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Alright friends, it's getting down to crunchtime. My test is happening this Saturday. Any last little bits of advice that you can throw at me? I've worked on my civics knowledge, kept up on the news, and am brushing up on my geography. edit: also what's the deal with consecutive postings? I know it's way too early in the game to consider such things, but is it possible to return to the same post repeatedly? Vulich the Subtle fucked around with this message at 17:11 on Feb 4, 2013 |
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Feb 4, 2013 16:38
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hitension posted:I can understand why Afghanistan would be considered a hardship, but what's so bad about a lot of the other places? Chengdu is pretty developed. Lets see if this Awful iOS app can attach pics to posts. If so, here was today's air quality. 
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Feb 4, 2013 17:04
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1of7 posted:Lets see if this Awful iOS app can attach pics to posts. If so, here was today's air quality. Do your apartment and the embassy have crazy air filtration systems, or is that differential to pay for treating all of the lung cancer you'll have in 20 years?
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Feb 4, 2013 17:08
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Apartment has 1 in each room (2 in each of the 2 bigger rooms) & consulate has quite a few of them throughout also. It's not too bad as long as you don't mind staying indoors all of the time & almost never seeing the sun (Chengdu supposedly gets 30 days of sunshine a year.)
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Feb 4, 2013 17:19
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ATI Jesus posted:I have more than 20 first tour officers at post and they are largely a bunch of crybabies who think they'll be going to Prague/London/Paris for their second tour. Christ where are you serving? I need to make sure I never serve with/hire these tools until they've been smacked around a bit more by reality.
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Feb 4, 2013 18:49
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the_chavi posted:Christ where are you serving? I need to make sure I never serve with/hire these tools until they've been smacked around a bit more by reality. He's in Brazil like me... different spots though.
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Feb 4, 2013 19:01
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SCRwM posted:From reading over the responses, is it best to bid on a hardship post for your first tour just to set your expectations and get you in the right frame of mind? It would seem that if your first post is say Vienna and then you go to say Kinshasa you would get your mind set to "hey this isn't so bad" to "holy crap what did I sign up for"? I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all approach but I don't think taking on a hardship post at the same time as adjusting to a new job would have made either one any easier. Obviously it can be done and turn out to be a great experience, but I don't see any reason to actively seek out a differential post your first time unless you just want to. Congrats on your OA!
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Feb 4, 2013 20:08
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Took the FSOT test again this morning, I think it went pretty well. In a month we will see and then hopefully on to my arch-nemesis, the QEP!
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Feb 4, 2013 22:36
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Business of Ferrets posted:I'm more of the "bird in the hand" philosophy: get the best you can, every time. As a generalist, the only time it makes sense to go somewhere in hope of the promise of a future somewhere better is if you can link an assignment in AIP. The only other time equity counts is going from first to second tour, but since you can't actually pick your first tour (and there are no guarantees for the follow on) I think people are better off going somewhere they want to, if they can, then worrying about the next tour later. I guess consular assignments work similarly to entry-level, so maybe that is an exception. But for most generalists, your first tour is real luck, and you make your own luck after that. Now, if you have always dreamed of learning Haitian Creole for a job there, you're probably set. Nothing at all wrong with that. Ditto Spanish and the Mexican Border. But I know more than a few FSOs who have stayed in Western Europe for their entire careers, and they seem OK with that, too. As it relates to those those few FSOs who have stayed in Western Europe their entire careers, at what point in their career does it hurt their career advancement? FS1? Or does it even hurt their careers? Does the same hold true for specialists?
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Feb 5, 2013 02:57
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I took the FSOT and ran out of time halfway through the final sentence of my essay. How hosed am I?
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Feb 5, 2013 03:41
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Coin posted:I took the FSOT and ran out of time halfway through the final sentence of my essay. How hosed am I? A little bi In other news, found out today I received my class 1 and passed a .17 language, not even 4 weeks after OA  And all this time I'd been mentally preparing that it might take until May/JuneOther other news, did anyone see JK's opening remarks at main state? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdFMJcXB9w8 I thought it was a great speech. It's awesome that a diplobrat is at the helm, bodes well for FS. Kerry is going to be a great secstate, incredible poise, very eloquent, right priorities and experience in foreign affairs. He's got a great sense of humor to boot, loved the story about riding a bicycle on a diplomatic passport to the DDR - 'Kerry's early Communist connections!'
