Joining the Foreign Service--then, Now, And In-Between

Editor's Note: A senior active-duty Foreign Service Officer examines the process of entering the Foreign Service, from the Rogers Act of 1924 to the present. She looks at how the changing needs of the Foreign Service have affected the examination-entry process, especially in regard to the present emphasis on Transformational Diplomacy. This essay will be extremely useful for anyone considering joining the Foreign Service. - JEW The United States Foreign Service is a career like no other. Challenge and change are inherent in a Foreign Service Officer's professional life of service to his/her country. A diplomat can make a difference in the world. And, it's a lot of fun. The path to becoming a diplomat, on the other hand, has rarely been described as fun. Mastering the several steps that lead to a commission as a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) can be difficult, but it's generally agreed, among newer and seasoned officers alike, that the personal and professional rewards of this unique career are incomparable.