RELATED July 03, 2025 Partnership for Public Service’s public comments on OPM’s “Suitability and Fitness” proposed rule June 23, 2025 Mad Money: The public believes the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal government will harm the U.S. economy and make the country less safe June 23, 2025 Public Service Leadership Model Pocket Guide Back to Reports State Dept: Staffing Shortfalls and Ineffective Assignment System Compromise Diplomatic Readiness June 7, 2002 In this report, GAO examined (1) the number, experience, and skills of staff in hardship positions and how these may affect diplomatic readiness and (2) how well State’s assignment system is meeting the staffing requirements of hardship posts. This report makes recommendations to the Secretary of State to improve State’s human resources data, determine staffing priorities, consider a targeted hiring strategy, and develop incentives and implement actions to steer Foreign Service employees toward serving in hardship posts. Download (879k)