National Foreign Affairs Training Center

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Thank you for being part of our community!

Through NFATC’s “Strong Nation, Beautiful Location” campus improvement contest, our community submitted low-cost, high-impact ideas to enhance the spaces where America’s diplomatic workforce trains.

Read how our community-led initiative is transforming the NFATC campus into a living symbol of American strength, service, and leadership.

Strong Nation, Beautiful Location: NFATC Elevates American Pride Through Community-Led Campus Improvement Contest by Bre-anne Naughton The National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC) is the Department's premier training institution, and its physical campus is located on historic grounds in Arlington, VA. The campus atmosphere is conducive to learning and mission readiness.

Today, we stand united in remembrance of September 11th. We honor the families who endured loss, the heroes who answered the call, and the service members who continue to protect our freedom. We will never forget. 🇺🇸

When it comes to training diplomats to advance U.S. interests, innovation is essential. Our latest innovations reimagine training to meet the demands of modern diplomacy.

The State Department’s Office of the Historian has published new foreign policy documents from the administration of President Jimmy Carter. These include behind-the-scenes notes, debates, and conversations that informed U.S. foreign policy decision making and relations with Canada, Nordic Countries, and West Germany.

U.S. diplomats receive training in the history of U.S. foreign relations at NFATC. This knowledge is critical for diplomats to develop a strong understanding of the relationships between the U.S. and other countries today.

Learn more about the history of U.S. foreign policy in the latest volume of FRUS: https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1977-80v27

Honored to host the Department’s next generation of diplomats at NFATC! Our Charles B. Rangel and Thomas R. Pickering Fellows spent a day at NFATC learning about the immersive and rigorous training for Foreign Service Officers, enabling all employees to defend and advance U.S. national interests.

Acting Director Stephens opened by sharing NFATC’s mission—and how our alignment with the Bureau of Personnel and Training (PERT) advances Secretary Rubio’s vision of a Foreign Service that makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

These interns represent that future: driven, committed, and ready to carry out the President’s foreign policy objectives with integrity and purpose. We look forward to welcoming them back at NFATC soon, as full-fledged Foreign Service Officers.

NEW at NFATC: a homegrown AI tool to help diplomats sharpen their skills – the Ambassador Briefing Bot.

This innovative training exercise simulates interactions with a U.S. Ambassador and provides real-time feedback to high-stakes scenarios, ensuring Foreign Service Officers are prepared for the most challenging assignments overseas.

NFATC equips U.S. diplomats with the training and resources needed to be prepared. Meet the Ambassador Briefing Bot:

NFATC Launches “Ambassador Briefing Bot” to Transform Diplomatic Training By David Arnold and Assia Jami As artificial intelligence reshapes economies and societies, America's diplomatic edge may soon depend on mastering this emerging technology. Imagine a diplomatic corps where every representative has practiced dozens of high-pressure briefings before their first real-w

We’re celebrating a big milestone – 1,000 followers! 🎉

Thank you for being a part of our growing community. We look forward to sharing more about the value and impact of the training happening every day at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center. Stay tuned for more updates and stories!

How does diplomacy impact the economy? From ensuring safe trade to helping American businesses succeed, the efforts of foreign affairs professionals are vital, and their training journey begins at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center.

Learn about the crucial work of diplomats in the global economy:

Trade & Commerce - The National Museum of American Diplomacy America’s strong position in the global economy can be credited to its diplomats, who work around the world and around the clock for the benefit of America’s economy and its consumers and businesses.

This week, NFATC brought staff together to hear Acting Director Bill Stephens share his vision for a more agile, efficient, and mission-focused NFATC.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to delivering high-quality training that equips the workforce to advance U.S. interests.

NFATC WINS BIG! The cybersecurity team at NFATC earned the “Most Innovative Solution” award from the Federal Information Security Educators Association (FISSEA) for advancing cybersecurity training at the State Department!

Learn more about how NFATC has made cybersecurity training smarter, faster, and more accessible to keep our networks secure:

NFATC Wins National Award for Cybersecurity Training Innovation The National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC) has received national recognition for its bold, future-forward approach to cybersecurity training from the Federal Information Security Educators Association (FISSEA) Awareness and Training Contest: People’s Choice Awards. As part of the State D...

Congratulations to Ambassador Maria Brewer on 29 years of government service!

Ambassador Brewer has stepped down as Acting Director of NFATC after a long and accomplished career at the State Department. She previously served as Deputy Director since 2024 and has served at countless posts overseas throughout her tenure in the Foreign Service. We are grateful for her leadership and dedication!