Unaccompanied Tours Support

Taking an assignment at an unaccompanied post, or being assigned to a post that becomes unaccompanied, impacts the Foreign Service employee and family members in a number of different ways, both large and small. This can happen quickly, in the case of a post's status being changed, or after months of deliberation on the security climate at post. In either case, especially if a family is involved, the action will have a profound effect on what was "normal."

The employee will often find him or her self in a dangerous environment, unlike previous assignments. The family will have to cope with everyday issues without their spouse's participation. Children may act out their anger over the departure of one parent. Parents of the employee may present their own concerns regarding the assignment. And this is just the beginning.

Returning home brings with it a different set of challenges, particularly, juggling expectations with the reality of coping with what has changed.

Employees preparing to leave for (or are already serving at) an unaccompanied post, are asked to please complete the Contact Information for Families of Employees on Unaccompanied Tours Form. Please provide information on your spouse, Member of Household (MOH) or other loved one, such as a partner, parent, sibling, or adult child, who is back here and concerned about your being there. With this contact information we will reach out to those listed and explain the program of support for unaccompanied tours.

The Family Liaison Office offers the information found within this website as a starting point in helping you to make the best of what can be a difficult situation. It is also a place where you will read the stories of others who have been in a similar situation. Our hope is that this site will help you to find a sense of community within the Foreign Service family. Please download and print our brochure, Unaccompanied Tour: Learning to Manage a Temporary Separation.

Foreign Service employees and family members dealing with personal concerns may receive guidance and assistance from FLO's Unaccompanied Tours Support Officer. Communication is confidential.

Information provided by the Family Liaison Office.
Contact the Family Liaison Office