Prep for Foreign Service Officer exam

[Surferbeetle]

Honestly, surfer, after a long chat the other day with a former Marine who just became an FSO...

Matt,

I too am a big fan of the old saying: Know all about Dodge and how to exit Dodge before entering...

I have ambivalent views about the attractiveness of the Foreign Service as a career. On some days I would say that it has been a great opportunity to go places, do things, and witness history that I would never have gotten in any private sector job. On other days I would say that coping with the bureaucractic BS and a dysfunctional foreign service culture just isn't worth it. After 22 years, the main reason I stick around is because I want my sons to live in a prosperous and powerful country - I thus see my job as using my modest talent and experience to contribute to "empire maintenance."

Pol-Mil-FSO,

Appreciate your sharing your experiences and observations (to include the importance of language skills at State). My two decades in the Army and Civil Service have been great opportunities as well as a chance to give back. I have enjoyed my time at one of State's Commissions as well as at a FSI course, my kids are grown...a FSO experience looks very interesting, we will see if the planets align at some point.

Best,

Steve