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I passed, but I'm kind of on the fence about even submitting QEPs. I went through this whole process in 2016 for a DS job, drove all the way to DC and passed the OA, and almost 2 years later I've spent nearly a year in background investigations and even if I pass I'm pretty low on the register. The thought of having to do all the medical and background stuff a second time to possibly get a job in 2023~ just seems like a lot to deal with while I'm trying to finish my Master's degree.
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Jul 5, 2018 21:13
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Yorkshire Pudding posted:I passed, but I'm kind of on the fence about even submitting QEPs. I went through this whole process in 2016 for a DS job, drove all the way to DC and passed the OA, and almost 2 years later I've spent nearly a year in background investigations and even if I pass I'm pretty low on the register. The thought of having to do all the medical and background stuff a second time to possibly get a job in 2023~ just seems like a lot to deal with while I'm trying to finish my Master's degree. I think you can put your candidacy on hold. If it's something you want to do, I'd still say go for it.
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Jul 8, 2018 08:17
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Just submitted my personal narratives. Now to wait another seven weeks to find out if I pass the QEP. 
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Jul 11, 2018 23:37
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Just saw on Reddit that someone failed to submit their PNs before the deadline. Given all the reminders that BEX sends out, how is this even possible?
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Jul 14, 2018 09:29
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coffee! posted:Here we go again... Pretty similar to mine 2011: FSOT - Passed, QEP Failed 2014: Same 2016: Same 2017: FSOT - Passed, QEP Passed, OA Failed (5.0) 2018: FSOT - Passed, QEP just submitted I def am fretting it less about it than I did before. The older I get, the easier it is to just get wrapped up in another career. I just used my QEP from the last go around. My FSOT score is less than it was last year, but let's see if there the score fluctuates.
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Jul 14, 2018 10:44
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zzonkmiles posted:Is there some kind of thinking in the back of everyone's mind about who the first person in their A-100 to leave the FS will be? Is there some sort of pressure not to be the first? I've been on H/L so taking a break from things. I just ran the numbers and for my IMS class of 13 after 5 years we've lost 3, or 23% (one of those who left is trying to get back in). All 3 were kind of surprising looking at it from the outside, but if you dig in to the reasons they were all understandable. Not sure if there is "pressure" not to be the first, because each situation is different. This is a tough career and a tough life. Every time I come off H/L and R&R I usually question "is this life right for me/my family". SCRwM fucked around with this message at 12:46 on Jul 17, 2018 |
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Jul 17, 2018 12:43
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SCRwM posted:This is a tough career and a tough life. Every time I come off H/L and R&R I usually question "is this life right for me/my family". I'm the opposite. After a week back home I feel like my decision to live overseas is reconfirmed.
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Jul 18, 2018 01:15
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Shageletic, best of luck! I also got a 5.0 when I failed the orals in 2011. Seemed like a common theme of the day, and I don't believe anyone passed from my group. I'm sure there are stats on the age bell curve of those who make it to A-100, and even all along the process. I wonder if it is a normal distribution with the center of the curve around age 30, or if its more evenly distributed, so equal representation from about all age groups. Being only a couple of years away from 40, I wonder if there is any advantage to keep applying as I get "older"
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Jul 19, 2018 15:42
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1of7 posted:I'm the opposite. After a week back home I feel like my decision to live overseas is reconfirmed. Ditto. Though I am really enjoying this current round of home leave before heading back out.
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Jul 20, 2018 03:46
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SCRwM posted:This is a tough career and a tough life. Every time I come off H/L and R&R I usually question "is this life right for me/my family". We've just arrived at our second post, and it has been tough getting here. Seems like everything has been difficult this past week. It's been rough, but it's also exciting! And today we've got our pets in our house, finally, and gotten internet hooked up, so things are looking up!
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Jul 20, 2018 15:47
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Just ordered my second round of consumables. I don't think I will ever be good at accurately estimating how much of something I will use in one or two years.
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Jul 29, 2018 18:21
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I haven't had to do a Codel in nearly seven years. Man I forgot how much I hate doing this.
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Aug 3, 2018 18:17
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the_chavi posted:I haven't had to do a Codel in nearly seven years. A phrase I dream to utter
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Aug 3, 2018 19:46
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Non-FSO outsider, hope nobody minds, asking: So....what the hell do they do on CODELs anyway? Like, I know about the drinking and whoring and partying, what kinda official poo poo does one do with a CODEL?
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Aug 3, 2018 20:19
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Spacewolf posted:Non-FSO outsider, hope nobody minds, asking: Depends on what the CODEL is. Sometimes it's a regional tour, sometimes it's specific to a single issue in a single country. If it's the former, you find out what they're interested and set them up some meetings and tours (their staff usually will tell you ), and go from there. If it's the latter, you build your schedule around meetings to support that particular issue. In either scenario, one of the 1st or 2nd tour officers is going to get stuck babysitting the spouses/families, so better brush up on good shopping/tourism locations. But 90% of it is some variation of "arrange a meeting, a tour, a cultural engagement, or attend a conference/speaking event." Followed by logistics.