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Feb 5, 2013 05:09
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joe123456 posted:As it relates to those those few FSOs who have stayed in Western Europe their entire careers, at what point in their career does it hurt their career advancement? FS1? Or does it even hurt their careers? For generalists, depends on your definition of career. If your goal is to make Senior Foreign Service, then yes. There are certain things you need to do for that. On the other hand, I've read somewhere (blanking on the source,) that the FS-01 level is supposed to be the culmination of a successful career for most officers.
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Feb 5, 2013 16:50
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Is there a new version of the FSOT? I bought my preparation guide (for the 3rd edition) two years ago, is it already out of date?
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Feb 5, 2013 19:05
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Radio Talmudist posted:Is there a new version of the FSOT? I bought my preparation guide (for the 3rd edition) two years ago, is it already out of date? The test is different every year. The format is the same, however. I'd say your study guide is still relevant to give you the types of questions that are on the test.
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Feb 5, 2013 19:33
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Okay, so I did some inquiry about the E-QIP and SF-86 issue. It turns out that if you are asked to submit another E-QIP for federal employment, you create a new account and log into E-QIP and the SF-86 form will repopulate with the previous information you entered. So don't panic if you lost your copy of the SF-86! ___ I'm trying to anticipate what my time-frame for the FSOT will be like for the next year, since I'm going to Turkey to start a job this coming spring. What is the typical length of time starting from the written exam to being placed on the register? (I'm expecting my hypothetical security clearance to take a long time due to dual citizenship and significant time abroad) I know I'm playing futile mind-games with myself, but I have to ask; I was stupid and experimented with marijuana in the past 2 months which coincided with my graduation from college. I've stopped now, but would it be worth going through the OA if I pass? I would hate to buy a intercontinental ticket to the USA, pass the OA, but then get denied clearance because not enough time has elapsed to mitigate it.
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Feb 5, 2013 21:46
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Gumog posted:
At least a year under most circumstances. Of course, the process being what it is means that when you bank on it taking a year, yours will take six months. You can always be placed on "do not call" for the register. Gumog posted:
You really shouldn't try to guess what the security clearance process will be. I wouldn't be surprised at all if you got a clearance given the fact that by the time you get to the interview it will likely be closer to a year since it happened and it was random one off event. They clearance folks don't have necessarily have a formala that says, "given X event, of nature Y, we require Z days to elapse before we will consider a clearance".
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Feb 5, 2013 22:43
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Saho posted:They clearance folks don't have necessarily have a formula that says, "given X event, of nature Y, we require Z days to elapse before we will consider a clearance". Seriously, read the website with the DoD clearance rejection/acceptance cases, there are a ton of people who've done a whole bunch of stuff you'd think would disqualify them from a clearance, but lo and behold, at the end of it, they got approved.
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Feb 5, 2013 22:59
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Gold and a Pager posted:Seriously, read the website with the DoD clearance rejection/acceptance cases, there are a ton of people who've done a whole bunch of stuff you'd think would disqualify them from a clearance, but lo and behold, at the end of it, they got approved. In the case of weed specifically, it's usually a huge mitigating factor to disclose all of the details regarding past usage. For lower clearances, it's very possible to be granted one even with felony drug convictions for marijuana on your record. I know, because I have a friend who was in that situation. He almost got it denied because he failed to disclose the conviction (apparently he forgot about it--don't ask, I have no idea  ) but he still got it in the end. It just took a lot longer to adjudicate. Also, he wasn't dealing.All this is to say, not disclosing past usage or convictions is considered a much, much bigger deal than being busted a couple times and owning up to it.
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Feb 5, 2013 23:24
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IMS shadow register for those in the process... https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0An5l-Kw9Zm-GdEJVXzduSWF4UWtfMTRlSkNoenB0cWc&usp=sharing#gid=0
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Feb 6, 2013 01:03
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problematique posted:IMS shadow register for those in the process... Previous classes to mine probably had a majority former military. Adding up our IMS class, we were around 70/30 civilian bias (maybe 80/20). Looks like we're going even further that way. All that said, I still miss our old cable system and our other stuff.
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Feb 6, 2013 02:08
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So, since I'm likely to fall off the register in July due to always missing a class due to issues and being on DNC (likely missing a March/April class if they're offered due to surgery), should I/can I reapply if another vacancy opens up, or do I have to wait until I fall off completely in order to go through this again?
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Feb 6, 2013 02:30
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You can reapply as soon as you're eligible. I'm considering taking the FSOT again just because I'm not sure if I'll make it off the register.
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Feb 6, 2013 02:43
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Thursday I take my FSOT test. I'm nervous about it.
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Feb 6, 2013 05:27
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CeramicPig posted:Thursday I take my FSOT test. I'm nervous about it. Good luck!
