Insider Quote: The Great Board Mystery Game

Yet despite almost 10 years at the State Department, a relevant education for foreign affairs work, a proven ability to work at multiple diplomatic missions abroad including a hardship post, experience as a desk officer, and a passing mark on the written exam, she is told she is not qualified to take the orals?

When I asked the director general’s office what she would have to do to qualify, the response was “We don’t know” and “The board makes the decisions,” as though no department official is responsible for the board’s creation, operations or results.

Robert Ward
Foreign Service Officer
U.S. Interest Section Havana
Foreign Service Journal │ February 2009