S. 3492 (Reported in Senate) — To address the importance of foreign affairs training to national security, and for other purposes.

Section 1 Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

the Department of State is a crucial national security agency, whose employees, both Foreign Service and Civil Service, require the best possible training at every stage of their careers to prepare them to promote and defend United States national interests and the health and safety of United States citizens abroad;

(2)

the investment of time and resources by the Department with respect to the training and education of its personnel is considerably below the level of other Federal departments and agencies in the national security field, and falls well below the investments many allied and adversarial countries make in the development of their diplomats;

(3)

the Department faces increasingly complex and rapidly evolving challenges, many of which are science and technology-driven, and which demand continual, high-quality training and education of its personnel;

(4)

the Department must move beyond reliance on “on-the-job training” and other informal mentorship practices, which lead to an inequality in skillset development and career advancement opportunities, often particularly for minority personnel, and toward a robust professional tradecraft training continuum that will provide for greater equality in career advancement;

(5)

the Department must clearly link training to promotional opportunities, requiring officers to take certain classes at institutions of the Department (or equivalent courses at other institutions) at specific phases throughout their careers and to participate in fellowship programs that expose diplomats to other agencies, organizations, and cultures;

(6)

the Foreign Service Institute and other training facilities of the Department should seek to increase substantially educational and training offerings to Department personnel, including by developing new and innovative education and training courses, methods, programs, and opportunities; and

(7)

consistent with gift acceptance authority of the Department and other applicable laws in effect as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the Department and the Foreign Service Institute should accept funds and other resources from foundations, not-for-profit corporations, and other appropriate sources to help the Department and the Institute enhance the quantity and quality of training offerings, especially in the introduction of new, innovative, and pilot model courses.

Sec. 2 Definition of appropriate congressional committees

In this Act, the term appropriate congressional committees means—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

Sec. 3 Training float strategy

(a)

In general— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall develop and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy to establish a “training float” to allow for a minimum of 10 percent and up to 15 percent of officers of the Civil Service of the Department of State and the Foreign Service to participate in long-term training at any given time.

(b)

Identification of steps— The strategy required by subsection (a) shall identify steps necessary to ensure—

(1)

implementation of the training priorities described in section 4;

(2)

sufficient training capacity and opportunities are available to Civil Service and Foreign Service officers;

(3)

the use of mechanisms to ensure equitable distribution of long-term training opportunities to Civil Service and Foreign Service officers; and

(4)

the availability of resources and any additional authorities necessary to facilitate the training float described in subsection (a), including through programs at the Foreign Service Institute, the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center, and other facilities or programs operated by the Department.

(c)

Identification of training— The strategy required by subsection (a) shall identify—

(1)

which types of training would be prioritized under the training float;

(2)

the extent to which such training is already being provided to Civil Service and Foreign Service officers by the Department;

(3)

any factors in existence as of the date on which the strategy is submitted that incentivize or disincentive such training; and

(4)

why such training cannot be achieved without Foreign Service officers leaving the workforce.

(d)

Considerations— In developing the strategy required by subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall consider, in addition to training opportunities provided by the Department, training that could be provided by other United States Government training institutions and nongovernmental educational institutions.

Sec. 4 Training prioritization

In order to provide the Civil Service of the Department of State and the Foreign Service with the level of education and training needed to effectively advance United States interests across the world, the Secretary of State shall—

(1)

increase offerings provided by the Department—

(A)

of interactive virtual instruction to make training more accessible and useful to personnel deployed throughout the world; or

(B)

at partner organizations, including universities, industry entities, and nongovernmental organizations, throughout the United States to provide useful outside perspectives to Department personnel to provide such personnel—

(i)

a more comprehensive outlook on different sectors of United States society; and

(ii)

practical experience dealing with commercial corporations, universities, labor unions, and other institutions critical to United States diplomatic success;

(2)

offer courses using computer-based or computer-assisted simulations, allowing civilian officers to lead decision making in a crisis environment, and encourage officers of the Department of State and reciprocally officers of other Departments to participate in similar exercises held by the Department of State or other government organizations and the private sector; and

(3)

increase the duration and expand the focus of certain training courses, including by—

(A)

extending the A–100 entry-level course to not less than 12 weeks, better matching the length of entry-level training provided to the officers in other national security departments and agencies; and

(B)

extending the chief of mission course to not less than 6 weeks for first time chiefs of mission and creating a comparable 6-week course for new Assistant Secretaries and Deputy Assistant Secretaries to more accurately reflect the significant responsibilities accompanying such roles.

