Evening star., 1939-08-20
How Diplomats Are Made-Canddates Must Pass

road conductor and a United States
Army officer. 1t was pointed out
that many might be able to answer
the written questions, but would
not have the judgment, personality
or ability to get along with people.
For that reason the oral eXamina-
ton is given SO that the Board of
Examiners can meet the candidate
face to face. They judge him on
his personality, character, address,
contemporary information, prac-
tical experience and apparent busi-
ness ability"
Mr.. Shaw said: The board has
found that the boy who has worked
his way through college often has a
more effective personality. He ap-
preclates the value of his education
and feels it incumbent on him to
get something worth while out
of it."
Remember Ordeal.
Let us look at an oral examination
from the candidates point of view:
1t is an ordeal that no foreign serv-
ice officer will ever forget. Each
candidate is examined separately
for about 20 minutes, by a board
composed of three Assistant Secre-
taries of State, the chief of the Divi-
sion of Foreign Service Personnel
and the chief examiner of the Civil
Service Commission.
They meet at the appointed hour
in the outer Office of the chief OF
the Division of Foreign Service Per-
sonnel. They all are nervous, be-
cause their future careers depend
upon the outcome of those 20 min
utes alone with the examiners in
the next room. No one can help
them because no one knows Just
what questions will be asked. Finally
the door Of the inner Office is opened
and one mans name is called. He
jumps from his chair and goes into
| the other room. The door is closed
and the remaining candidates sit in
anxiety waiting for their turn.
The one to be examined enters
Mr.. ShaWS private Office, which does
not look like an inquisition chamber
at all, but more like library in q
private home. The room is big
bright and CHEEKY. A soft gray rus
covers the floor At one end of the
room there is large desk, and ir
front of it, arranged in a semi
circle, sit the five judges. Wher
the candidate enters the room. all
rise and are introduced by Mr.. Mes
sersmith, chairman of the board.
After he has shaken hands with
each one, the candidate is told tc
be seated. The examination starts
off easily enough by Mr.. Shaw's
asking the young man to give a brief
biographical background.
Variety Of Queries.
The next judge may ask him about
his hobbies, the third judge may ask
him in which subjects he specialized
in college, and why. The fourth
judge may ask why he selected the
foreign service for a career anc
why he thinks he is qualified fol-
the work.
BY the time the last judge has
questioned him, the board has
formed its estimate of the young
man. If they do not come to :
unanimous. decision, each one will
take a turn at questioning him
again. If the board decides tha
the candidate is suited to The tor.
eign service, the chief of the For.
eign Service Personnel will, at thi
point, tell him to report to the Medi.
cal Board for a physical examina-
ton. Congratulations are now ir
order. because the candidate is over
the biggest hurdles. If he can now
meet the physical requirements
which correspond to the require
ments Of the United States Navy, he
is placed on the eligible list, and he
is, at long last, member Of the
foreign service.