Overview
- The State Department, which unveiled the reforms Wednesday, opened registration for a revamped entrance exam scheduled for May 15–22.
- The selection process now tests American history and logical reasoning and removes questions tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a written exam replacing the prior file-review panel.
- A‑100, the entry course for new officers, will feature lectures on diplomatic history and 'America First' foreign policy and assign readings from George Washington, the Federalist Papers, George Kennan, Angelo Codevilla, and Samuel Huntington.
- Training will emphasize public speaking, negotiation, economic strategy, commercial diplomacy, and grand strategy, replacing team‑building and resilience exercises that officials said offered little tradecraft.
- AFSA president John Dinkelman criticized injecting administration‑specific themes and raised fears of politicized hiring after nearly 250 officers were dismissed last year, while coverage split between outlets highlighting modernization and those emphasizing those concerns.