Veterans in the Foreign Service

Many of the most respected members of the Foreign Service first served the country in uniform.

The path from the military to the diplomatic corps is an old one, and it makes sense. Both institutions are built on deployment: their people go where they are sent and make a life there for as long as the assignment lasts. Both depend on people who can work inside a chain of responsibility without losing their own judgment. And both ask for discretion with information held in trust.

The differences are real. A soldier is trained to act decisively; a diplomat is trained to listen first, sometimes for a long time. Veterans who make the move tend to find that the military already taught them the hardest part.

Veterans on the Honor Roll

• Songkane SackalyU.S. Army, Operation Iraqi Freedom · Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
• Sean SmithU.S. Air Force · Information Management Officer, U.S. Foreign Service
• Cleo A. Noel Jr.U.S. Navy · U.S. Ambassador to Sudan
• Francis E. Meloy Jr.U.S. Navy · U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon
• Rodger DaviesU.S. Army · U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus
• Adolph "Spike" DubsU.S. Navy · U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan
• Terence A. TodmanU.S. Army · U.S. Ambassador to Six Nations
• Edward J. PerkinsU.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps · Director General of the Foreign Service; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
• Thomas R. PickeringU.S. Navy · Career Ambassador; Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
• Archer K. BloodU.S. Navy · Consul General, Dacca

Veterans' Preference

Federal law gives eligible veterans preference in hiring across the civil service, and the Foreign Service applies a veterans' preference in its own selection process. Prospective candidates should confirm the current rules directly with the Department of State.