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Problematique, I read that as a joke. I think invites will go out early or mid July.
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Jun 19, 2013 18:08
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Strudelmeyer posted:There are lots of kids in the FS of all ages. Admittedly, starting in the FS with very young children is optimal. If you start when they are teenagers, they are likely to hate you for it.
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Jun 19, 2013 19:06
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It wouldn't be surprising if they went out now. The invites for the July 15 Specialst went out 75 days ahead. 75 days for September 9 class would be Monday next week. My thoughts are the person on the State forums was part of a small speciality as I haven't seen anything else from the bigger ones (IMS, OMS, DSS). Those will probably go out within a few days...
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Jun 19, 2013 19:10
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Strudelmeyer posted:We were told that if you were an American Citizen and capable of getting a security clearance then EFM employment was more likely but still not guaranteed. It was unlikely for non-citizens. Yup. We had a guy who would have been fantastic get screwed out of a job because he was Irish. The person who forced their way in sucked rear end at the job but no matter what, we have to hire american EFMs over foreign nationals. And if they are American AND are a veteran, you are doubly screwed if they suck. One of my friends had to hire an EFM with veterans preference at his last post who nearly started a fistfight at the MFA. And they couldn't fire him because the DCM knew this guy would have been able to apply to be CLO which was opening in a bit, and he would have been able to get it no matter how awful he was. I have had six CLOs. One has not been bad. The other five spent their days shopping on Amazon. EFM positions are rare and first-come, first-served if they are American. One was so bad she was uninvited from the EAC. But they still would not fire her.
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Jun 19, 2013 20:20
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problematique posted:It wouldn't be surprising if they went out now. The invites for the July 15 Specialst went out 75 days ahead. 75 days for September 9 class would be Monday next week. My thoughts are the person on the State forums was part of a small speciality as I haven't seen anything else from the bigger ones (IMS, OMS, DSS). Those will probably go out within a few days... I sure hope so because I'm barely in range for an invite and my rank is dropping every few days as new candidates are added.
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Jun 19, 2013 20:45
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problematique posted:Sadly, this makes it (assuming they pulled 5.67 and below) two class invitations I've missed due to adjudications limbo. This happens. It's some small consolation though that your 18 month timer won't start until you're formally placed on the register.
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Jun 19, 2013 23:04
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Who's up for some protests?
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Jun 20, 2013 19:16
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*sigh* It figures. I'm unbelievably having to renege and attend to personal stuff that'd make me miss 3-4 days that fall during training days. Go ahead and remove me from the list, maybe I'll get back on the register in a year or three. 
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Jun 20, 2013 20:05
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mute posted:*sigh* It figures. I'm unbelievably having to renege and attend to personal stuff that'd make me miss 3-4 days that fall during training days. Really? That sucks dude.
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Jun 20, 2013 20:28
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You've got an offer though, right? Did you talk it over with the Registrar's office (or your A-100 coordinators if you know who they were?) It's difficult, but not impossible to make accommodations during A-100.
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Jun 20, 2013 20:45
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Diplomaticus posted:You've got an offer though, right? Did you talk it over with the Registrar's office (or your A-100 coordinators if you know who they were?) It's difficult, but not impossible to make accommodations during A-100. Yea, don't pull the trigger yet. I bet they will be willing to work with you.
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Jun 20, 2013 21:08
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Diplomaticus posted:You've got an offer though, right? Did you talk it over with the Registrar's office (or your A-100 coordinators if you know who they were?) It's difficult, but not impossible to make accommodations during A-100. As is the case with a bunch of my issues thus far, it's because I'm an IMS, and training at SAIT has 100% attendance requirement. I called SAIT and spoke with someone at the Dean's office, and we mutually agreed that my issues, while important enough to me personally to take the days off, weren't serious/extraordinary enough to merit an exception to the policy, and even if they did allow an exception, I'd be required to re-take the training, delaying my arrival at wherever I was posted. Given it's still far enough out for someone else on the Register to conceivably be given an offer, it's better for the Foreign Service if I step back and try again when life isn't weird. As disappointing as that is, it's a decision I'm okay with. If anyone is reading this months/years from now: Take your first offer even if it's slightly inconvenient (I didn't due to ridiculously stupid, terrible reasons), lest other things intercede later on. Had I come in a year ago, I'd not be having to reapply now. That said, though it take another 2-3 years, I will make it back! 
