citizen. However, the spouse must be naturalized before the candidate can be appointed as a Foreign Service Officer. Education: No specific requirements, but successful completion of the written and oral examinations requires broad knowledge of foreign and domestic affairs, current events, and US history, government, and culture. The majority of candidates have traditionally been college graduates, but men and women with professional and vocational experience outside of college alos are encouraged to take the entrance examination. Languages: No specific requirement, but once appointed, an officer is expected to acquire an acceptable level of proficiency in at least one foreign language. Training is provided by the Department of State or USIA as necessary at government expense. B. Salary: Depending on a candidate's qualifications, appointments start C. Selection process consists of 5 stages: - Written exam, held every December in 244 US cities, essay. - Oral exam for candidates passing the written exam. Conducted by panels in Washington and in as many other US cities as budgetary considerations permit. Oral must take place within 9 months after passing the written exam or the candidacy will automatically terminate. However, a reasonable extension may be granted by the Board of Examiners if the candidate is continuously outside the US during the entire 9-month period for reasons acceptable to the Board. - Medical exam for each candidate who passes the oral and for any dependents who will accompany the candidate abroad if appointed. The cost of the medical examinations is borne by State or USIA. - Background investigation is made of each candidate who passes the orals. - Final evaluation of all available information concerning the candidate in relation to others competing in the same functional specialty. Decision is then made as to whether the candidate's name should be placed on the pertinent appointments register. Additional information may be obtained by writing to the Board of Examiners, Department of State, Washington, D. C. 20520. "2. Foreign Service Staff Personnel Must be at least 21 A. Communications and Records Assistants. years old; a US citizen; high school graduate or equivalent; have at least 18 months of teletype operational experience gained within the last 6 years; able to pass medical examination and clerical and typist tests; and willing to undergo a thorough background investigation. Salary starts at $8,473 as FSS-9; promotion after 1 year in grade, with a satisfactory work performance. Apply to Recruitment Branch, Employment Division, Department of State, Washington, D. C. 20520. B. Communications Technicians: Must meet most of the requirements of the above, except for the clerical or typist tests and the operational experience. Must have either cryptographic, radio, or telephone experience; be able to install, maintain, and repair complex electronic equipment; willing to travel extensively for periods up to 35 days to approximately 20 overseas posts. Initial appointments are 5 years or less depending on the need of the service. After C. 3 years, Communications Technicians may apply for conversion to Foreign Service Reserve Unlimited appointment. Salary starts normally at FSR-8 ($11, 222). To apply send Standard Form 171 Personal Qualification Statement or a detailed resume of your experience. Secretaries. All applicants for overseas duty must be at least 21, a US citizen, a high school graduate or equivalent, pass a medical exam, have appropriate experience and pass clerical, shorthand (80 wpm), and typing tests (40 wpm). Background investigation is required prior to appointment. Appointments start at FSS-10 ($7, 596). More skilled and experienced applicants can start at the FSS-8 level ($9, 450) which requires 6 years of substantially continuous employment in more responsible secretarial positions, good judgment, and ability to handle a variety of responsible duties. Must be willing to serve anywhere in the world, although applicant can state preferences for particular posts. Write to Recruitment Branch, Employment Division, Department of State, Washington, D. C. 20520 stating qualifications and requesting application forms. 587-271 O-75-17 Reading List 1. Acheson, Dean. Present at the Creation - My Years in the State State Department. Norton, New York.: 1969. 3. 4. Service of the United States. MacMillan, New York.: 1964. Blancke, W. Wendell The Foreign Service of the United States. Bohlen, Charles E. Witness to History, W. W. Norton, New York.: 1973. Farewell to Foggy Bottom. McKay, 5. Briggs, Ellis O. New York.: 1964. 6. 7. 8. 9. Kennan, George E. American Diplomacy 1900 - 1950. Kennan, George E. Memoirs, 1925 1950. Little, Brown Murphy, Robert. Diplomat Among Warriors. Doubleday, Nicolson, Sir Harold. Diplomacy. Oxford University Press, SOUTH ASIA South Asia contains about 1.9 million square miles of land, and about 700 million people, almost one-fifth of the world's population. The culture of the area comprising India and Pakistan is one of the oldest in the world, dating back to 3000 B. C. The history of the area is one of absorption of peoples entering the subcontinent from the northwest. The inhabitants of South Asia have historically been inward rather than outward looking. The people have rarely been united, and then only for brief periods under a strong conqueror. There is wide variation in climate, language, religion, ethnic background, customs, social organization, and form of government. But for all of its diversity, the subcontinent of South Asia has certain characteristics which are generally common to the entire area. One striking common characteristic is change. All over South Asia far-reaching developments are taking place in the economic, political, and social fields. In the political sphere new forms of government are developing. Centuries-old social patterns and codes of human relationships are being broken down under the impact of modern education. Among the masses of the people there is a new awareness that poverty need not be their lot--that they need not accept social patterns and economic conditions which have long deprived them of a decent livelihood. Another common characteristic of the nations of South Asia is economic underdevelopment. Agriculture is generally carried on by primitive means and crop yields are low. Though industry is developing rapidly is some areas, it is still almost totally lacking in others. In every nation of the subcontinent the governments in power are striving to achieve the economic progress so desperately needed. While the problems to be overcome are enormous and while some of the development plans may at times falter, each day sees some change--the opening of a new factory, the completion of an irrigation project, the harnessing of a new source of power, the discovery of a new mineral deposit. |