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5.9? Barring clearances and hiring, the outlook appears favorable. Haven't heard of any hiring snags yet, but there was a recent GAO report which said State lacks middle management. (which is somewhat true). So they might make it a point to keep consistent hiring numbers. Which cone were you again?
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Jul 18, 2012 22:48
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Miscreant Fromage posted:Just got back from my OA, got a 5.9. I think the structured interview was the hardest for me because I tend to ramble when I get nervous. Now onto the medical & security clearance! Nicely done! That score is almost certain to get you a job offer as long as security and medical work out! Which cone? e: beaten like a red-headed stepchild
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Jul 18, 2012 22:49
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 drat. Good score. Good luck! I've been waiting on Security for about 3 months now. edit to add: Please don't be my cone! (no offense) Tyro fucked around with this message at 22:54 on Jul 18, 2012 |
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Jul 18, 2012 22:50
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Also, this is why you sign up for the track you want, not the track that seems easiest.
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Jul 18, 2012 22:52
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OMS. There were only three of us there and I was the only one who passed. I just finished my FSO PNQs 2 days ago, they were due yesterday so we'll see what happens there. The librarian position closes on the 20th so I'm really hoping that one pans out. But heck, I'll take whatever route I can. The interviewer told me after they gave me the good news that if the IRO thing doesn't work out, give it a year as an OMS and then they have a program to help try to move into other areas or something and after tenure I could do the Mustang program if I wanted to go that route...I was still in OMG I PASSED mode so I don't remember her exact words.
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Jul 18, 2012 22:59
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Miscreant Fromage posted:OMS. There were only three of us there and I was the only one who passed. I just finished my FSO PNQs 2 days ago, they were due yesterday so we'll see what happens there. The librarian position closes on the 20th so I'm really hoping that one pans out. But heck, I'll take whatever route I can. The interviewer told me after they gave me the good news that if the IRO thing doesn't work out, give it a year as an OMS and then they have a program to help try to move into other areas or something and after tenure I could do the Mustang program if I wanted to go that route...I was still in OMG I PASSED mode so I don't remember her exact words. Oh, ok. Actually, I'm not sure how that score works on the OMS scale. But congrats on passing!
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Jul 18, 2012 23:05
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OA for IMS is in a week and change. Still hacking away at my SF-86, even though my responses from my previous one carried over, it's been a heck of a time. Biggest has been straightening out a bunch of foreign travel and explaining work/living situation while contracting in a warzone. And finding people to put down for vouching. I know it's going to be hot and humid in DC but I hope it won't be.
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Jul 19, 2012 00:08
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Business of Ferrets posted:Oh, ok. Actually, I'm not sure how that score works on the OMS scale. But congrats on passing! Someone posted on the yahoo boards recently they got a september invite about 2 days ago, as they were 'no. 3' on the register with a 5.97.. i forget which specific register it was, but I think it was OMS. For IMS, as of the July class (i.e. today), there were only 25 IMS left on the register. There is a July OA soon, and September invites are going out as I type, so that number isn't static. So for potential IMS candidates, I would say shoot for a 5.8 as your minimum if you want to feel confident about an invite. edit yeah: it's hot and humid. Expect 90's or 100's with at least 50% humidity. For your OA, sadly you've gotta wear a suit. (Get it tailored if it isn't)
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Jul 19, 2012 03:54
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Miscreant Fromage posted:Just got back from my OA, got a 5.9. I think the structured interview was the hardest for me because I tend to ramble when I get nervous. Now onto the medical & security clearance! Congrats! Skandiaavity posted:Someone posted on the yahoo boards recently they got a september invite about 2 days ago, as they were 'no. 3' on the register with a 5.97.. i forget which specific register it was, but I think it was OMS. Just to show how widely the registers can vary, apparently PD right now has a 5.4 at #16. But the registers are much shorter now than they were in 2010 when nearly every register was at or over 150 people. Back in 2010, I was in the high 50's (out of over 200 at one point) in POL with a 5.67 (though I eventually got down to the low 30's I think before I got my offer).
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Jul 19, 2012 08:43
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Miscreant Fromage posted:Just got back from my OA, got a 5.9. I think the structured interview was the hardest for me because I tend to ramble when I get nervous. Now onto the medical & security clearance! Congratulations! That sounds like a great score. Submitted my PNQs a couple of days ago. Not confident, but I could get lucky!