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Jun 20, 2013 23:21
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In this job, it's almost always easier to gain forgiveness than permission. After you start your first day, they'll work with you. They won't like it, but they will. Once you're on the payroll, you're in. Seriously, this shouldn't even be an issue; even in the worst case it amounts to you getting out to post a bit later, which literally happens all the time. Always do what is best for you. Don't try to do the Department any favors. There is no reason you shouldn't be starting as scheduled and going from there. You're only talking about a week of time. Seriously, people, don't give up your job/career just because of a scheduling inconvenience.
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Jun 20, 2013 23:59
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Business of Ferrets posted:In this job, it's almost always easier to gain forgiveness than permission. This is absolutely true. Training attendance policies are always 100% and they are almost always negotiable.
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Jun 21, 2013 00:03
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Business of Ferrets posted:In this job, it's almost always easier to gain forgiveness than permission. Mute, listen to this.
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Jun 21, 2013 00:06
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Also, helicopters all around right now. edit: We're watching the protesters getting tear gassed and sprayed on TV. At the front entrance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  edit2: Welp, local news is stating that the protesters may have started a small fire inside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. TCD fucked around with this message at 01:57 on Jun 21, 2013 |
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Jun 21, 2013 01:06
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Business of Ferrets posted:In this job, it's almost always easier to gain forgiveness than permission. This, so much this. I had medical issues which caused me to miss probably 4 training days after A-100, all of which were under 100% attendance policies. I worked with my course instructor on it, and she helped me kick it down the line until I got to post. It was 8 months later before I ever even got an inquiry about it, by some bored HR type who basically said "Cool, sorry for bothering you."
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Jun 21, 2013 01:27
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the_chavi posted:This is absolutely true. Training attendance policies are always 100% and they are almost always negotiable. I have to chime in here in support of this as well. There is no reason for you to give up a chance that you may not have for another few years.
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Jun 21, 2013 01:49
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mute posted:...and even if they did allow an exception, I'd be required to re-take the training, delaying my arrival at wherever I was posted. So what? Listen to what everyone else has said here, it's good advice.
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Jun 21, 2013 10:49
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TCD posted:Also, helicopters all around right now. Stay safe!
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Jun 21, 2013 13:11
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SCRwM posted:Stay safe! Yeah protestors went home around 11-midnight. We could only see the helicopters from our living room window. Doesn’t look like they made it to the residential areas, at least here.
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Jun 21, 2013 13:34
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I'm not trying to belittle the difficult work consular officers perform (I've never even been to a US embassy or understand the visa process), but is there a fundamental reason why a portion of the work could not be a) done remotely via teleconference to DC b) contractually outsourced? I ask this because I'm reading 'Americas Other Army: The US Foreign Service' by Nicholas Kralev and there are quotes from Rice and the late Warren Christopher that suggest the less challenging work can be done by 'b' as a way to incentivize the recruitment of candidates who may be interested in a career, but are dissuaded by requirements to do con tours as ELO. The teleconference thought is just my idea as a way to alleviate such workloads, after reading the book it seems many are burning out from the work (120+ interviews a day at some posts!) and its contributing to dissuading qualified individuals from continuing to stay in the Service.
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Jun 21, 2013 15:37
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problematique posted:I'm not trying to belittle the difficult work consular officers perform (I've never even been to a US embassy or understand the visa process), but is there a fundamental reason why a portion of the work could not be a) done remotely via teleconference to DC b) contractually outsourced? The contract program is already underway with the Consular Adjudicators program. It seems to be a sensible move by the Department, especially if visa demand continues to expand the number of entry-level jobs (which might not work well with the more limited number of mid and senior-level positions available). e: On the VTC thing, I will add my view that the only thing more unbearable than doing visa interviews overseas would be doing them in the States. Business of Ferrets fucked around with this message at 15:53 on Jun 21, 2013 |
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Jun 21, 2013 15:49
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Business of Ferrets posted:The contract program is already underway with the Consular Adjudicators program. Also keep in mind, some parts of the world have terrible telecomm. While it's getting better everyday, we still have those posts where 256k is a fantastic data rate and latency is like a marco polo game. There are other reasons that I can think of but, this probably isn't the best place to go down that path. As BoF metioned, the Dept. is trying different things around the world. Including contracting out part of the visa process via the global support strategy. Edit: One positive thing I see from most officers on the line is that they are among the most fluent officers. TCD fucked around with this message at 16:12 on Jun 21, 2013 |
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Jun 21, 2013 15:54
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I'm not sure how much power entry-level consular officers have, but in general the government does not like contractors to be decisionmakers.
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Jun 21, 2013 15:57
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Unless you're in the NSA. Echoing TCD's point though about consular adjudications, doing VTCs for adjudications would not be feasible in parts of Africa due to poor telecoms, lack of language trained officers, and high fraud rates.
