Foreign Service, what is that?

According to Wikipedia, the United States Foreign Service is a component of the United States federal government under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of approximately 15,000 professionals carrying out the foreign policy of the United States and aiding U.S. citizens abroad. Created in 1924 by the Rogers Act, the Foreign Service combined all consular and diplomatic services of the U.S. government into one administrative unit. In addition to the unit's function, the Rogers Act defined a personnel system under which the United States Secretary of State is authorized to assign diplomats abroad.

The two main agencies with foreign service are the State Department and USAID (the US Agency for International Development). I am a proud member of  the USAID.

Members of the Foreign Service are expected to serve most of their career abroad, working at embassies and consulates around the world. The maximum stretch of domestic assignments should last no more than five years before resigning or taking a foreign posting. The difficulties and the benefits associated with working abroad are many, especially in relation to family life.