Glad it's not me

The U.S. State Department is now doing forced assignments for the Baghdad embassy because of a lack of volunteers. [Source]

Diplomats in Baghdad have been given a number of incentives to go: a 70 bonus over base pay for danger and hardship, a reduced 1-year tour, and first pick on the next assignment. But apparently that's not enough to lure officers away from their families into a war zone for a year.

Up until now, State has avoided doing directed assignments to protect morale within the service. Unlike the military, diplomats can quit anytime they want. And with the Blackwater and DynCorp junk going on, I can't tell whether the risks are worth it.

Though I was bummed things didn't work out for me earlier this year, I'm glad that's not me.