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Jul 19, 2012 14:31
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Oh the joys of bidding
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Jul 19, 2012 17:30
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TCD posted:Oh the joys of bidding It's got to be better than the entry level bidding right? Right... ?
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Jul 20, 2012 02:43
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TCD posted:Oh the joys of bidding Hey where were you in AF before?
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Jul 20, 2012 04:06
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Saho posted:It's got to be better than the entry level bidding right? Entry level seems easier than this.
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Jul 20, 2012 05:00
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Saho posted:It's got to be better than the entry level bidding right? If you're well connected, ML bidding is better. If not, EL is better, since at least you have a proportional chance of getting something good when you're directed. I only bid EL coming out of A-100; everything else was mid-level. Waaaay better than being directed by CDOs whose job it is to fill holes with bodies. . . .
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Jul 20, 2012 05:05
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I get the impression that it sucks more doing the research and grunt work, but is way better in terms of what you can pull if you do it right.
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Jul 20, 2012 10:43
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Business of Ferrets posted:If you're well connected, ML bidding is better. luv2bid 
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Jul 20, 2012 11:35
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Vilerat posted:luv2bid Hey dude, my boss said I'm a maybe for Oct. and I see no conflicts for Nov except the wife. See what your contact thinks.
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Jul 20, 2012 17:45
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Diplomaticus posted:
Bern is amazing - did my last two years of high school there while my folks worked at the embassy. The Aare river is one of the greatest swimming locations on earth, and only about 50 meters from the embassy... make sure to grab schnitzel and a liter of Märzen at the Altes Tramdepot when you get to town. And there's this awesome statue in the middle of a fountain at Zeitplatz (which is also the place to go for public intoxication come New Year's) 
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Jul 22, 2012 07:00
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TCD posted:Hey dude, my boss said I'm a maybe for Oct. and I see no conflicts for Nov except the wife. Vile, also Dec. I'm headed into work today and I'll talk to my boss about getting approval for Nov and Dec which I think I can get without any complications.
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Jul 22, 2012 13:58
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TCD posted:Vile, also Dec. Oh god. I'm going to get both of us killed aren't I. Shoot me a mail and I'll send your name their way.
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Jul 22, 2012 15:38
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Skandiaavity posted:Congratulations to the 126th Specialist class - saw you around today. hope your first days are going good. Thanks. Just turned in our Bid list. Let's just say it will be rather interesting on Flag Day. Anyone around FSI... send me a message. Is there a FS group for those in it? mtreecorner fucked around with this message at 01:57 on Jul 25, 2012 |
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Jul 25, 2012 01:50
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mtreecorner posted:Thanks. Just turned in our Bid list. Let's just say it will be rather interesting on Flag Day. Cool.. any place interesting? What were your top 3? I'll be around FSI or SA-11 until the fall. There is a google group (submit a request for access, Diplomaticus runs it). Has some more info.
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Jul 25, 2012 04:55
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This is nuts. There are so drat many of us now. Also you all have a huge advantage cause networking is everything when it comes to getting awesome assignments.
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Jul 25, 2012 08:08
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Vilerat posted:This is nuts. There are so drat many of us now. Also you all have a huge advantage cause networking is everything when it comes to getting awesome assignments. Or getting TDYs 
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Jul 25, 2012 13:40
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mtreecorner posted:
I'm here through next week. I know the IMS speaking to your class this afternoon, so I might try to come by & say hi to them just before or after that section. What was your specialty again?
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Jul 25, 2012 14:43
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Skandiaavity posted:Cool.. any place interesting? What were your top 3? I'll be around FSI or SA-11 until the fall. Well, my top are Beijing, New Delhi, Mongolia, Bogota, Tunis, Georgia, and Sri Lanka. My bottom three DC, Chad, and Nigeria. I have Yemen as a middle bid... so who knows. We have 20 people for 20 spots. Anyone have good/bad things to say on Yemen? 1of7 posted:I'm here through next week. I know the IMS speaking to your class this afternoon, so I might try to come by & say hi to them just before or after that section. OMS. Both of you can look for me if you can. I am wearing a green tie today / light grey pin stripe suit. emailEme at mtreecorner at gmail. mtreecorner fucked around with this message at 16:11 on Jul 25, 2012 |
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Jul 25, 2012 16:08
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Yemen: You will have a crazy time as an OMS. You will almost certainly be involuntarily evacced. I think Sana'a holds the record for most evacuations.
