 87 EF Academy / 3 Eyes & Ears / 47 Foxcroft School / 77 Fund for American Diplomacy / Inside Front Cover, 81 Star-Lite / 82

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96 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL REFLECTIONS

Rip Van Winkle in the Foreign Service

BY DONNA SCARAMASTRA GORMAN

e were gone for a decade, Didn’t anybody realize I’d been off living in Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. on a decade-long adventure? WWhen you land in Beijing without knowing a word of Chinese, you expect to be overwhelmed. As a woman data to me, telling him I’d been overseas decade-long adventure? who doesn’t cover in a Muslim country, so long that I still remembered unplug- I had to stifle the urge to casually you know you’ll get some curious, maybe ging the phone in my old house in order mention this fact to the guy behind the even hostile, stares. to access dial-up internet. counter slicing the cheese. “We didn’t But when you go “home” again, noth- He looked vaguely interested. Or have this kind of cheese in Jordan,” I ing quite prepares you for the feeling of appalled, maybe. He had those strange wanted to tell him, just to make sure he being a stranger in your own city. My first plastic hole things embedded in each knew I was different somehow. day back, I watched in confusion as the ear, stretching his earlobes to the size of Repatriating is a strange beast. You people in line in front of me at the coffee silver dollars. It made me feel vaguely want to fit in; you want to stand out. shop put their phones up to a scanner, ill, staring through those holes while he Sure, it’s great that people here mostly one after another. What on earth were talked. stop for red lights, and nobody drives they doing? Who knew you could pay for Everywhere I went, I felt compelled down the sidewalk. But you miss that a latte with your phone? to explain—Rip Van Winkle-style—that I sense of wonderment combined with I paid cash. It took a while, because wasn’t really a foreigner, it’s just that I’d annoyance that you used to feel every I had to pick through my wallet, search- been away. A few people nodded sym- time a shepherd crossed the highway ing for proper American coins amongst pathetically. “State Department, right?” with his flock during your morning com- the kopecks, euros and dinar. I gave the they’d ask, before moving on. Most mute. cashier a broad grin, “I just came back people didn’t care at all. I’m sitting at the kitchen table in our from Russia.” She stared back at me Sometimes, walking through the gro- temporary apartment, going over the blankly, confused by my confusion. cery store aisles, I’d get a bit dizzy. Those bills with my husband, trying to figure Once fully caffeinated, I needed to bright ceiling lights! The shiny floors! The out how to pay for everything associ- purchase a phone and a phone plan. At row upon endless row of breakfast cereal! ated with this move. How much money my last two posts, I was given an option: Everything seemed overwhelming, and will he make here in the States? How Do you want this plan? Or no plan at all? I was certain the other shoppers were all will I find a job after 10 years of random Here they won’t sell you a phone plan laughing at my befuddlement. embassy employment? until you tell them how many gigabytes Other times, though, I realized One of the kids wanders by, and sighs of data you’ll be using. And will you be nobody was noticing me at all. Did I deeply. “Will we ever go on an airplane streaming Spotify? How about Netflix? really look the same as all of these other again? Maybe just to the Caribbean? Or Again, I grinned foolishly and asked suburban parents wandering the aisles? to Cuba?” he asks. The whole family, it the salesperson to explain gigabytes of Didn’t anybody realize I’d been off on a seems, is waking up to our new real- ity—the idea of a life lived at home in the Donna Scaramastra Gorman is a freelance writer whose work has appeared United States, the way normal people in Newsweek, The Washington Post and the Christian Science Monitor. An FS do it. spouse, she has lived in Amman, Moscow, Yerevan, Almaty and Beijing. Gorman, It’s hard being normal again, after all her Diplomatic Security officer husband and four children recently returned to those years spent not fitting in. n the Washington, D.C., area.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 97 LOCAL LENS

BY FRANCESCA KELLY n MESTIA, GEORGIA

his is Mestia, in the Caucasian Svaneti region of Georgia. The region’s medieval Please submit your favorite, recent photograph to towers, which number nearly 300 or so, were built either as fortresses against be considered for Local clan warfare or as bunkers against avalanches—perhaps both. They are gener- Lens. Images must be high ally attached to stone houses that feature one great room with a fire for cooking, resolution (at least 300 dpi T at 8” x 10”, or 1 MB or larger) sleeping areas around the outside for both people and livestock, and a “newlywed’s alcove” and must not be in print for privacy. Most of the descendants of the original families who built the towers still own elsewhere. Please include a short description of the them. In other words, these towers have stayed in the family for 1,000 years! n scene/event, as well as your name, brief biodata and the type of camera used, Francesca Kelly is the spouse of U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly and a frequent contributor to [email protected]. to The Foreign Service Journal. She took this photo with a BLU cell phone on Oct. 17 after the first snowfall of the season.

98 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL