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Howard Phillips posted: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? Thanks Howard! My new position will be a deputy to an SES in a smaller agency. I’ve spent most of my civilian career in the DoD doing financial type work. I’ve heard of people taking pay cuts to get into govt, aside from Foreign Service. I think if you have an in demand skill, rules are loosening these days and step can be negotiated if coming from the private sector. As far as the FS goes, it seems like the many benefits would outweigh the pay cut, specifically the paid for housing—minus when you’re in DC of course. Been there, done that, and the DC area housing prices aren’t as bad as everyone usually says. It really depends on what size of home your comfortable with, or how far you’re willing to commute. I also chose management track this time—funny enough that’s what I chose last time when I got to the OA. My two consular tries we’re no-gos. Best of luck on the FSOT!
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Sep 25, 2018 21:40
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HJE-Cobra posted: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! Funny how getting internet hooked up is such a quality of life enhancer #streamalltheyoutubes
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Sep 27, 2018 05:18
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SCRwM posted:Funny how getting internet hooked up is such a quality of life enhancer #streamalltheyoutubes Exactly! Someone (with authority, not a pleb like me) needs to change the FAM so it’s a utility and in every house as you move in.
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Sep 28, 2018 07:38
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Blooregard posted:Exactly! Someone (with authority, not a pleb like me) needs to change the FAM so it’s a utility and in every house as you move in. And ditch the requirement for a home phone.
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Sep 30, 2018 17:11
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SCRwM posted:And ditch the requirement for a home phone. Got an email from the Ops Center the other day looking to update my contact information. Gave them my work email and my work mobile number. Seriously, I’ve got those on me all the time unless I’m in the office or the shower. . . .
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Oct 1, 2018 14:12
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Business of Ferrets posted:Got an email from the Ops Center the other day looking to update my contact information. Gave them my work email and my work mobile number. Seriously, I’ve got those on me all the time unless I’m in the office or the shower. . . . In a crisis situation, particularly in a developing country, cell phone networks are usually the first thing to go down/be overwhelmed. Just saying.
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Oct 1, 2018 23:23
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Crisis or not, my philosophy with Ops is, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.”
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Oct 2, 2018 15:05
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So how’s everybody’s bidding going? Worried? Feeling good?
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Oct 7, 2018 05:10
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I'm at peace. Not because it's looking particularly good for me, but because acceptance is a valuable tactic in the face of overwhelming adversity.
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Oct 7, 2018 08:22
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Well, keeping your cool sure worked out for you last time!
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Oct 7, 2018 12:08
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Not bidding this year thankfully! It is apparently impossible to get my CDO to register my wife for FACT during bidding season. I've been trying for a month.
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Oct 7, 2018 12:32
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Tyro posted:Not bidding this year thankfully! I'm considering bidding on a CDO job next time around - I've never actually had a good CDO, but I have been informally adopted by a few, so I know they exist. Otherwise, I'm chilling in the joy that is not bidding for another year - and if I extend, that buys me no bidding until 2020! Wooo!
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Oct 7, 2018 18:18
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Nutrimentia posted:I'm at peace. Not because it's looking particularly good for me, but because acceptance is a valuable tactic in the face of overwhelming adversity. It's all in the game.
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Oct 7, 2018 18:36
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I've got my next post locked down and won't be bidding for awhile, but I'm looking at an HDS/SND post after that. I got bills to pay and Frankfurt, Toronto, and Sydney won't cut it.
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Oct 11, 2018 23:15
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zzonkmiles posted:I've got my next post locked down and won't be bidding for awhile, but I'm looking at an HDS/SND post after that. I got bills to pay and Frankfurt, Toronto, and Sydney won't cut it. I dunno man - living in Western EUR is pretty cool.
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Oct 12, 2018 02:10
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TCD posted:I dunno man - living in Western EUR is pretty cool. Agreed. That higher cost of living and the lack of differential though...I guess that's the tradeoff.
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Oct 12, 2018 07:57
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Business of Ferrets posted:So how’s everybody’s bidding going? Worried? Feeling good? Not bidding until 2021 however I do look at the projected list occasionally. After this tour I'll have a kid who will only have two more years until they graduate HS so so I have to (somewhat) strategically plan...
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Oct 12, 2018 09:54
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Sorry should have posted this sooner. DS Special Agent vacancy announcement. Happy to answer any questions people may have. https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/512679700
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Oct 12, 2018 10:04
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SCRwM posted:Not bidding until 2021 however I do look at the projected list occasionally. After this tour I'll have a kid who will only have two more years until they graduate HS so so I have to (somewhat) strategically plan... That was a major factor for us this time, too. Worked out better than I could have expected, but sure made for some creative strategizing.
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Oct 12, 2018 14:21
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Bruxism posted:Sorry should have posted this sooner. DS Special Agent vacancy announcement. Happy to answer any questions people may have. Hey. 2 questions. Can you maintain a candidacy for DS and take FSOT and get on register for FSO positions at same time? I am a PCV in ________ right now and thinking about my options. Also, any tips for these essays? wetdela fucked around with this message at 21:55 on Oct 12, 2018 |
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Oct 12, 2018 21:45
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nurabsal posted:Can you maintain a candidacy for DS and take FSOT and get on register for FSO positions at same time? I am a PCV in ________ right now and thinking about my options. Also, any tips for these essays? Yes, but as soon as you accept a conditional offer you're removed from the other register.