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Jun 21, 2013 17:46
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TCD: Whoa, must be "interesting" to have front-row seats to the protest? Manila's a "high interview" station (i think we're like, 2nd or 3rd in Visa volumes?) lots of ELO CO's aren't happy but one mentioned it was pretty dang good experience. The bosses are also pretty good with everything.
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Jun 22, 2013 02:09
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TCD I was gonna send you this on facebook but apparently I can't figure you out from the 9000000000000000 other people with your name.
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Jun 22, 2013 19:19
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Diplomaticus posted:TCD I was gonna send you this on facebook but apparently I can't figure you out from the 9000000000000000 other people with your name. That was originally for Turkey, and has now been appropriated for so many countries' protests. Love it! 
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Jun 22, 2013 19:41
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TCD this is from a page back but I just figured out that I can't send PMs so I can't tell you where I'm living now. Would you share your email address?
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Jun 22, 2013 20:26
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 Macedonia  
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Jun 23, 2013 12:50
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Congrats! Friends who've served there really loved it!
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Jun 23, 2013 12:59
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Business of Ferrets posted:Congrats! Friends who've served there really loved it! Thanks! I will be trying to get an EFM job there.
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Jun 23, 2013 13:18
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Strudelmeyer posted:Thanks! I will be trying to get an EFM job there. I love Macedonia - one of my favorite vacation places from Turkey. You're going to have a great time! (Even if Skopje looks like a Soviet concrete hell.)
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Jun 23, 2013 15:18
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Strudelmeyer posted:
Awesome! I first got to know about DS while interning for the RSO shop in Macedonia. Probably one of the best summers of my life. You are going to love it there.
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Jun 23, 2013 20:58
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Bidding question: During Specialist Orientation when the bid list comes out, does it also tell you (or does you CDO tell you) when you would be departing the mothership for post? Ex: if I am scheduled (as of now) to be in training until mid-December, will the list say "first day at post will be X"? Reason I'm asking, with a school age child when we depart for post would determine if we home school or send him to a public school while we are in DC (if I am in training for a year then we would send to public school. If I'm only in training until December we will probably home school). Similarly - if we arrive at post late December/early January, and the school system at post is on the US calendar (school year ends in June), can you "extend" your tour by a few months so you can transfer during the school summer break vs changing in the middle of the school year?
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Jun 23, 2013 21:16
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I don't think there is a date with the list. As an IMS almost everyone will do 5-6 months of training. There are occasionally exceptions, but I'd plan on the 5-6 months. I think you'll get your list the 2nd day (Tuesday) & then your Flag Day will be the following Tuesday. I am planning to come to it if I can. Extending or curtailing during your entry level assignments can be tricky, I think. Sometimes your CDO will just flat out say that you can't, but I know people do. I think they say that you can't to try & discourage it, might allow it if it works out for their assignment. P.S. Send me an email (I think I still have your address, but I want to make sure it is the right person.)
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Jun 23, 2013 22:04
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Strudelmeyer posted:
Awesome! Skopje was really high on my preferences when bidding. Shoot me a PM -- I've got someone you should talk to that can help you with both the EFM hiring process and familiarizing yourself with Macedonia.
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Jun 23, 2013 22:57
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SCRwM posted:Similarly - if we arrive at post late December/early January, and the school system at post is on the US calendar (school year ends in June), can you "extend" your tour by a few months so you can transfer during the school summer break vs changing in the middle of the school year? Getting rotation timing down is starting to get tricky. As budgets tighten, the ability for people to leave or get to post outside their normal ETD/ETA is getting less flexible. Specifically if the incumbent doesn't want to leave early (you'd have double encombuerance at post), "think of the kids" isn't being approved as much. Oh I see what you are saying, you're asking for a 6 month rotation extension. That would put you in a different bidding season and normally, is more difficult while you're on your first and second tour (not impossible, but unlikely) as an IMS, pending things like medical curtailments, evacs, etc. edit: An example would be if the position incumbent is supposed to leave in October. If the school year starts in August, it's getting more challenging for the replacement to arrive in July/August so their kids can start the school year if the incumbent doesn't want or can't leave until the end of their tour. By challenging, I mean post/bureau won't let you come early due to budget concerns. Sometimes this isn't an issue if everybody leaves early, but again, that's not always possible or feasible. TCD fucked around with this message at 00:33 on Jun 24, 2013 |
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Jun 24, 2013 00:20
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1of7 posted:P.S. Send me an email (I think I still have your address, but I want to make sure it is the right person.) Sent
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Jun 24, 2013 01:14
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