And I certainly did neglect to mention the FSS. These include important groups of people without whom embassies would fall apart. In addition to those you mention, there are also all the Communications people, though their work is becoming ever more intertwined with IT.

Also not mention are the Foreign Service National staffs (FSNs) and locally-hired Americans.

I recall trying to explain to the newly appointed USIA Director, Bruce Gelb, what FSNs did and how we worked with them. He couldn't get his mind around the facts that a) they were trusted employees and b) we'd be waay up the creek if we didn't have them. Not sure he ever got it.

Not sure, in fact, that the bean-counters at State realize it either.

The Admin cone was re-named Management cone sometime in the past couple of years.

There're also several smaller corps of Foreign Service Specialist (FSS) within the Department, who serve overseas in such career fields as diplomatic security agents, office managers, information management, nurses, physicians &tc. Their selection process is something in between that of FSO generalists and General Schedule employees.

In any case, an excellent addition to the discussion.