ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the dynamics of the processes and procedures which govern the functioning of the Foreign Service and the career progress of its officers. It presents recruitment and appointment, the assignment process, the training process, the promotion process, the threshold concept, the performance evaluation procedure, involuntary retirement, separation for cause procedure, and interim grievance procedure. Junior Foreign Service officer intake via entrance by examination is supplemented by the lateral entry program. The assignment, transfer, and reassignment of Foreign Service employees is governed by a general policy, as stated in the Department Regulations, which is generally applicable to all Foreign Service personnel, regardless of classification, with the exceptions of Reserve officers and Chiefs of Mission. The Office of Personnel, in consultation with the Foreign Service Institute, and the regional and functional bureaus determine the geographic areas in which specialization is needed and the personnel available for area training assignment.
