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External Service of the Benacian Union

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The External Service of the Benacian Union is the foreign relations arm of the Benacian Union, responsible for managing the Union-State's diplomatic relations and interactions with foreign powers. It operates under the direction of the Commission for Foreign Affairs which is part of the High Presidium of the Benacian Union.

History

The External Service traces its origins back to the Bureau for Relations with Foreign Powers of Benacia Command during the early years of the Benacian Union's formation. As the Union-State expanded its influence, the need for a dedicated foreign relations body grew.

In 1698 AN, the Legatine College for Foreign Relations was established to oversee the Bureau and serve as the main agency handling foreign affairs. The External Service as it is known today emerged from this college in the early 1700s.

Organisation

The External Service consists of career diplomats and staff organised into various directorates and legations:

  • Commission for Foreign Affairs
    • Headed by the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, a member of the High Presidium
    • Responsible for formulating and executing the Union's foreign policy
    • Oversees the entire External Service
  • Directorate for Relations with Foreign Powers
    • Manages the Union's diplomatic missions and legations abroad
    • Divided into geographic directorates like Keltian & Maritime, Cibolan, etc.
  • Legatine College for Foreign Relations
    • Training academy for diplomats and foreign service staff
    • Coordinates with other foreign relations agencies as needed

Legations

The External Service maintains a network of legations (diplomatic missions) in dozens of countries across Micras.

In addition to the major legations, the External Service also operates missions and outposts across the Benacian "near abroad" and other areas of strategic interest. Retiring senior military officers are often rewarded with these overseas sinecure appointments.

Visa applications from citizens of other countries are processed through the Union's global network of legations overseen by the External Service.

Recruitment Requirements

As a civil public body, members of the External Service are obligated to be members of either:

Beyond this political affiliation requirement, prospective candidates must meet the following criteria:

Background

  • Birth within the territorial boundaries of the Benacian Union or the realms of the Raspur Pact
  • Lineage and ancestry records demonstrating the absence of Vanic taint for a minimum of five generations
  • Successful completion of the ideological examination issued by the Benacian Censorate
  • Security clearance by the Panopticon Department after extensive background checks
  • No record of criminal convictions, treasonous activities or anti-Union sentiments

Education

  • Minimum of a bachelor's degree from the Benacian Academy or an accredited institution of higher learning
  • Demonstrated proficiency in Praeta and Istvanistani, the paramount official languages of the Union-State
  • Fluency in at least two other lawful languages
  • Preferred degree backgrounds include international relations, law, Humanist philosophy, and cultural studies of lesser races

Entrance Exam

Candidates meeting the initial background and education criteria must pass a grueling entrance examination hosted by the Legatine College for Foreign Relations. This exam tests:

  • Knowledge of Benacian history, laws, customs and Humanist philosophy
  • Understanding of geopolitics, diplomacy and Union foreign policy objectives
  • Language proficiency in Praeta and other permissible languages
  • General knowledge across a variety of academic and cultural disciplines

Only the top scoring candidates are offered admission to training at the Legatine College.

Training

Successful candidates undergo a minimum of two years of training covering:

  • Advanced language instruction
  • Diplomatic protocol and negotiation tactics
  • Host nation cultural studies and sensitivities
  • Self-defence, survival, and anti-interrogation techniques
  • Protection against memetic contagions when exposed to foreign and or heretical environments
  • Secure communications and cypher analysis
  • History of the External Service and Union foreign policy

Upon graduating, new diplomats are assigned entry-level postings based on service needs and their individual qualifications.

Oath of Service

Finally, all External Service officers must take the Oath of Service to the Benacian Union, swearing allegiance and fidelity to the goals and ideals of the Benacian Union in perpetuity.

The rigorous recruitment and training process aims to produce highly skilled and utterly loyal diplomats to represent Benacian interests abroad. Any violation of ideological principles or the Oath can result in severe punishment or charges of high treason against the Union-State.

Pacts and Treaties

The External Service is responsible for negotiating and managing key treaties and diplomatic arrangements on behalf of the Benacian Union:

It also oversees compliance with policies like the Benacian Quarantine System which prohibits contact with certain nations deemed to pose existential threats.

Coordination with Other Agencies

While directing foreign policy, the External Service coordinates closely with other agencies on matters of national security and intelligence:

This inter-agency cooperation ensures the External Service's diplomatic efforts remain synchronised with the Union's overarching strategic objectives in the international arena.

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