Sec. 5 Fellowships

The Director General of the Foreign Service shall—

(1)

establish new fellowship programs for Foreign Service and Civil Service officers that include short- and long-term opportunities at organizations including—

(A)

think tanks and nongovernmental organizations;

(B)

the Department of Defense, the elements of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)), and other relevant Federal agencies;

(C)

industry entities, especially such entities related to technology, global operations, finance, and other fields directly relevant to international affairs; and

(D)

schools of international relations and other relevant programs at universities throughout the United States; and

(2)

expand the Pearson Fellows Program for Foreign Service Officers and the Brookings Fellow Program for Civil Servants at the Department of State to allow fellows in those programs the opportunity to undertake a follow-on assignment within the Department in an office that will benefit from practical knowledge of the people and processes of Congress.

Sec. 6 Center for Innovation in Training at the Foreign Service Institute

(a)

Establishment— The Secretary of State shall establish a center to be known as the “Center for Innovation in Training” (in this section referred to as the “Center”).

(b)

Purpose— The purpose of the Center shall be to allow the Foreign Service Institute to cyclically evaluate all courses and curriculum of the Institute in order to identify updates to such courses and curriculum necessary to meet the frequent changes in skillsets needed by officers to aptly prepare them to address ever-changing global dynamics.

(c)

Supervision—

(1)

In general— The Center shall be led by an official equivalent to the level of a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of State.

(2)

Terms— The official described in paragraph (1) shall serve for a term of at least 2 years and may be reappointed for 1 or more additional 2-year terms.

(3)

Qualifications— The official described in paragraph (1) shall be appointed from among individuals with experience in technology, innovation, human capital, metrics, and evaluation of adult learning.

(4)

Hiring authorities— The official described in paragraph (1) shall be—

(A)

a highly qualified expert appointed by the Secretary;

(B)

an individual detailed to the Department under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.); or

(C)

an individual hired under a specialized hiring authority equivalent to the authorities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), as determined by the Secretary.

Sec. 7 Board of Visitors of the Foreign Service Institute

(a)

Establishment— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall establish a Board of Visitors of the Foreign Service Institute.

(b)

Duties— The Board of Visitors established under subsection (a) shall provide the Secretary of State with independent advice and recommendations on organizational management, strategic planning, resource management, curriculum development, and other matters of interest to the Foreign Service Institute.

(c)

Membership—

(1)

In general— The Board shall be—

(A)

nonpartisan; and

(B)

composed of 12 members of whom—

(i)

2 shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;

(ii)

2 shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;

(iii)

2 shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives;

(iv)

2 shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and

(v)

4 shall be appointed by the Secretary of State.

(2)

Qualifications— Members of the Board shall be appointed from among individuals who are not officers or employees of the Federal Government and are eminent authorities in the fields of diplomacy, management, leadership, technology, and advanced international relations education.

(3)

Outside expertise— Not fewer than 1/2 of the members of the Board shall have a minimum of 10 years of expertise outside the field of diplomacy.

(d)

Terms— A member of the Board shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, except that of the members first appointed—

(1)

1/3 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years;

(2)

1/3 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and

(3)

1/3 shall be appointed for a term of 1 year.

(e)

Reappointment; replacement— A member of the Board may be reappointed or replaced at the discretion of the official who made the original appointment.

(f)

Chairperson; Co-Chairperson—

(1)

Approval— The Chairperson and Co-Chairperson of the Board shall be approved by the Secretary of State based upon a recommendation from the members of the Board.

(2)

Service— The Chairperson and Co-Chairperson shall serve at the discretion of the Secretary.

(g)

Meetings— The Board shall meet—

(1)

at the call of the Chief Learning Officer appointed under section 11 in consultation with the Director of the Foreign Service Institute and the Chairperson; and

(2)

not fewer than 2 times per year.

(h)

Compensation— A member of the Board shall serve without compensation, except a member of the Board shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Board. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary of State may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of members of the Board.

(i)

Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act— The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Board established under this section.

Sec. 8 Establishment of Provost of the Foreign Service Institute

(a)

Establishment— There is established in the Foreign Service Institute the position of Provost.

(b)

Appointment; reporting— The Provost shall—

(1)

be appointed by the Board of Visitors of the Foreign Service Institute of the Department of State established under section 7; and

(2)

report to the Director of the Foreign Service Institute.

(c)

Duties— The Provost shall—

(1)

oversee, review, evaluate, and coordinate the academic curriculum for all courses taught and administered by the Foreign Service Institute;

(2)

coordinate the implementation of a letter or numerical grading system for the performance of Foreign Service officers in courses of the Foreign Service Institute; and

(3)

report not less frequently than quarterly to the Board of Visitors on curriculum developments and the performance of Foreign Service officers.

(d)

Term— The Provost shall serve for a term of not fewer than 5 years and may be reappointed for 1 additional term.

(e)

Compensation— The Provost shall receive a salary commensurate with the rank and experience of a member of the Senior Foreign Service or the Senior Executive Service, as determined by the Board of Visitors.