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Feb 6, 2013 13:53
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CeramicPig posted:Thursday I take my FSOT test. I'm nervous about it. Good luck! Just get as much sleep as you can tonight, and give yourself plenty of time in the morning, so you won't feel rushed.
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Feb 6, 2013 17:22
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Just got my March A-100 invite! I don't know that there are words for how excited I am right now.
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Feb 7, 2013 01:44
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Continuous posted:Just got my March A-100 invite! I don't know that there are words for how excited I am right now. Congrats!!
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Feb 7, 2013 02:00
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Continuous posted:Just got my March A-100 invite! I don't know that there are words for how excited I am right now. Excellent!
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Feb 7, 2013 02:02
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Continuous posted:Just got my March A-100 invite! I don't know that there are words for how excited I am right now. Congrats! Going to A-100 or Specialist training?
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Feb 7, 2013 02:11
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Business of Ferrets posted:Excellent! One more for our ranks. Soon...
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Feb 7, 2013 03:06
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problematique posted:Congrats! Going to A-100 or Specialist training? A-100, Political cone.
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Feb 7, 2013 03:38
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question on the EPAP or other EFM programs. I might get posted to London for 3x years as a DoD civilian. Would my wife qualify for the EPAP program even though we aren't State employees? We would both receive black passports if that matters. She's currently qualified to perform an entry level FS position in terms of possessing the right skills and basic employment requirements (bachelors, multiple foreign languages, etc) but doesn't have a clearance. So assuming that she is eligible for the program, would she first have to get sponsored for a clearance? And if so, who would be the sponsoring agent? edit: also if it helps - the current person filling the position also has a wife. I'm not sure if she ever found a job, but there was someone in the Embassy helping her with job placement as part of his duties Happydayz fucked around with this message at 03:58 on Feb 7, 2013 |
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Feb 7, 2013 03:45
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Continuous posted:A-100, Political cone. That's what I'm talkin' about!
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Feb 7, 2013 05:36
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Continuous posted:A-100, Political cone. Hey congrats! As a CA hopeful I am jealous  This seems like either a very small A-100 class, or one with a lot of Pickering scholars.
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Feb 7, 2013 05:42
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Happydayz posted:question on the EPAP or other EFM programs. Don't DoD civvies / DoD personnel usually get maroon's & not black? (they do get blacks, rarely) But I think the clearance would be the biggest obstacle. State would have to sponsor it if you went EPAP. Careers.state.gov is a good resource and has Q&A with answers straight from HR.
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Feb 7, 2013 05:42
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Skandiaavity posted:Don't DoD civvies / DoD personnel usually get maroon's & not black? (they do get blacks, rarely) It depends...DOD under the US Embassy umbrella usually get diplomatic passports. Unless you have the "get out of jail free card" with your black passport, a black or maroon passport doesn't really matter.
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Feb 7, 2013 06:24
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the visa is the 'get out of jail free' card. Actually sometimes not even that, in Philippines, for example, you're issued a dip ID in some places which is a literal get-out-of-jail free card. They couldn't really care whether or not you're on a dip visa, just if you have that card or not. Whereas the maroon one is an "official" passport and strictly based on my experience usually given the members of armed services. As far as actual travelling goes, again, they look at your visa than passport. (although, the black passport has "Diplomatic" on it and it's easy to get an implied false impression. Some misuse it to pick up local girls/guys.)
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Feb 7, 2013 06:57
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Happydayz posted:question on the EPAP or other EFM programs. PMed...
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Feb 7, 2013 12:08
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Skandiaavity posted:the visa is the 'get out of jail free' card. Actually sometimes not even that, in Philippines, for example, you're issued a dip ID in some places which is a literal get-out-of-jail free card. They couldn't really care whether or not you're on a dip visa, just if you have that card or not. Your host country dip, A/T ID (not passport or visa) is what gives you your host country immunities. Many times, countries will respect the passport and visa (checkpoints, etc.), but if push comes to shove, you're on the losing end.
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Feb 7, 2013 12:14
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TCD posted:Your host country dip, A/T ID (not passport or visa) is what gives you your host country immunities. Many times, countries will respect the passport and visa (checkpoints, etc.), but if push comes to shove, you're on the losing end. Ukraine gives out dip IDs that are just card stock with your details typed on it, your picture glued on, and badly laminated. Outside of Kiev where the authorities were used to seeing them people used their passports because border guards and whatnot would just laugh at the IDs.
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Feb 7, 2013 13:29
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