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Thiessman's is perfect. 5 to whenever! (i'll be arriving at 6 or later due to traffic)
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Jun 24, 2011 02:52
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Alright homies I'm on my way over. Grey long sleeve polo.
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Jun 24, 2011 21:42
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Also congrats on flag day NI!
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Jun 24, 2011 21:43
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ill be in short sleeve grey polo, i think i can find you guys. will be there around 6-630
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Jun 24, 2011 22:18
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TCD posted:NEC compound, any first or second tour officer of state or aid has a mandatory attendance with assigned roles and responsibilities. In fact person organizing this is a DLI and it's happening in June so my goal of leaving on the first was foiled. Just one more way this NEC thing is gonna suck. Right now, it's fair to say that at our mission (on the AID side) if you're in town, you're expected to work the party, but no one's going to make you. At least, no one that I know of. I definitely know some people who are working, but nothing like the entire population of first/second tour officers. I guess the one good thing is that it'd get you out of work for a couple of hours.
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Jun 24, 2011 23:32
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gently caress. Just said goodbye to my best friend here. It's one of those friendships had we been in the states working normal jobs we'd still be friends. Hardest part about this gig 
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Jun 25, 2011 00:10
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Looks like I just missed you guys. Arrived around 7, spent 30 minutes looking for you but I guess y'all threw me under the bus  Eh, my fault  Sorry to hear that TCD
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Jun 25, 2011 01:28
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You must've just missed us as it was right around 7 when I left. Too bad, maybe next time.
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Jun 25, 2011 01:45
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1of7 posted:You must've just missed us as it was right around 7 when I left. Too bad, maybe next time. BoF and I hung outside for another 15 min or so before heading home. There'll be another time.
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Jun 25, 2011 04:02
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Business of Ferrets posted:Nah, I don't start work until after Labor Day, so I'm good. Also, don't think you get comp time if you officially are in travel status. You weren't in travel status? If it's official business and over 14 hours...
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Jun 25, 2011 16:25
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Diplomaticus posted:Also congrats on flag day NI! Thanks! Sorry I missed you guys yesterday, we ended up going out with the rest of my class and either congratulating some or reassuring others about their posts. As for my wife and I, we will be heading to beautiful Bangkok, Thailand next May! Thailand was near the top of our bid list and we are very excited about living and working in Southeast Asia.
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Jun 25, 2011 17:01
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FYI a hiring process for diplomatic couriers just opened if anyone is interested in that.
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Jun 28, 2011 18:25
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Dear IMS folks: Holy. poo poo. Y'all have a rough job. I've been here two days and have had no less than 6 meetings with IMS people to get poo poo fixed/setup (and none of them were simple issues or "you broke it" things.) My hat is waaaay off to y'all.
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Jun 29, 2011 14:20
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Diplomaticus posted:Dear IMS folks: The trick is to get promoted so you can sit at a desk and tell other people to pull cable or fix poo poo.
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Jun 29, 2011 15:18
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well, something to look forward to then! A bit too soon, but if anyone's in town in July, I'm still up for another meetup..
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Jun 29, 2011 16:26
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Passed the written!! 59.91 / 43.23 / 61.41 // 164.55 I never thought I'd clear this hurdle any time soon! I thought I had lovely 30-min essay writing skills, and I got a 6! [Edit: Ah, it's a 12-point scale, not a 6, so a 6 is more of a "barely passed," not an "outstanding."] I hear the QEP is a total drag, though. Any suggestions? DasNeonLicht fucked around with this message at 21:53 on Jun 29, 2011 |
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Jun 29, 2011 21:37
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Just found out I passed the written, 2nd time with the QEPs is hopefully the charm. How do I go about setting up my SCNL language test? Do I get a separate letter or do I have to contact ACT? Results for the FSOT Total 181.38 Biographical: 72.30 Job Knowledge: 56.80 English Expression: 52.28 Essay: 8
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Jun 29, 2011 21:52
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Just received notification that I passed the written exam. I've made it to OA several times now before getting dinged.
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Jun 29, 2011 22:31
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Diplomaticus posted:Dear IMS folks: True, but I got out of the initial hour and a half of greeting guests tonight due to an emergency PCC issue. I strolled in and 5 minutes later the Ambassador gave his remarks and final farewell. Under 48 hours. 