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Oct 12, 2018 22:50
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Bruxism posted:Sorry should have posted this sooner. DS Special Agent vacancy announcement. Happy to answer any questions people may have. Do you have to be a jacked ex special forces type to compete for this job? I'm ex military, was a navy officer.
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Oct 12, 2018 23:56
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Howard Phillips posted:Do you have to be a jacked ex special forces type to compete for this job? I'm ex military, was a navy officer. Nope, you're good as long as you're reasonably in shape. Our PRT (currently, rumor is it might change) is based on the Navy PRT.
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Oct 13, 2018 00:03
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Tyro posted:Nope, you're good as long as you're reasonably in shape. Our PRT (currently, rumor is it might change) is based on the Navy PRT. How does location assignment work for a DS position like this?
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Oct 13, 2018 01:03
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Howard Phillips posted:How does location assignment work for a DS position like this? What do you mean by location assignment? Where you are hired from or where you get posted? If you are from a city in the states with a field office you have a better chance of getting posted there. If you are from DC not only do you get screwed out of training per diem, but you are 100% going to Washington dc field office. You must do a domestic field office first and then have about a 60% chance of going over seas. There are always exceptions and no two agents follow the same path. My career up to this point has been very different from Tyro's.
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Oct 13, 2018 03:27
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Business of Ferrets posted:That was a major factor for us this time, too. Worked out better than I could have expected, but sure made for some creative strategizing. Well wife really wants to get back to EUR and there are some sweet spots I'll need to do some extra lobbying for. I've also toyed with letting the family shelter at our current Post to let the kid finish HS (school here is great) and do a double in PSP.
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Oct 13, 2018 06:00
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Tyro posted:Nope, you're good as long as you're reasonably in shape. Our PRT (currently, rumor is it might change) is based on the Navy PRT. Out of curiosity: are there any/many RPCV's rattling around at DS ? I wouldn't think it'd be as common as with the Foreign Service, but I don't come from a military background and am wondering whether there is a bit of a PC alumni network there?
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Oct 13, 2018 06:44
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nurabsal posted:Out of curiosity: are there any/many RPCV's rattling around at DS ? I wouldn't think it'd be as common as with the Foreign Service, but I don't come from a military background and am wondering whether there is a bit of a PC alumni network there? I've worked with several RPCVs that became Special Agents. It's not as common, but there are more than you think. Military and police background are not requirements and lacking it should not discourage you from applying. I think the hiring panel will look on PC experience favorably. AF bureau is calling!
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Oct 13, 2018 07:03
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Bruxism posted:I've worked with several RPCVs that became Special Agents. It's not as common, but there are more than you think. Military and police background are not requirements and lacking it should not discourage you from applying. I think the hiring panel will look on PC experience favorably. AF bureau is calling! Yeah my class was actually fairly heavy on the Peace Corps volunteers. Something like 10+% of my class had been PC. And as far as I can tell those folks are doing well in their careers. I think my class was roughly a third former law enforcement, a third former military and a third private sector/other experience.
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Oct 13, 2018 12:06
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One of my ARSOs was an RPCV.
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Oct 13, 2018 16:37
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Passed the FSOT. Was pleasantly surprised. 164/6. Now two weeks to submit PN. Anyone know if FSO hiring numbers are going up this year? Howard Phillips fucked around with this message at 06:45 on Oct 27, 2018 |
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Oct 25, 2018 14:50
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Howard Phillips posted:Passed the FSOT. Was pleasantly surprised. 164/6. Now two weeks to submit PNN. want back on the federal teat? You welfare queens are all the same
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Oct 27, 2018 03:14
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Kawasaki Nun posted:want back on the federal teat? You welfare queens are all the same Lol don't give a poo poo about the low pay that DOS gives out. Ironically I'd be making way more if I had stayed in as a career military officer. Need a mission and excitement, just not the Navy type.
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Oct 27, 2018 06:47
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Howard Phillips posted:Lol don't give a poo poo about the low pay that DOS gives out. Ironically I'd be making way more if I had stayed in as a career military officer. Need a mission and excitement, just not the Navy type. Entry level is marginal - but once you make 02, it's decent. Also considering overseas, housing is included...
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Oct 27, 2018 08:48
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Howard Phillips posted:Passed the FSOT. Was pleasantly surprised. 164/6. Now two weeks to submit PN. Hiring has been better under Pompeo than it was under Tillerson. The hiring freeze is over and A-100s have been happening on schedule. But considering that it can take 1.5-3 years to go through the entire process, there's no telling what hiring will look like in 2020.
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Oct 27, 2018 09:11
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TCD posted:once you make 02, it's decent. Ha Hahaha  The way DS promotions are going I'll be lucky to pick up my 2 before I hit retirement age.
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Oct 27, 2018 11:45
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Tyro posted:Ha Just gotta get overseas and do good work, brother.
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Oct 27, 2018 12:45
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Bruxism posted:Just gotta get overseas and do good work, brother. Yeah... working on it. It's just crazy to me that I'll be 40% of the way to retirement by the time I finish my first overseas assignment.
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Oct 27, 2018 13:05
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Tyro posted:Yeah... working on it. It's just crazy to me that I'll be 40% of the way to retirement by the time I finish my first overseas assignment. Are you FSS? I thought FSOs are mostly overseas.
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Oct 27, 2018 21:39
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Howard Phillips posted:Are you FSS? I thought FSOs are mostly overseas. Yep FSS. In my specific job series about 2/3 of our available positions are domestic.
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Oct 27, 2018 21:47
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