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d1rtbag posted:Our biggest problem has been convincing the doctors that they have to do everything State asks for - I give mine, my wife's and my son's all an 'F' for failing to follow simple instructions. Just because they think something "isn't important" doesn't mean they should do whatever they want. I suspect that it is primarily about : 1) Ego; and 2) What they think insurance will pay for. Yeah, and those specific med questions really do matter. There was one test that they didn't do, even though I asked, and med kicked it back. Enjoy the process!!!
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Apr 11, 2013 18:33
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d1rtbag posted:Our biggest problem has been convincing the doctors that they have to do everything State asks for - I give mine, my wife's and my son's all an 'F' for failing to follow simple instructions. Just because they think something "isn't important" doesn't mean they should do whatever they want. I suspect that it is primarily about : 1) Ego; and 2) What they think insurance will pay for. Luckily for us, we found a "doc in the box" who has/had experience doing "fit for duty" exams (which is pretty much what the DoS medical is). Plus, they had all of the equipment (xray machine, labs, etc) to handle all of the required tests. If we had gone to our normal Dr.'s we would have had to have that Dr write up lab orders, xray, etc and then we would have had to run around to different places and get it done. I've heard pediatricians can be real bad in not wanting to do all of the tests DoS requires. For me, since I have/had asthma and allergies, there is a separate form you need to fill out. Note: DoS didn't ask for it, but you can download it from their site. I figured I would go ahead and have it done and save myself from having to have DoS Med. send me the form and have my allergist fill it out. I made an appointment with my allergist, he filled the form out (in fact because of it he took a real detailed look at my record and said I no longer had to do allergy injections or take "daily" medications!). I sent it all in and within 24 hrs. I had my clearance.
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Apr 11, 2013 18:47
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d1rtbag posted:
...and make sure the Dr. puts all the test needed on the blood work order. Me--pulling the car into to the parking lot Kids--"Dad why are we HERE!" Me--"Oh they just need some more blood" Kids--" From you?" Me-- " Well, no."
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Apr 12, 2013 00:06
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When you get your offer to join a class...what hoops do you have to go through? Medical again, etc.?
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Apr 12, 2013 03:34
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joe123456 posted:When you get your offer to join a class...what hoops do you have to go through? Medical again, etc.? None, you move to DC.
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Apr 12, 2013 04:52
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Speaking of moving to DC, are out of state FSOs assigned to DC eligible for a reciprocity permit on the Residential Parking Program? I'll be up in Petworth for the next year, but it's all permit parking around my place. I'd like to avoid changing my residency if possible.
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Apr 12, 2013 10:56
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Zoots posted:Speaking of moving to DC, are out of state FSOs assigned to DC eligible for a reciprocity permit on the Residential Parking Program? I'll be up in Petworth for the next year, but it's all permit parking around my place. I'd like to avoid changing my residency if possible. Nope - I tried this when I was on language training in 2009/2010. You can get a one-time, non-renewable six-month permit for an eye-wateringly steep fee, but after that you have to get DC plates/parking permit if you want to park on the street.
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Apr 12, 2013 11:03
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the_chavi posted:Nope - I tried this when I was on language training in 2009/2010. You can get a one-time, non-renewable six-month permit for an eye-wateringly steep fee, but after that you have to get DC plates/parking permit if you want to park on the street. Seems a little ridiculous, considering congressional staffers and military folks on orders don't have to change residency.
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Apr 12, 2013 11:20
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If you're going to be in DC/VA (maybe MD?) for more than a few months, there is basically no way to avoid changing residency. Its how the system is set up, and the states are smart and want their taxes. We don't get to choose the way the military does. Some people try to skirt it, but that's risky; a boss of mine wound up paying tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes to the State of VA after they came after him. His argument that he had alternate residency didn't hold up in court.
