Glossary of Common Diplomatic, Expat, & US Department of State Acronyms

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L |
| M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

Stepping into the world of US diplomacy, international assignments, or simply supporting a family member’s foreign service career can feel like learning a new language. Suddenly, you’re hearing terms like “UAB,” “HHE,” “EFM,” and “COM” thrown around, and it can be a little overwhelming at first! These acronyms are more than just bureaucratic shorthand; they’re part of the expat and diplomatic community’s daily life and unique culture.

Navigating this world successfully means mastering this specialized vocabulary. Understanding these common acronyms is key to everything from managing your household shipments and understanding your benefits to knowing who’s who at the embassy and connecting with resources available to you and your family.

To help you get up to speed, here’s a comprehensive list of some of the most frequently used acronyms and abbreviations relevant to the US State Department, diplomats, expats, and especially Eligible Family Members (EFMs). We’ve sorted them alphabetically for easy reference. Think of this as your quick guide to decoding conversations and documents as you embark on or continue your globally mobile journey!

Here’s a list of some common ones you might encounter, sorted alphabetically for easier reference:

– A –

A-100: The basic orientation course for new Foreign Service Officers.
AMB: Ambassador; Diplomatic title and form of address for a Chief of Mission.
APHIS: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
APO: Army Post Office – a mail system for US personnel abroad.
APP: American Presence Post – a small diplomatic post, usually without a resident FSO.

– C –

CA: Bureau of Consular Affairs – deals with visas, passports, and services for US citizens abroad.
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CDA: Chargé d’Affaires — a diplomat who heads an embassy in the absence of an ambassador.
CG: Consul General; Diplomatic title and form of address for a Consular Officer; Senior person at a Consulate General.
CLO: Community Liaison Office – provides support and resources for the embassy community, especially EFMs.
CMR: Chief of Mission Residence – the official residence of the Ambassador or Chief of Mission.
COM: Chief of Mission; Functional title of the ranking officer at a diplomatic post, usually an Ambassador.
CONSULATE: Building or office occupied by a Consul.
CONSUL: Diplomatic title and form of address for a Consular Officer; Functional title/term used to refer to second-in-command at a Consulate General.
COS: Chief of Staff or Chief of Section, depending on the context. Also used for “Change of Station” (a move).
CTJ: Curtailed Tour of Duty – when a diplomat’s assignment is cut short.

– D –

DAO: Defense Attaché Office – represents the Department of Defense at an embassy.
DCM: Deputy Chief of Mission — the second-in-command at an embassy.
DCR: Deputy Chief of Mission Residence – the official residence of the DCM.
DEA: Drug Enforcement Administration.
DHS/CIS: Department of Homeland Security / Citizenship & Immigration Services.
DHS/ICE: Department of Homeland Security / Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
DPO: Diplomatic Post Office – a mail system for official diplomatic correspondence and sometimes personal mail.
DOS: U.S. Department of State.
DS: Bureau of Diplomatic Security – responsible for security for the State Department and Foreign Service.

– E –

ECON: Economic Affairs Section (at an embassy) – handles economic reporting and policy.
EFM: Eligible Family Member — a spouse or partner, or a child who is officially listed on an employee’s orders.
EER: Employee Evaluation Report – the annual performance review for Foreign Service personnel.
ELP: Entry Level Professional – often refers to entry-level positions in the Foreign Service or Civil Service.
EMR: Embassy Mission Residence – a residence provided by the government for an employee at post.
ERV: Early Return Volunteer — an EFM who chooses to return to the US before the end of the employee’s tour.

– F –

FAM: Foreign Affairs Manual – the comprehensive guide to State Department policies and procedures.
FAMER: Family Member Employment Report – tracks employment of EFMs.
FAS: Foreign Agricultural Service.
FCS: Foreign Commercial Service – promotes US commercial interests abroad.
FLO: Family Liaison Office – provides support and advocacy for Foreign Service families (often works closely with CLO at post).
FMA: Family Member Appointment – a hiring mechanism for EFMs at post.
FMO: Financial Management Officer – responsible for financial operations at post.
FMS: Facilities Management Service Officer – responsible for maintaining embassy properties.
FSN: Foreign Service National (now known as LES) – a locally hired employee at an embassy or consulate.
FSHP: Foreign Service Health Practitioner – medical professionals serving the Foreign Service community.
FSO: Foreign Service Officer.
FSI: Foreign Service Institute – the State Department’s primary training facility.

– G –

GSO: General Services Officer – responsible for logistics, housing, and supplies at post.

– H –

HHE: Household Effects — your main shipment of belongings sent by sea.
HRO: Human Resources Officer – manages personnel matters at post.

– I –

ICASS: International Cooperative Administrative Support Services — the system for sharing costs among US government agencies overseas.
IMO: Information Management Officer — responsible for IT and communications at post.
IMS: Information Management Specialist – an IT professional in the Foreign Service.
INC: Information Network Center – related to IT infrastructure.
INL: Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
INWS: Intermittent No Work Scheduled – a work status for some employees.
IPC: Information Programs Center – related to public diplomacy and information sharing.
IPO: Information Programs Officer – works in public diplomacy, managing information and cultural programs.
IPS: Information Programs Supervisor – supervises information programs staff.
ISC: Information Systems Center – related to IT systems management.
ISO: Information Systems Officer (or ISC) – an IT professional.
ISSO: Information Systems Security Officer – responsible for IT security at post.

– L –

LES: Locally Employed Staff (formally known as FSN) – a locally hired employee at an embassy or consulate.
LQA: Living Quarters Allowance – a housing allowance for US government employees overseas.
LWOP: Leave Without Pay.

– M –

MED: Office of Medical Services (at the State Department) or the medical unit at post.
MGT: Management Office (at an embassy) – oversees administrative and support functions.
MSG: Marine Security Guard Detachment – US Marines providing security at embassies.

– O –

OBC: Overseas Briefing Center – provides resources and training for employees and families going overseas.
OBO: Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations – manages State Department properties abroad.
OIG: Office of Inspector General – conducts audits and investigations of State Department programs and operations.
OMS: Office Management Specialist — an administrative professional in the Foreign Service.

– P –

PA: Public Affairs – related to public diplomacy and media relations.
PAO: Public Affairs Officer – leads the public affairs section at post.
PAR: Performance Appraisal Report – another term for an employee’s performance review (similar to EER).
PAS: Public Affairs Section (at an embassy).
PD: Public Diplomacy Section (at an embassy) — focuses on engaging foreign publics.
POL: Political Section (at an embassy) — handles political reporting and analysis.
POL/MIL: Political/Military Section (at an embassy) – covers political and military affairs.
Post: The embassy, consulate, or mission assigned by a diplomat.
POV: Privately Owned Vehicle – a personal car shipped overseas.
PRM: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.
PSC: Personal Services Contractor — an individual hired under a specific contract, often for a particular project.

– R –

R&R: Rest and Recuperation — authorized leave from a hardship post.
RMO: Regional Medical Officer – a doctor responsible for medical support in a region.
RSO: Regional Security Officer — responsible for security at post and in the region.

– T –

TDY: Temporary Duty — a temporary assignment away from one’s permanent post.
TCK: Third Culture Kid — a person who has spent a significant part of their developmental years outside their parents’ culture.

– U –

UAB: Unaccompanied Air Baggage — a smaller, faster shipment of essential items sent by air freight.
USAID: United States Agency for International Development.

This list covers many of the common acronyms you’ll hear in expat and diplomatic circles. It can feel like learning a new language sometimes, but you pick it up quickly!