Please Mr. Custer, I don't want to go!

[high fly]

Diplomats decry being sent against will to Iraq
Hundreds boo State Department, liken policy to 'potential death sentence'

WASHINGTON - Several hundred U.S. diplomats vented anger and frustration Wednesday about the State Department's decision to force foreign service officers to take jobs in Iraq, with some likening it to a "potential death sentence."

In a contentious hour-long "town hall meeting" called to explain the step, these workers peppered the official who signed the order with often hostile complaints about the largest diplomatic call-up since Vietnam. Announced last week, it will require some diplomats — under threat of dismissal — to serve at the embassy in Baghdad and in so-called Provincial Reconstruction Teams in outlying provinces.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21563190/

[Fezticle98]

I'm pretty sure they knew this was a possibility when they joined the State Department. I believe they are free to resign if they don't like it.

[A.J.]

I felt the same way when they sent me to Saudi Arabia.

[pennington]

I'm pretty sure they knew this was a possibility when they joined the State Department. I believe they are free to resign if they don't like it.

Exactly. It's their job. It would be like a policeman saying "I don't want to go out on patrol".

From the little I know about the Foreign Service from a friend of a friend, it's very hard to get into, the training is hard, and the downside of the job is clearly spelled out.