Sec. 9 Other agency responsibilities and opportunities for congressional staff

(a)

Other agencies— National security agencies other than the Department of State should increase the enrollment of their personnel in courses at the Foreign Service Institute and other training facilities of the Department to promote a whole-of-government approach to mitigating national security challenges.

(b)

Congressional staff— The Secretary of State shall budget for and offer opportunities for congressional staff to participate in education and training through the Foreign Service Institute.

Sec. 10 Strategy for residential training

(a)

In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall develop and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy for establishing residential training for the A–100 orientation course administered by the Foreign Service Institute.

(b)

Strategy development— In developing the strategy, the Secretary of State shall—

(1)

work with other national security departments and agencies that employ residential training for their orientation course; and

(2)

consider using the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center in Blackstone, Virginia, a facility of the Department of State.

Sec. 11 Establishment of Chief Learning Officer position

(a)

Establishment— There is established in the Department of State the position of Chief Learning Officer of the Department.

(b)

Appointment; reporting— The Chief Learning Officer shall—

(1)

be appointed by the Secretary of State; and

(2)

report to the Secretary.

(c)

Duties—

(1)

Principal advisor— The Chief Learning Officer shall be the principal advisor to the Secretary of State and the Deputy Secretaries of State on the intellectual preparation and development of the entire workforce of the Department for 21st century diplomacy, including all matters related to the educational and training strategies, policies, plans, activities, resources, personnel, and budget of the Department.

(2)

Oversight— The Chief Learning Officer shall oversee—

(A)

the Foreign Service Institute;

(B)

the executive fellowship programs of the Department;

(C)

all rotations and exchanges of personnel of the Department; and

(D)

any educational components established by the Department.

(3)

Responsibilities— The Chief Learning Officer shall—

(A)

serve as the Executive for Education and Training of the Department;

(B)

be responsible for education management, policy, facilities, and oversight on all educational matters of the Department;

(C)

advise the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary of State, and all Under Secretaries of State and the staffs of such officials on all educational and training matters, and all matters pertaining to human capital, including recruitment, retention, promotion, supervision, and assignments;

(D)

develop and execute a comprehensive education and training strategy for the Department;

(E)

represent the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary during the budget formulation process for all education and related matters;

(F)

formulate regulations, policies, strategies, and guidance of the Department for diplomatic education and training;

(G)

oversee the Foreign Service Institute and the personnel, resources, and facilities of the Institute, including by establishing an independent Board of Overseers of the Foreign Service Institute, appointing the members of the Board, and serving as an ex officio member of the Board;

(H)

provide the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary with proposed language for use in promotion policies of the Department, including setting education, professional development, and leadership development attainment and performance standards to be required or preferred for promotion;

(I)

establish and chair a Secretary’s Management Council to coordinate and enforce policies relating to education and training and promotion, supervision, and assignments, the members of which shall be selected by the Secretary and include the Under Secretary of State for Administration and the Director General for Global Talent Management, among others;

(J)

serve as the liaison of the Department to academia, learning enterprises within the United States Government, and the education and learning sectors of the private sector, and establish partnerships and agreements for educational exchanges and experiential learning assignments;

(K)

modify academic curricula, academic research programs, and faculty-hiring policies, and make key personnel decisions, as required;

(L)

conduct or direct assessments of the education and training system of the Department to determine the quality and relevance of academic programs;

(M)

establish the academic standards for selection and performance of faculty and students within the Department;

(N)

exercise decision authority on all additional matters designated by the Secretary and Deputy Secretary; and

(O)

designate an individual to be responsible for learning and training at every bureau of the Department and United States embassy, and organize those individuals into a network to collaborate on training and education activities developing in the field.

(d)

Term— The Chief Learning Officer shall serve for a term of not fewer than 3 years, and may be reappointed for 2 additional terms.

(e)

Compensation— The rate of basic pay for the Chief Learning Officer shall be the greater of—

(1)

the highest rate of basic pay payable for a noncareer appointee (as defined in section 3132(a) of title 5, United States Code); or

(2)

the rate of basic pay payable for a highly qualified expert, as determined by the Secretary of State, in a position at level III of the Executive Schedule.

Sec. 12 Report and briefing requirements

(a)

Report— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes—

(1)

the strategy developed by the Chief Learning Officer under section 11(c)(3)(D);

(2)

the process used to implement the strategy throughout the Department; and

(3)

the results and impact of the strategy on the workforce of the Department, particularly the relationship between training and promotions for Department personnel, and including the measurement and evaluation methods used.

(b)

Briefing— Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary of State submits the report required by subsection (a), and annually thereafter for 2 years, the Secretary shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a briefing on the information required to be included in the report.

To address the importance of foreign affairs training to national security, and for other purposes.