Should State Department employees be sent to Iraq, against their will?

Question

“Facing staff shortages in Iraq, the State Department announced Friday that diplomats would have no choice but to accept one-year postings in the hostile environment or face losing their jobs.”

Answer 1

State Dept. employees take an Oath of Service.

Postings for these individuals whether to Timbuck Two or Paris France are in the same classification as a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine, Ordered to a new assignment.
And the distinct possibility of being shipped to a Combat Zone is all part of the package they signed up for!

No one is sending them "against their Will". They do have the option to Resign.

When Orders for a new Posting are issued to State Dept. employees it's NOT optional. They are obligated by virtue of the nature of the job and the Oath they took when they accepted their positions, so either comply or Bye Bye ... Submit your resignation and don't let the door hit you on the way out!

I never had an option when I served. I put in for Europe and got the Asian Vacation ... Vietnam. USMC Semper Fi. 1967-68.

Answer 2

Well, any company I worked for that showed signs of managerial incompetency or a dictatorial attitude, I told them where to go and found a better job. I suggest that these people do the same. But this is just a further example of what this administration is doing to this country. Every single pro-Bush person I know, without exception, all felt that people should just do what they are told, UNTIL I asked if they would make their own children or families do or go through the same thing and they all had BS excuses why that could not happen..... AMAZING ...but I think the country as a whole sees through the administrations lies, deception and scare tactics by now, as well as their lap dog FOX..
FYI, I'm a registered Republican and voted mostly that way since Gerald Ford lost to Carter. But I would not allow myself to vote for these con artists and cowards in either election, (neither of which he won anyway!!!). I hope more people see through what they have done and keep trying to do.
Scare tactics work on only some people and those it does work on it works for only a short time.

Answer 3

Well, you kind of know what your getting into when you start working for the state department. I have considered taking the foreign officers exam and I know that wherever they want to send me, I will have to go if that is what I want to do with my life. So I think it is very normal to be sent to Iraq or lose their job. I think most employees know this prior to working for the State Department. Just because your first choice is to go to France or Spain, doesnt mean they will send you there.

Answer 4

The position (job) description should state the responsibilities and duties for the position. If foreign travel and assignments at the discretion of the government are written into the job description, they can make a choice of accepting or resigning from the State Department. It is not a matter of what should or should not be; it is a matter of honoring a signed agreement. If firemen refused to fight a dangerous, blazing, inferno; they would be fired immediately.

Answer 5

I don't think anyone should be sent to Iraq against their will including soldiers. This is the problem that our military services have. It is because people know that as soon as they enlist they are going to be shipped to Iraq right after finishing boot camp survival tactics

Answer 6

How strong or just is a Country that cannot listen to it's own Diplomats.

I would say no, at this point in time this situation should probably be left to the people who are handling things. It is good to hear the Diplomats though; their experience is invaluable to everyone.

Perhaps this is another one of the transition times, however.

Answer 7

Our soldiers have a job, and are made to go to Iraq. Why not those in the government?

Answer 8

of course, we built the biggest foriegn embassy in the world in the green zone! bigger than the whole Vatican!!

we need to fill it up with american civilian targets for the upcoming "iranian missle strike" that will destroy it and make americans want to invade Iran!

it will be such a suprise when they blow it up it will be like Pearl Harbor all over again!

Remember the Green Zone!

Answer 9

Yes. They knew the deal when they took the job. Don't take the assignment get fired, it's that simple

Answer 10

If it is good enough for the military it should be good enough for them. They send our boys and girls over there for ungodly lengths of time,maybe they will find out what it is like first-hand.