Foreign Service Community Support Offices, Groups, and Organizations

NEW TO THE FOREIGN SERVICE? START HERE.

• Foreign Service Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Foreign Service Social Media Groups
• Diplomats’ Hometowns
• The First Line of Defense – How Diplomats Protect American Security (4-minute video) – A few examples of how diplomats impact the daily lives of Americans. Don’t hesitate to share with your family and friends!
• GCLO – Family Member Employment Overview – A 12-minute video explaining acronyms and options and options for EFMs in and outside the mission.
• Portraits in Diplomacy: 2023 – Follow Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in this photo essay featured by the State Department.
• Publications and Online Resources – United States Department of State

Podcasts:

• FSClips: AAFSW’s Oral History project. Learn more here.
• Partners in Diplomacy: The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST) and the Una Chapman Cox Foundation bring you “Partners in Diplomacy,” a podcast series exploring the service, sacrifice, and adventure of life as a Foreign Service family member.” Listen to the podcast.
• Available Worldwide: Accompanying spouses and partners of the US Foreign Service share how they have discovered superpowers they never knew they had and found success in unlikely places.  Listen to the podcast.

OFFICIAL SUPPORT RESOURCES

• Transition Center (TC), Foreign Service Institute
• Overseas Briefing Center (OBC)
• Office of Overseas Schools (OOS)
• Office of Allowances - Supplementary Instruction: The purpose of Supplementary Instruction is to provide dependent children the opportunity to take courses not offered at the school at post but customarily offered in U.S. public schools.
• OBC Guide: “Foreign Service Assignment Notebook: What Do I Do Now?”
• Medical Services (MED)
• Global Community Liaison Office
• Foreign Service Acronyms and Abbreviations: Helpful acronyms and abbreviations to help you navigate life at post.

INDEPENDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES

GENERAL NON -PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE FOREIGN SERVICE

• American Foreign Service Association (AFSA): The professional association for Foreign Service employees.
• Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW): Volunteer community association for all members of the Foreign Affairs community, including spouses/partners, employees (FS and CS), retirees, divorced/widowed employees or spouses.
• Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST): ADST is a non-profit organization that encourages the study of American diplomacy to enhance the knowledge of U.S. diplomats. In addition to their Foreign Affairs Oral History program and podcasts, ADST assists with research activities, educational material, exhibits, workshops, and publications relevant to U.S. foreign relations and the conduct of diplomacy. It has physical offices at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington (FSI).
• DACOR: An Association of Foreign Affairs Professionals, formerly stood for Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired; provides speaker events, lunches, networking, scholarships; operates DACOR Bacon House.
• Foreign Service Youth Foundation (FSYF)
• Military OneSource from the Defense Department is your 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources, and confidential help. When MilLife happens, it’s your “first line of support” — giving service members and military families tools to stay well and thrive. Call anytime at 800-342-9647.

SPECIALIZED ORGANIZATIONS AND AFFINITY GROUPS

• Diplomatic Security Foundation (DSF)
• Diplomatic Security Special Agents Association (DSSAA)
• GLIFAA: Formerly stood for Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies, serves LGBT+ and allies.
• International Career Advancement Program

Other Affinity Groups: Networks formed around a shared interest or background.

• Senior Living Foundation: Support for elderly Foreign Service community members in need.
• The Council for Career Entry Professionals (CCEP)
• Thursday Luncheon Group (TLG): Aimed at increasing the involvement of African Americans and other minorities in foreign policy.
• USAID Alumni Group

For more affinity groups see our social media page.

PODCASTS

• FSClips: AAFSW’s Oral History project. Learn more here.
• Partners in Diplomacy: The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST) and the Una Chapman Cox Foundation bring you “Partners in Diplomacy,” a podcast series exploring the service, sacrifice, and adventure of life as a Foreign Service family member”. Listen to the podcast.
• Available Worldwide: Accompanying spouses and partners of the US Foreign Service share how they have discovered superpowers they never knew they had and found success in unlikely places.  Listen to the podcast.