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Becoming a Ambassador or Diplomat?
- Thread starter bradler
- Start date
Contribute a lot of money to a winning Presidential candidate, get named Ambassador. That is not a joke.
In order to become a diplomat, you have to join the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer. You recieve a commision just like a military officer and there are several different career paths after you become an FSO. When Colin Powell was Secretary of State he made a point of trying to recruit former military officers into the Foreign Service. Here are some links:
http://www.careers.state.gov/officer/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Foreign_Service
http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/profiles/dayInLife.asp?careerID=53
Compromise is to seek an Embassy assignment as an Attaché. Of course, there are good deal assignment and some that are really the pits. If you are good at it, you can make out like a bandit (know one guy who didn't screen, went over to life in an Embassy taking a hard assignment and ultimately rising to 0-6)
Harrier Dude
Living the dream
I talked to a bunch of FSOs at an embassy about this. What an odd system. Basically, you can work your ass off as a State Department guy for twenty years or so and then, "Congratulations! You're the new Ambassador to Nigeria (or somewhere else that really sucks)!" while some jackass who has never worked a day in his life as a diplomat gets to be the Ambassador to Germany (or somewhere else really cool).
That would be like having a CO of your squadron just show up out of thin air from civvy street and you have to work for him as a DH.
Like I said, weird.
That would be like having a CO of your squadron just show up out of thin air from civvy street and you have to work for him as a DH.
Like I said, weird.
I was considering this avenue at one time. I even interviewed a few times. Then I recovered and went with the airlines. Be prepared to become a whore and get used to the term BOHICA if you choose to work for State or any other government entity.
Sorry if I sound cynical ...
There's also talk of the Foreign Service officers being used to fulfill the missions that IA dudes are doing right now - provincial reconstruction teams, etc overseas.
http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3161214
http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3161214
Harrier Dude
Living the dream
I thought the opposite was true, that they wanted military dudes to take some of the state department duties? I read that somewhere.
@A4s: You chose wisely. I think that you're just a little too straightforward and honest to be a diplomat. I know I couldn't/wouldn't want to do it myself.
@A4s: You chose wisely. I think that you're just a little too straightforward and honest to be a diplomat. I know I couldn't/wouldn't want to do it myself.
MasterBates
Well-Known Member
A4s would make a great diplomat to countries we are at war with. That whole "Negotiate with your knee in their chest, and your knife at their throat" thing.
All good comments thus far. The new FAO designator also looks like a good way to get your foot in the door. Language skillz and advanced degrees probably won't hurt your chances either. When I've climbed as far as I can in the Aviation community, this is where I'm probably going to move towards.
Brett
Brett
MasterBates
Well-Known Member
God help us...
It is pretty straightforward, do the military thing until you are done, get out, apply for a job w/ Dept of State.
If you want to be an Ambassador you can be a political appointee or "rise from the ranks." If you have a lot of military background, you might prefer something like DSS (Diplomatic Security Service). Then you could go to an embassy and be the RSO (Regional Security Officer) who would be in charge of security there - with a contingent of Marines and local foreign nationals under you.
If you want to be an Ambassador you can be a political appointee or "rise from the ranks." If you have a lot of military background, you might prefer something like DSS (Diplomatic Security Service). Then you could go to an embassy and be the RSO (Regional Security Officer) who would be in charge of security there - with a contingent of Marines and local foreign nationals under you.
I've heard good things about being an attache' and flying as part of your job.
Along those lines, if you try and get a post as an attache' and part of the job requirement is to fly C-12's, does that mean you have to be qual'd on that beforehand or do you get trained up before you go?
Either way, I think I'm like Brett. If this aviation thing ever pans out, FAO sounds like a pretty sweet deal.
Along those lines, if you try and get a post as an attache' and part of the job requirement is to fly C-12's, does that mean you have to be qual'd on that beforehand or do you get trained up before you go?
Either way, I think I'm like Brett. If this aviation thing ever pans out, FAO sounds like a pretty sweet deal.
I flew with guys in Honduras and they had never been near one until they got the job. That would severely limit the pool they could draw from.
Come on, you're missing the single most awesome-est thing about being a diplomat/ambassador: you get to walk around and say "Diplomatic immunity." But you have to say it w/ a cool accent and deep voice. Oh, and sound very foreboding.
Sorry, I have nothing constructive to contribute.