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Apr 12, 2013 11:26
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Business of Ferrets posted:If you're going to be in DC/VA (maybe MD?) for more than a few months, there is basically no way to avoid changing residency. Its how the system is set up, and the states are smart and want their taxes. We don't get to choose the way the military does. Some people try to skirt it, but that's risky; a boss of mine wound up paying tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes to the State of VA after they came after him. His argument that he had alternate residency didn't hold up in court. Good to know, thanks. I've only ever been in the NoVa area on TDY, and it was always less than one year. Glad I'm arriving early so I can spend the day in a District DMV office converting my license. Anything else I need to do to change residency?
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Apr 12, 2013 11:35
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There are always some folks who are able to pull it off. Most are able to hide by parking in their apartment complex's garage, etc. But if you have permitted street parking, sounds like you're out of luck.
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Apr 12, 2013 12:13
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Business of Ferrets posted:There are always some folks who are able to pull it off. Most are able to hide by parking in their apartment complex's garage, etc. But if you have permitted street parking, sounds like you're out of luck. Seems like it was always an inevitability. Maybe this is why so many FSOs avoid domestic tours like the plague. 
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Apr 12, 2013 12:35
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Huh. Well that's an interesting SMART setting.
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Apr 12, 2013 12:39
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Strudelmeyer posted:...and make sure the Dr. puts all the test needed on the blood work order. Sounds very similar to the conversation we had with one of our kids..
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Apr 12, 2013 13:01
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problematique posted:None, you move to DC. I was reading that once you find out where you are going, you get to revist Med. Is this more of a follow up to where you are going and if you need any vaccines, etc?
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Apr 12, 2013 13:02
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SCRwM posted:I was reading that once you find out where you are going, you get to revist Med. Is this more of a follow up to where you are going and if you need any vaccines, etc? That sounds right. Before you're assigned, if any member of your family has a class two med clearance your bid list will need to be cleared by MED. But even after assignment, you'll likely still need immunizations, etc.
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Apr 12, 2013 13:14
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Business of Ferrets posted:That sounds right. Before you're assigned, if any member of your family has a class two med clearance your bid list will need to be cleared by MED. But even after assignment, you'll likely still need immunizations, etc. Yay! My kids are going to love me /sarcasm
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Apr 12, 2013 13:27
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There's odd little pockets of free, non-permit on-street parking in and around Arlington. So if you're at FSI/Main State for less than maybe 6 months and choose to live in Arlington you can try to scout one out near your building.
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Apr 12, 2013 13:53
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SCRwM posted:Yay! My kids are going to love me /sarcasm I think rabies hurts the most.
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Apr 12, 2013 14:48
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TCD posted:Huh. ?!
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Apr 12, 2013 14:55
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Saho posted:?! Must be the one that lets you post to SA directly from SMART.
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Apr 12, 2013 15:00
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Business of Ferrets posted:If you're going to be in DC/VA (maybe MD?) for more than a few months, there is basically no way to avoid changing residency. Its how the system is set up, and the states are smart and want their taxes. We don't get to choose the way the military does. Some people try to skirt it, but that's risky; a boss of mine wound up paying tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes to the State of VA after they came after him. His argument that he had alternate residency didn't hold up in court. AFSA has a nice guide for maintaining your domicile (in my case, Texas), while in the FS. Of course, you still have to pay VA, DC, or MD income tax if you are physically present for more than 6 months, but you can maintain significant ties to your home state so you're not losing your tax money when you serve overseas.
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Apr 12, 2013 15:01
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Business of Ferrets posted:Must be the one that lets you post to SA directly from SMART. 
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Apr 12, 2013 15:18
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SCRwM posted:I was reading that once you find out where you are going, you get to revist Med. Is this more of a follow up to where you are going and if you need any vaccines, etc? Sort of, yes. You don't necessarily go back to SA-1. Instead, there is a small med unit at FSI that does travel inoculations/vaccinations. For basic things like yellow fever, typhoid, rabies, etc. and for basic prophylaxis (medical, not sexual -- I mean anti-malarials and such) you can get them there. For anything more complex, you may have to go back to SA-1, and definitely for anything to do with a Class-2 medical clearance.