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Aug 4, 2018 21:20
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Hey folks. Was a shame that timing prevented me from meeting the_chavi in Ankara while I was posted there. My next posting is going to be in New York at our (non-USA) Permanent Representation to the UN. If any of you are around in NYC it'd be great to meet up. Sorry to hear about the trials and tribulations side of things but if it makes any of you feel better - some services are much, much worse. Happy to explain why in person.
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Aug 9, 2018 08:22
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Can any of you veterans kindly explain how a TED works? (Is this the same as ETD?) For example, if I arrive at post in March 2017 for a two-year tour, does that mean my TED is February 2019? Or is my TED March 2019 because I arrived at post in March? My gaining post wants me to start a month earlier than I thought I'd be able to, so now I'm confused. Thanks.
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Aug 20, 2018 00:14
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Should be March as I understand it, but you can start +/- 30 days from your TED with no issues at all. That's normal. You need permission but can amend your orders to change your date by more than 30 days. I changed my upcoming one by 2 months with minimal effort, just got everyone involved to OK it and had HR cut me new orders.
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Aug 20, 2018 00:19
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Anyone around FSI this week? I'll be there all week.
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Aug 20, 2018 02:37
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Bruxism posted:Anyone around FSI this week? I'll be there all week. DUDE! Not there, but I'll email you.
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Aug 20, 2018 02:43
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Tyro posted:DUDE! Not there, but I'll email you. Right on. Unable to get on opennet so either PM or hit up my personal email.
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Aug 20, 2018 02:58
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Conally rectified! It wasn’t as painful as I thought, though the 8 FAM insertion was a little awkward.
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Aug 31, 2018 11:49
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Congrats!
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Aug 31, 2018 13:57
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Promotion lists are out!
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Sep 1, 2018 04:49
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Sad trombone. Hope someone got promoted!
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Sep 1, 2018 11:11
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Remember: The Department will never love you back.
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Sep 1, 2018 12:22
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Cool article about the Diplomatic Courier Service here https://www.wired.com/story/diplomatic-courier-service/
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Sep 4, 2018 23:50
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Business of Ferrets posted:Remember: The Department will never love you back. Ain't that the truth.
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Sep 5, 2018 18:50
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Going to OA again. Honestly, feeling ambiguous about it.
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Sep 7, 2018 15:04
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Welp, my first go is over-- no pass by the QEP. I was honestly pretty happy that I passed the Exam my first try, I'll just have to try again next year. How long do I have to wait before applying again? Exactly one year?
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Sep 8, 2018 05:39
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The Unholy Ghost posted:How long do I have to wait before applying again? Exactly one year? Sorry dude. You can take the written exam in the same window next year you took it this year - so if you tested in February 2018 and failed the QEP in August, you can take the written exam again in February 2019.
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Sep 8, 2018 18:12
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This bourbon's for Sean, since I never got to bring him his bottle in Benghazi to drink together.
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Sep 10, 2018 19:45
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Signed up for Oct FSOT. I put in for Management. I know I can't change it now.
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Sep 11, 2018 02:11
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Made it to the OA—should be fun, it’s been a few years since my last one, which I would think most likely helps, but who knows. Just got promoted to GS-15, but I firmly believe that the FS would be worth the pay cut—at least that’s the reasoning I’m deluding myself with.
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Sep 13, 2018 15:23
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I just found out that my consumables shipment has been sitting in a port on another continent for a month now. No rush. Who needs quality toilet paper anyway?
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Sep 13, 2018 19:23
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zzonkmiles posted:I just found out that my consumables shipment has been sitting in a port on another continent for a month now. No rush. Who needs quality toilet paper anyway? But it’s going to feel like Christmas when you finally get it! (Mostly because it’s going to take another three months to make it to you.)
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Sep 13, 2018 20:26
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Business of Ferrets posted:But it’s going to feel like Christmas when you finally get it! (Mostly because it’s going to take another three months to make it to you.) I remember getting my consumables in AF - it was glorious. Just took my last R&R to Spain - loved it
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Sep 16, 2018 02:08
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coffee! posted:Made it to the OA—should be fun, it’s been a few years since my last one, which I would think most likely helps, but who knows. Congrats. Good luck. But yeah GS-15 is pretty high up. You're basically a deputy to SES in most positions right? Without getting too specific which part of government do you work in? I'm in non profit FFRDC world but looking to laterally move into gov at GS-12/13. Also is it natural to take a pay cut when moving into gov from private? Is bargaining level and step for salary purposes even a thing?
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Sep 19, 2018 23:28
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I'm in the private field as an attorney, and I'm expecting a paycut myself if I do eventually get through. Just one of things you've got to juggle I guess.
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Sep 21, 2018 17:40
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Yeah if I pick up FSO I would also get a 20-30k pay cut. But I'm old enough to know that money isn't everything.
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Sep 21, 2018 18:24
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