Foreign Service

Facts about the United States Foreign Service

The United States Foreign Service is a division of the United States Department of State which is under the Federal Government that was created in 1924.

The Foreign Service acts as representatives of the United States all around the world. The members of the Foreign Service interact with local governments as staff to United States consulates and embassies, emissaries to the United States, and provide valuable resources for Americans who are travelling abroad. They help these citizens handle problems abroad such as:

Providing useful information to the individual regarding the host country

Issuing replacement documents, such as lost passports

Helping negotiations between local governments and individuals representing United States companies who want to produce, manufacture, or do other business abroad

Issuing permanent residency visas and temporary visas through American consular offices

Members of the Foreign Service

Under the Foreign Service act, which was passed by Congress, the Foreign Service includes the following members:

Chiefs of mission: This is the head of the diplomatic representation of the Foreign Service. The chiefs are appointed by the President, who requires the advice and approval of the Senate to do so.

Ambassadors at large: This is the highest diplomat appointed by President, who requires the advice and approval of the Senate to do so. The Ambassadors at large deal with certain foreign policy issues.

Senior Foreign Service members: These members are the experts and senior leaders for managing Foreign Service along with its performance. These members are appointed by the President, who requires the advice and approval of the Senate to do so. These members often come from the Specialist ranks or FSO and have the equivalent position to general officers in the military.

Foreign Service Officers: These members are appointed by the President, who requires the advice and approval of the Senate to do so. These generalists are diplomats with the primary responsibility of carrying out the Foreign Service functions.

Foreign Service Specialists: These members provide a special set of skills and services that are required for the most effective performance by the Service, such as the Special Agents of the Diplomatic Security Service. The Secretary of State appoints these specialists into the Foreign Service.

Foreign Service Nationals: These members are also known as the Locally Engaged Staff. These members are personnel in the Foreign Service who provide administrative, fiscal, clerical, technical, and other needed support at Foreign Service posts abroad. These members can be third-country citizens (formally known as Third Country National, or native citizens of the host country. In some circumstances, these Foreign Service nationals can also be Americans who are living abroad as expatriates.