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Apr 12, 2013 16:27
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I am in a quandary. I am retiring from the military after a 20 year career at a fairly young age 40. I have a firm offer to start a civil service career as a GS15, and I am also on the GSO hiring register. If State hires any GSOs, for the July class, I should get the call. Looking at the long term picture...would coming into the FS, from the CS as a GS15, initially help my FS career. After my first two directed tours, and as long as I perform well, I assume FS hiring managers would look favorably on someone that has already held a senior civil service position. Your thoughts? My expertise is in contracting. Also, the 18 month register countdown is not an issue for me. I have deferred my FS candidacy for two years.
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Apr 12, 2013 17:14
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joe123456 posted:I am in a quandary. I am retiring from the military after a 20 year career at a fairly young age 40. I have a firm offer to start a civil service career as a GS15, and I am also on the GSO hiring register. If State hires any GSOs, for the July class, I should get the call. You might consider staying with your GS15 opportunity. Starting over at the bottom could be frustrating, and in any case you likely will be underemployed for your first 10-15 years as a generalist.
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Apr 12, 2013 17:44
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joe123456 posted:I am in a quandary. I am retiring from the military after a 20 year career at a fairly young age 40. I have a firm offer to start a civil service career as a GS15, and I am also on the GSO hiring register. If State hires any GSOs, for the July class, I should get the call. Unless you really, really want to stay overseas, I'd agree with BoF - stick with the GS15. Also, if you're a GSO specialist, I think they have caps on how high they can go (unless they do excursions as Mgt. Offs and skill code petition).
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Apr 12, 2013 18:20
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TCD posted:Unless you really, really want to stay overseas, I'd agree with BoF - stick with the GS15. Also, if you're a GSO specialist, I think they have caps on how high they can go (unless they do excursions as Mgt. Offs and skill code petition). Thanks for the advice. I am not sure what I am going to do. Since the FS will be a second career, money isn't an issue. As compared to a bland civil service job, I was looking at the FS as being an adventure. If I get the call in June for the July class, then I will have to really mull it over.
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Apr 12, 2013 19:17
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joe123456 posted:Thanks for the advice. I am not sure what I am going to do. Since the FS will be a second career, money isn't an issue. As compared to a bland civil service job, I was looking at the FS as being an adventure. If I get the call in June for the July class, then I will have to really mull it over. Depending on the agency there are overseas opportunities within the civil service.
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Apr 12, 2013 20:16
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TCD posted:I think rabies hurts the most. haha. I had ~8 or so immunizations to get. The person I saw at SA-1 was rather talented. She was a short-haired blonde doctor. We were just shooting the poo poo and out of nowhere she picked up my arm, says "yes.. you look like a nice, healthy, young specimen.." and proceeds to give the rabies vaccine.. in the tricep area under my arm. She then did the "well that didn't hurt so bad, did it?" and when I asked why she put it in that area, instead of you know, on the side of the arm (like every other shot), she proceeded to lay out the other five shots she was going to give me that day, then left to get another med officer and they basically tag-teamed me with vaccines. All said I was in and out within 20 minutes for 6 immunizations. It depends on the vaccines, but multiple trips to med may be in order for follow ups.
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Apr 13, 2013 01:25
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Skandiaavity posted:haha. I had ~8 or so immunizations to get. Skan, people in AF get them all. My entire class IMS class got all of ours at the old training area after lunch. It was efficient  Thankfully after getting pretty much everything, I didn't need much for this tour. TCD fucked around with this message at 03:21 on Apr 13, 2013 |
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Apr 13, 2013 02:36
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joe123456 posted:Thanks for the advice. I am not sure what I am going to do. Since the FS will be a second career, money isn't an issue. As compared to a bland civil service job, I was looking at the FS as being an adventure. If I get the call in June for the July class, then I will have to really mull it over. If that's the case, I'd probably consider the FS. Yeah, you might be coming in at the bottom, but you'll still get some great overseas experience. If you can tolerate being the junior guy for a few tours, it's not bad. I know a GSO who's a retired .mil officer and seems to enjoy it just fine. If you want the money and a senior DC job, you have your answer. If you want to continue the overseas bit and don't mind starting out as a junior grade, you also have your answer. Also, from what I've seen, the chances for overseas bit is more plentiful in the gs-7 to 13 range, but, yeah, just my impression.
