Gallucci left the world of academia in 1974 and went on to hold various positions relating to international affairs. He first found employment at the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Four years later, he became a division chief in the Department of State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research. From 1979 to 1981, he was a member of the Secretary's policy planning staff. He then served as an office director in both the Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs and in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs for a year each.