Throughout 2024, the Vandenberg Coalition engaged on a multi-month project including focus groups and interviews with dozens of foreign service officers and political appointees to address a central question: How can we reorient America’s State Department toward its core diplomatic mission? For decades, the State Department has suffered from bloat, mismanagement, and a culture that disincentives both creativity and achievement. In light of President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s emphasis on reform, there is no better time than now to propose realistic policies that can help address the State Department’s failures and make sure we build a strong, vibrant, and effective diplomatic corps. Read the results of our investigation, and our key recommendations, below.