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Apr 13, 2013 02:44
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TCD posted:Skan, people in AF get them all. My entire class IMS class got all of ours at the old training area after lunch. It was efficient yeah, that's the good side. The other good side is they have a sense of humor. I have to say, rabies, dengue, and malaria all at once is truly a unique experience. I didn't feel groggy at all , but I'm sure BoF noticed something was up :P
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Apr 13, 2013 08:17
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Skandiaavity posted:yeah, that's the good side. Best vaccine experience I had was last May, when the nurse at FSI was the wife of the Ambassador at the post to which I was transferring. That was an interesting conversation - we talked about how her former residence had been turned into our chancery, since Qadhafi had destroyed our old embassy during the 2011 revolution. The guest bedroom had become the pol/econ section...
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Apr 13, 2013 14:04
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Pro-tip for all you newly minted poloffs out there. Does the local office of a prominent international human rights organization delight in bashing U.S. policy in whatever country you're posted? Does your desk officer raise hell about the latest reports on an obscure human rights issue that has attracted Congressional and thus Department attention? Do you regularly wish death upon your DRL desk officer for making your life a living hell? If you are so lucky as to be posted in a country that bans or imposes ridiculous taxes on alcohol, you might consider inviting your local human rights NGO worker over for drinks and a home-cooked meal of Mexican food, using meats/cheeses/wines that aren't available on the local market but that you smuggled in via diplomatic exemptions. That's how you find out that your guest's organization is about to release a new report slamming US policy so you can prep your bosses/draft talking points in preparation for it. You also get a really good meal out of it. But that's subsidiary, really.
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Apr 13, 2013 23:54
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Are there any posts you can't bring pets? If so, what do I do with my dog if I get assigned to such a post.
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Apr 14, 2013 22:54
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problematique posted:Are there any posts you can't bring pets? If so, what do I do with my dog if I get assigned to such a post. Sure, plenty - depends on where you're going. You should be able to figure out the regulations of each post at the OBC if you're in A-100 or by contacting the CLO in posts you're interested in bidding on. There's a FB group for pet owners at State that has more resources as well, plus an annual cable before transfer season that highlights pet-related issues, allowances, and problems people should be aware of. I left my two pets with my mom for my tour here in Libya, since my husband was supposed to be joining me out here (whoops, didn't happen). I'll get them back from my mom once I've PCS'd back to DC in June.
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Apr 14, 2013 23:42
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I'm a little late on the Falls Church Oakwood conversation, but thought I'd add some comments for the prospective DS people. While everything else everyone said about Falls Church definitely rings true, it has the advantage of being a short 10 minute drive away from the DS Training Center in Dunn Loring. As far as I know there are no shuttles that run between that facility and any of the Oakwoods. If you don't own a car you have to set up a carpool with some buddies. The nice thing about that is a lot of DS people tend to stay at the Falls Church location so we get a nice little community going. I'll actually be living there from June - September this year while training for my next post. If any of you kids are going to be around, I'd be happy to grab a beer with yea.
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Apr 15, 2013 14:08
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Bruxism posted:I'm a little late on the Falls Church Oakwood conversation, but thought I'd add some comments for the prospective DS people. If a July Specialist class is announced I should be up there then.
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Apr 15, 2013 15:16
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Bruxism posted:I'm a little late on the Falls Church Oakwood conversation, but thought I'd add some comments for the prospective DS people.
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Apr 15, 2013 15:36
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