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Jul 25, 2012 16:22
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mtreecorner posted:
The deputy pol chief who'll get there next summer is one of my closest friends and one of the sweetest, most genuine, hardest working people you'll ever meet. There is nothing else good about Yemen.
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Jul 25, 2012 19:01
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Bidding instructions out today. Anybody on this cycle? First time ML for me. Will prob just go back to DC to simplify things med clearance-wise.
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Jul 25, 2012 19:37
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Zoots posted:Bidding instructions out today. Anybody on this cycle? First time ML for me. Will prob just go back to DC to simplify things med clearance-wise. I'm trying to organize an extension in Tripoli, otherwise I'd be bidding with/against you. Any ideas about what you're looking for? Any interest in going back to NEA positions? I'm looking at D(B)/MET or NEA/FO when I go back, probably aiming to arrive in 2014. Alternately a nice desk job...
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Jul 25, 2012 20:06
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Packout report!  One day down, two to go.
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Jul 25, 2012 22:27
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Zoots posted:Bidding instructions out today. Anybody on this cycle? First time ML for me. Will prob just go back to DC to simplify things med clearance-wise. Yeah, a few of us IMSs are.
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Jul 25, 2012 22:42
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mtreecorner posted:Well, my top are Beijing, New Delhi, Mongolia, Bogota, Tunis, Georgia, and Sri Lanka. I know the IMS going to Colombo, pretty good guy. I also know a USAID guy in Mongolia, he likes it there. (Note: he also liked Kabul and Jakarta) I would avoid Beijing or Yemen for a first post, to be honest. It's probably a good experience, but there's a lot of stuff to know prior to ship out. A smaller post in China like Chengdu would be preferable. Skandiaavity fucked around with this message at 22:56 on Jul 25, 2012 |
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Jul 25, 2012 22:53
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mtreecorner posted:Well, my top are Beijing, New Delhi, Mongolia, Bogota, Tunis, Georgia, and Sri Lanka. Naturally, I know several people in Beijing. I visited there for just a few days and it seemed pretty nice. I know IMSes in both Mongolia & Sri Lanka too.
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Jul 25, 2012 23:40
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the_chavi posted:There is nothing good about Yemen. This is the most important part of his post.
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Jul 26, 2012 02:34
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Homie S posted:This is the most important part of his post. Yeah. I always approached EL bidding as never put anything H or M that you wouldn't want to serve at. First time up I got my #1 pick, partly because nobody wanted Kigali and the second tour I got my #3 choice. Which, looking at it, was a really great pick, and probably better than 1 and 2 work wise.
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Jul 26, 2012 12:38
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the_chavi posted:The deputy pol chief who'll get there next summer is one of my closest friends and one of the sweetest, most genuine, hardest working people you'll ever meet. There is nothing else good about Yemen. The OMS spot there is with the DCM.... so take that for what it is.
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Jul 26, 2012 13:13
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the_chavi posted:I'm trying to organize an extension in Tripoli, otherwise I'd be bidding with/against you. Any ideas about what you're looking for? Any interest in going back to NEA positions? I'm looking at D(B)/MET or NEA/FO when I go back, probably aiming to arrive in 2014. Alternately a nice desk job... I'm open to staying overseas but given my current med clearance I will likely go domestic. Pipe dream postings include USUN press and Ops. If I go back to NEA I would like to try for Oman or Israel. Something a little more low key, y'know?
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Jul 26, 2012 13:15
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So I'm in the middle of my Peace Corps service and about to finish training. I asked the charge d'affaires when she spoke to us if they offer the FSOT at the embassy and she said they did once a year. Great! But it will be a bit hard to study for it from the middle of the African savannah. Did anyone take the FSOT (and pass it?) during Peace Corps service here? I'm interested in what you think. I'll certainly try it both years I'm here in West Africa, but if there are any tips, I'd love to hear.
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Jul 26, 2012 13:26
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