United States Foreign Service
The flag of a U.S. Foreign Service officer | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | July 1, 1924 |
| Employees | 13,747 |
| Agency executives |
|
| Parent department | Department of State |
| Map | |
Map of U.S. Foreign Service posts (2003) | |
The United States Foreign Service is the primary personnel system used by the diplomatic service of the United States federal government, under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of over 13,000 professionals carrying out the foreign policy of the United States and aiding U.S. citizens abroad.
Created in 1924 by the Rogers Act, the Foreign Service combined all consular and diplomatic services of the U.S. government into one administrative unit. In addition to the unit's function, the Rogers Act defined a personnel system under which the United States secretary of state is authorized to assign diplomats abroad.
Members of the Foreign Service are selected through a series of written and oral examinations. They serve at any of the United States diplomatic missions around the world, including embassies, consulates, and other facilities. Members of the Foreign Service also staff the headquarters of the four foreign affairs agencies;
- Department of State, headquartered at the Harry S Truman Building in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Commerce
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID)