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TCD posted:What's your onward? First to DC for a year of language training, then back to Asia. Ah, Asia. . . .
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May 19, 2011 16:06
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Business of Ferrets posted:First to DC for a year of language training, then back to Asia. Ah, Asia. . . . Nice... You in DC July-August?
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May 19, 2011 18:18
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nm posted:Apparently the food is good. It's really impressively good. Sunday prime rib days owned.
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May 20, 2011 09:10
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TCD posted:Nice... You in DC July-August? Yup, I'll be there. Also, I can be updated in the OP as starting the two-year Japanese program this fall, followed by a year in Yokohama and then a few years in Tokyo. 
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May 22, 2011 16:57
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Vilerat posted:It's really impressively good. Sunday prime rib days owned. The overall quality went down during my year there, but it still is far better than most DFACs and not bad at all, all things considered.
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May 22, 2011 17:01
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Business of Ferrets posted:Yup, I'll be there. Currently thinking about the FSO and have decent knowledge of French and Mandarin, so I have a question about the language aspect. Do you have any prior Japanese knowledge? If yes, does the FS automatically provide 2 years of instruction if you test at any level below 3, even if you're a 2 or 2+? If no, why were you picked when Japanese is neither a SCN nor CN language? Are there not that many people who speak good Japanese and would want to go to (what I assume is) a nice post in Tokyo?
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May 22, 2011 17:39
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No prior Japanese. At the mid-levels and above, jobs are all about who you know. I had lots of strong supporters helping me get it, and going to Iraq sealed the deal. I'm getting the training because the position requires it. Also, since I have no Japan background, it will set me up nicely for a career there. Plenty of people wanted the job; similar jobs regularly get 20-30 bidders. Many, if not all, probably already had the language. But Iraq essentially removed most of the competition, so it worked out in my favor. If you test between a 0 and a 3, you probably would receive a "top off" training course of far less than two years (or whatever the full course is for a specific language).
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May 22, 2011 18:39
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Business of Ferrets posted:No prior Japanese. At the mid-levels and above, jobs are all about who you know. I had lots of strong supporters helping me get it, and going to Iraq sealed the deal. I'm getting the training because the position requires it. Also, since I have no Japan background, it will set me up nicely for a career there. Plenty of people wanted the job; similar jobs regularly get 20-30 bidders. Many, if not all, probably already had the language. But Iraq essentially removed most of the competition, so it worked out in my favor. Maybe i missed it; what exactly are you gonna do over there that puts you past a normal length tour? (you can PM me if you want) Also I didn't know FSOs were also getting preference out of AIP. Glad that worked out for you.
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May 23, 2011 00:38
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Homie S posted:Maybe i missed it; what exactly are you gonna do over there that puts you past a normal length tour? (you can PM me if you want) Everything about the tour is standard. The main incentive for AIP regarding assignments is the ability to line up one's follow-on job at the same time one commits to AIP service.
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May 23, 2011 02:27
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Hey Natural Ice you should be starting soon right?
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May 23, 2011 04:25
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Business of Ferrets posted:No prior Japanese. At the mid-levels and above, jobs are all about who you know. I had lots of strong supporters helping me get it, and going to Iraq sealed the deal. I'm getting the training because the position requires it. Also, since I have no Japan background, it will set me up nicely for a career there. Plenty of people wanted the job; similar jobs regularly get 20-30 bidders. Many, if not all, probably already had the language. But Iraq essentially removed most of the competition, so it worked out in my favor. Thanks. Another question: I saw in an earlier post of yours the different course lengths for different difficulties of languages, ranging from 44 to 88 weeks I think it was, but is there anything like the DLAB that could lock you out or are you just assumed to be able to learn any language since they pay you to do nothing but that?
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May 23, 2011 05:51
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Business of Ferrets posted:Everything about the tour is standard. Huh. Never thought about it like that before. So basically you were running for this gig and you were able to use the fact that you were going to AIP before you were even there. That's awesome.
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May 23, 2011 07:44
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It's one of the better incentives on offer; I know generalists are eligible if they bid AIP early enough in the cycle. I don't understand why so many FSOs going to AIP don't take advantage of it; most officers in my office in Baghdad wound up bidding normally this past year because they didn't link from the beginning. 
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May 23, 2011 09:26
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USDA Choice posted:Thanks. Another question: I saw in an earlier post of yours the different course lengths for different difficulties of languages, ranging from 44 to 88 weeks I think it was, but is there anything like the DLAB that could lock you out or are you just assumed to be able to learn any language since they pay you to do nothing but that? Don't know if it is still done this way, but when I came in we all took the MLAT. We got a score, but it never had any bearing on language assignments. Most people self-select into hard/easy language programs, but if someone just couldn't learn a hard language they eventually would probably wind up in Spanish-speaking jobs, since that's about the easiest language out there with a lot of positions. But like I said, this usually is a self-selection process.
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May 23, 2011 09:37
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Business of Ferrets posted:Yup, I'll be there. Hey, congratulations! A year in Iraq is worth a career in Tokyo, huh..
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May 23, 2011 14:42
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What is AIP? It will be good to know once I start taking the test this Fall. And another question: Doing a Masters in Public Affairs starting this autumn. If I, somehow, get in immediately (which will probably take at least a year) you are allowed to defer the start time for up to 6 months, correct? Being able to finish school would be nice, especially with that sweet starting pay boost for a Masters.
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May 23, 2011 15:41
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Slaan posted:What is AIP? It will be good to know once I start taking the test this Fall. Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan. All three technically are staffed on emergency status, and so are special cases with special incentives. Slaan posted:And another question: Doing a Masters in Public Affairs starting this autumn. If I, somehow, get in immediately (which will probably take at least a year) you are allowed to defer the start time for up to 6 months, correct? Being able to finish school would be nice, especially with that sweet starting pay boost for a Masters. Once you go on the register (i.e. you pass the FSOT and FSOA, and complete your security and medical clearances) you have 18 months until you expire. If you turn down two A-100 class offers your candidacy ends. I believe currently you can request to be put on "do not call" status for as long as you like, though the 18-month clock keeps ticking. Depending on your score and hiring levels, it could be wise to take the earliest job offered.
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May 23, 2011 16:08
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Diplomaticus posted:Hey Natural Ice you should be starting soon right? Today was my first day of A-100 actually! Still taking everything in and trying to remember everyones names. Still very pumped and looking forward to bidding and finding out where we'll end up. 
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May 24, 2011 02:50
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Congrats! I thought I saw a bunch more suits walking around today.
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May 24, 2011 03:00
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Anyone know the A-100 starting dates for the rest of the year? Edit: Never mind. Here they are for reference: The current projected schedule is: 03/28/2011 05/06/2011 08:00-17:00 6 Weeks 15 98 0004 9 Shultz Center - F 2328 05/23/2011 07/01/2011 08:00-17:00 6 Weeks 15 98 0005 96 Shultz Center - F 2328 07/18/2011 08/26/2011 08:00-17:00 6 Weeks 15 98 0006 97 Shultz Center - F 2328 09/12/2011 10/21/2011 08:00-17:00 6 Weeks 15 98 0007 98 Shultz Center - F 2328 11/07/2011 12/16/2011 09:00-16:30 6 Weeks 15 98 0001 98 Shultz Center - F 2328 01/17/2012 02/24/2012 09:00-16:30 6 Weeks 15 98 0002 98 Shultz Center - F 2328 03/12/2012 04/20/2012 09:00-16:30 6 Weeks 15 98 0003 98 Shultz Center - F 2328 05/21/2012 06/29/2012 09:00-16:30 6 Weeks 15 98 0004 98 Shultz Center - F 2328 07/16/2012 08/24/2012 09:00-16:30 6 Weeks 15 98 0005 98 Shultz Center - F 2328 09/10/2012 10/19/2012 09:00-16:30 6 Weeks 15 98 0006 98 Shultz Center - F 2328 asuran fucked around with this message at 13:09 on May 24, 2011 |
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May 24, 2011 03:29
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Natural Ice posted:Today was my first day of A-100 actually! Still taking everything in and trying to remember everyones names. Still very pumped and looking forward to bidding and finding out where we'll end up. Nice, All of our entry level(both gen and spec) slots have been filled, so I don't think this post will be on anybodies list for a while. However, if you're thinking of Kampala or Bujumbura, drop me a PM.
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May 24, 2011 07:28
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TCD posted:Nice, I'm going to a mid-level position; so are several of my colleagues in AF.
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May 24, 2011 12:43
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Natural Ice posted:Today was my first day of A-100 actually! Still taking everything in and trying to remember everyones names. Still very pumped and looking forward to bidding and finding out where we'll end up. Also, if your class is as big as mine was (90-ish) don't worry about remembering everyone's names. Not even the coordinators will remember all of your names, or if they do it will take them at least until after the off-site and possibly until after flag day. With that many people it's just natural that the quieter ones will be harder to remember -- I still have trouble with a couple of them who just never said anything and never sat near me. You'll really start to bond with the offsite. That's where all the magic happens. Your new offsite location is amazing btw -- God bless Robert Byrd.
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May 24, 2011 12:49
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Diplomaticus posted:I'm going to a mid-level position; so are several of my colleagues in AF. As I understand it, due to the diplomacy 3.0 and some other things, a few mid level positions were assigned to recent A-100s. Including one here. We knew about this over a year ago that it would happen however. So for this purpose, I'm still calling it an entry level slot.
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May 24, 2011 12:59
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TCD posted:As I understand it, due to the diplomacy 3.0 and some other things, a few mid level positions were assigned to recent A-100s. Including one here. Yeah, apparently it's pretty widespread, didn't know if you were taking that into account.
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May 24, 2011 13:03
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Do specialists attend the same A-100 class as generalists, but on a shorter schedule? If so, are the above dates valid for specialists as well?
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May 24, 2011 13:15
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Nope, their orientation is I believe 3 weeks and on a different cycle.
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May 24, 2011 13:19
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Diplomaticus posted:Yeah, apparently it's pretty widespread, didn't know if you were taking that into account. Yeah, I should re-phrase, a HR directed assignment slot for new hires  . Our mid level was recently filled and could have been from your class Diplomaticus. The incumbent was a great FSO. Smart, knew his job cold and pretty much everything there was to know on the country, as he was both acting Pol-Econ chief for stretches, and extended for a 3rd year. The FSO picked up his 2 here. Good luck new guy! Oh, yeah, and most specialists have mandatory specialist training following the general orientation. Not every specialist class has all specialties included. TCD fucked around with this message at 13:23 on May 24, 2011 |
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May 24, 2011 13:20
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Thanks! There isn't any clear cut information about the schedule out there. I guess it depends on when they decide to hold classes.
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May 24, 2011 13:27
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TCD posted:Yeah, I should re-phrase, a HR directed assignment slot for new hires What post again? Kampala? Also that incumbent sounds like a rockstar.
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May 24, 2011 13:34
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Diplomaticus posted:What post again? Kampala? Also that incumbent sounds like a rockstar.
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May 24, 2011 13:43
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is there any way to find out the specialist orientation schedule? 3 weeks isn't so bad. (plus training). But seems more like it's just throwing you into the fray and you'll figure it out?
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May 24, 2011 22:37
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The 3 weeks just covers general stuff & is for all the specialists. Then they split up for specific specialist training. If you are IMS you have at least like 14 more weeks after that.
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May 24, 2011 22:44
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are housing covered during training, or..
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May 24, 2011 23:54
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Skandiaavity, the schedule for specialists is as follows for the rest of 2011: 06/06/11 06/24/11 3 weeks 0005 08/15/11 09/02/11 3 weeks 0006 09/26/11 10/14/11 3 weeks* 0007 Is your sec interview done? 1of7 and TCD, how many IMS were there at your orientations? Just trying to figure out how many on average are invited. Thanks!
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May 25, 2011 00:03
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yeah my interviews etc are all done. (wife's too).. told me to wait a month, which i'm obliging. have to do a follow up for medical clearance in a few weeks. I doubt we'll make the June class, but i'm hoping for August or September.
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May 25, 2011 00:11
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asuran posted:1of7 and TCD, how many IMS were there at your orientations? Just trying to figure out how many on average are invited. Thanks! Mine had 10.
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May 25, 2011 02:06
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Skandiaavity posted:are housing covered during training, or.. Assuming you aren't a local hire then you get per diem & can either find your own housing and get reimbursed or can participate in the Oakwood direct billing program (highly recommended & you still get the M&IE per diem.) If you already live within 50 miles of DC then you are considered a local hire and are pretty much on your own since they figure you already have housing.
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May 25, 2011 02:09
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gently caress, is there any way to change it or is it when the application is submitted? I remember Diplomaticus changed his, just not sure how. is the pay the same? (it seems like it would eat the salary out of local hires, giving per diem's an advantage of basically free rent in this town? or are local hires reimbursed as well?) I'd like to move into the Oakwood, but man if i'm gonna be on my own, it's pretty pricey  (is it possible to participate in the oakwood direct billing program as a local hire?) Skandiaavity fucked around with this message at 02:35 on May 25, 2011 |
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May 25, 2011 02:28
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Skandiaavity posted:gently caress, is there any way to change it or is it when the application is submitted? I remember Diplomaticus changed his, just not sure how. It's calculated by where you are living when you receive your offer. If it is within 50 miles of the Washington Monument, you are a local hire and are not eligible for per diem or the Oakwood housing. This is only the case for initial training and any DC assignments; if you come back for training between overseas assignments, you will get the per diem, etc. It really sucks for local hires, but it's just how it is. Been a point of contention for years and years.   Before you think about trying to game the system by somehow getting outside the 50-mile radius, consider the possible consequences of defrauding the government for a not-insignificant amount of money.
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May 25, 2011 02:45
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