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Jun 29, 2011 22:54
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Passed with a 181! Thanks for all the amazing advice goons! Let the PN research begin...
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Jun 30, 2011 00:10
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Passed the written. Again. Time to do the QEP. Again. I hate that loving thing. Nice that they just give you the score breakdown now, it was always annoying having to separately request it. I think my score on the multiple choice parts was better than previous years. 177, with a 60.67 on the biographical part, I'm getting better at BSing that crap. Playing on a volleyball team with a bunch of foreigners helped on several questions. Why would that make me a better FSO again? For some reason my essay score has dropped every year though. That's probably not good. 8 this year, 9 last year, 11 the year before. Oh well, its always pointless. loving QEP.
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Jun 30, 2011 00:48
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Under 24 hours!
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Jun 30, 2011 20:28
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I'm still waiting on my FSOT results. Took the test June 6th, so any day now... The Diplomatic Courier position opened up again. It's open until July 18th. http://careers.state.gov/specialist/vacancy-announcements/dc edit: oh hey look at that, I PASSED WOOT. Bellum fucked around with this message at 23:10 on Jun 30, 2011 |
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Jun 30, 2011 22:20
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I'm still waiting on my FSOT results, too - although I received an email this morning about taking a language proficiency test in one of the two critical languages that I know, as part of the package for the QEP. So...I passed, I guess? Edit: Finally got my results and score breakdown. Passed - now on to the PN and seriously brushing up on my Farsi. Roark fucked around with this message at 15:50 on Jul 1, 2011 |
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Jul 1, 2011 00:24
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 e: must have been down. working now The Mantis fucked around with this message at 23:00 on Jul 1, 2011 |
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Jul 1, 2011 10:48
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I have my IMS OA in about a week. I’m a bit worried that I may crash and burn on the tech section of the interview. I have a ton of enterprise network experience with routing, switch, wireless, and VOIP with just about every major hardware vendor. My weak spot is going to be anything to do with servers and general PC repair type questions; I have not done that type of work in years. Does anyone have any advice on what to focus on? Does anyone know how the scoring works on the OA is it an average of your scores for each section? I have read that each section is independent and does not have an effect on the others is there any truth to this?
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Jul 1, 2011 18:39
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Angry_Ninja posted:I have my IMS OA in about a week. I’m a bit worried that I may crash and burn on the tech section of the interview. I have a ton of enterprise network experience with routing, switch, wireless, and VOIP with just about every major hardware vendor. My weak spot is going to be anything to do with servers and general PC repair type questions; I have not done that type of work in years. Does anyone have any advice on what to focus on? The IMS career is much more broad than just networking so I'd make it point to focus on general IT skills and management. Also if this doesn't sound fun I'd reconsider being an IMS. Also I am writing this in Europe.... First IMS tour done. Up for tenure on this board!
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Jul 2, 2011 09:01
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Congrats TCD! And good luck on tenure even though I'm sure you'll get it. I actually had a good time with our 4th party. We had a western theme so they had us IPC guys set up two working telegraph stations so people could send messages back and forth, or just tap at it and get a response from the other side. We actually procured turn of the century telegraph equipment and manuals. Showing it off was kind of fun.
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Jul 2, 2011 09:57
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TCD posted:The IMS career is much more broad than just networking so I'd make it point to focus on general IT skills and management. Also if this doesn't sound fun I'd reconsider being an IMS. Also I am writing this in Europe.... First IMS tour done. Up for tenure on this board! Congratulations on completing your first and tour and thank you for the advice. I’m not too worried about the other areas like management and soft skills; I manage quite a few people already at work. I think I just need to relax and take a deep breath. I’ve been trying to brush up on just about every topic imaginable to get an advantage going into the interview at this point I’m probably on overload. Time to step back and remember number one on my 12D sheet –composure.
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Jul 2, 2011 16:26
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Any of you State folks ever work with INL?
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Jul 3, 2011 08:55
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A few questions about this topic: Receiving D.C. as your first post. In what ways is it advantageous/disadvantageous? Would any of your 2nd/multiple tour guys have liked D.C. as your first post?
