This spring, we had the privilege of hosting retired U.S. Army General John Adams as part of our Small World Café series. During this time, he shared his experience working overseas. In particular, he spoke of his service on five U.S. Embassy Country Teams and the U.S. Delegation to the NATO Military Committee and of his various experiences serving in Belgium, Luxembourg, Rwanda, Croatia, and South Korea.
Through his work, Adams gained substantial knowledge and insights into the inner workings of the U.S. embassies. He explained how U.S. government representation is integrated at our embassies & discussed why some countries have politically appointed U.S. ambassadors while career Foreign Service Officers lead other embassies.
Adams specifically emphasized the challenges Foreign Service Officers face as representatives of the U.S. government. Though these individuals have their own political opinions, like the military, they must set their views aside. Adams described how this could create tension between one’s conscience and the policies one must implement, which can be challenging to resolve. For some, it can lead to quitting a job. Those who stay, as Adams highlighted, deserve America’s respect and support as they have the difficult job of championing policies they did not create.
The Small World Café with John Adams was an enlightening experience that provided insights into a complex system. Despite being in a time of isolation, sharing an hour with people from across the U.S. helped create an environment of connection, all while learning about the U.S. country team.
– Gulf Coast Diplomacy Intern Katherine McCracken