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Jul 4, 2011 22:30
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asuran posted:A few questions about this topic: Receiving D.C. as your first post. In what ways is it advantageous/disadvantageous? Would any of your 2nd/multiple tour guys have liked D.C. as your first post? Well you have a chance to make a lot of contacts which will help for assignments after your second... But you're in DC and could make it trickier for tenure as you'd be doing a 1/1 or 2 year consular gig w/ language if generalist and you'd be going to a hardship post. This also mans you'd be in DC for around 3 years before getting to your first post after lang training. I personally would have hated being in DC for my first or second tour. Also you're probably going to be a fs5 or 4 which means a very tight budget unless you have a lot of money in the bank or a spouse with a good job.
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Jul 5, 2011 01:15
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TCD posted:Well you have a chance to make a lot of contacts which will help for assignments after your second... But you're in DC and could make it trickier for tenure as you'd be doing a 1/1 or 2 year consular gig w/ language if generalist and you'd be going to a hardship post. This also mans you'd be in DC for around 3 years before getting to your first post after lang training. The tight budget makes sense. No housing paid if posted in D.C., correct? I am an IMS as well. Just planning for all scenarios. How is your new post? BTW, do specialists HAVE to take the language test at FSI if they claimed 2 or above on a language on the application? I speak two foreign languages but would rather take the test for one only if it helps lead to a geographic preference. asuran fucked around with this message at 01:54 on Jul 5, 2011 |
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Jul 5, 2011 01:50
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I'm sure someone will correct me if this is wrong, but I was told there are no domestic entry level IMS positions.
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Jul 5, 2011 04:52
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AKA Pseudonym posted:Congrats TCD! And good luck on tenure even though I'm sure you'll get it. Whoa that's rad. My 4th was pretty cool. I spent about an hour or so opening doors for people and saying "Good evening sir/ma'am" and then went in and mingled, met with a bunch of my contacts, met a bunch of foreign ministers, etc. Unfortunately I forgot to eat, so I missed out on the food other than two little canapes which were yummy. asuran posted:A few questions about this topic: Receiving D.C. as your first post. In what ways is it advantageous/disadvantageous? Would any of your 2nd/multiple tour guys have liked D.C. as your first post? Disadvantage: The pay is nowhere near as good. You don't get per diem, and you're paying DC prices for things. Also no COLA. Does not help you achieve tenure. You start literally immediately after A-100 ends (it'll end Friday, you start work on Monday). Advantage: You're probably working as a desk officer for a country, or in one of the functional bureaus doing something there. Example: one of my classmates from A-100 is a desk officer for another country here in Africa. She gets lots of contacts literally dropped right onto her desk, and it builds quite a bit of relationships and networking immediately. Also, if you want to be in DC, then there's that. TCD posted:Well you have a chance to make a lot of contacts which will help for assignments after your second... But you're in DC and could make it trickier for tenure as you'd be doing a 1/1 or 2 year consular gig w/ language if generalist and you'd be going to a hardship post. This also mans you'd be in DC for around 3 years before getting to your first post after lang training. DC Generalist tours are 1 year (as far as I'm aware), and Con Gen + language is basically 8-12 months. So 2 years. Also you can start bidding very soon after starting, which is nice, lets you line up the next position. But yeah, I wouldn't want to do it. -e- Oh you're IMS. I have no idea how it works for you. I don't even think you guys have entry level posts. Leif. fucked around with this message at 08:39 on Jul 5, 2011 |
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Jul 5, 2011 06:59
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asuran posted:The tight budget makes sense. No housing paid if posted in D.C., correct? I am an IMS as well. Just planning for all scenarios. You won't have to worry about DC as your first post then. Only DS people and IMTSs are posted domestically for their first tour. I don't beleive your obliged to test in a language unless your going to a language designated position, which is unlikely as an IMS.
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Jul 5, 2011 09:23
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I'm still in school and at least 2 years away from even taking the FSOT exam, but I just got done reading "Career Diplomacy" and I'd like to continue doing as much independent research and reading pertaining to the job and lifestyle as I can. Are there any other books that those working in the FS or have taken the exam would recommend?
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Jul 5, 2011 19:18
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I just submitted the application for the FSOT test later this year. I chose the consulate track. It's a couple months off so I'll probably look into studying for the test later.
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Jul 5, 2011 19:28
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Unless your background is in political science or history, you should probably start studying by reading the New York Times and a couple history for dummies books.
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Jul 6, 2011 01:14
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Phil Moscowitz posted:Unless your background is in political science or history, you should probably start studying by reading the New York Times and a couple history for dummies books.
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Jul 6, 2011 13:57
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