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All, As it concerns GSO Specialists and Management FSOs..... 1. Do GSO Specialists have an advantage over Management FSOs on assignments? Or is it the other way around? My assumption is that a GSO Specialist would typically be in more demand than an FSO with little to no GSO experience. 2. What about promotions? GSO specialists compete with FSOs for GSO mid to high grade billets? Or do GSOs only compete with GSO specialists? 3. Anyone know of a GSO doing a skill change to Management FSO? I am on the GSO hiring registrar, but I want to keep all options open and not limit my career growth. I thought about going through the FSO process, but stamping visas for a 2-4 years is not what I want to be doing after a 20 year military career. Its going to be tough enough taking a FS-4/GS-12 job, when I already have an offer to start a civil service career at the GS-15 level. Thanks for your input!
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Jan 28, 2013 05:37
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[quote="TCD" post="411965948"] This seems to match what I've seen. However, I know of several GSO Specialists that are doing MGT Officer tours and you can always try to do the skillcode petition change once you've worked enough months in that skillcode. One person I know did A/GSO(the junior GSO), A/GSO, S/GSO (supervisory GSO), MGT Officer. So, just because you're a specialist, doesn't necessarily hold you back all that much. I think at the senior levels (FS 1 and SFS), being a generalist generally improves your upward movement. Thanks for the information. It's good to know that GSO Specialists have opportunities to fill the management officer role. This info is what I needed to make the State Dept my #1 post retirement career opportunity. If all goes well, I should get picked up in the July or Sept FSS class.
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Jan 28, 2013 21:05
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I am going to roll the dice and go the GSO route knowing that I will have opportunities to be a Management Officer. I just can't see myself stamping visas for 2-4 years after already reaching the FS-2 equivalent level in the military. Although, I guess there will be times where the GSOs are asked to help out the consular section. That is all fine, but not interested in doing it a few years. It's nice have the luxury of being able to be a little choosy about my second career  .Another subject... Expanded Professionals Associate Program My wife has both a CS and Math degree and is currently working at a large worldwide IT consulting firm. From what I have read she would be able to take courses at FSI on a space available basis. I assume she would be able to take IM classes. Is this correct? Does State Dept need computer programmers overseas? From reading the job description of IM its more centered on help desk/admin type of functions versus actual programming. How many EPAP IM positions are typically advertised? Is a secret clearance sufficient? Or is TS mandatory for all EPAP IM positions?
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Jan 29, 2013 04:16
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Diplomatic List 1. Are Specialist GSOs typically on the diplomatic list? I assume all FSOs are on the list. 2. What are the advantages being on the diplomatic list? 3. Are there any disadvantages being on the diplomatic list? 4. If an employee is on the diplomatic list, is his/her family also on the diplomatic list? Auto Questions 1. Is it possible to ship two vehicles to an overseas assignment? I understand State will typically only pay for one vehicle. However, if the member pays for shipping the second vehicle....still entitled to diplomatic plates/no custom charges on second vehicle? 2. Can you make any money when selling your U.S. vehicle overseas? 3. Auto insurance overseas...do you typically get an insurance policy by a local insurer? Or do you use a company such as USAA? I am not sure USAA would cover vehicles in every part of the world.
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Jan 29, 2013 04:33
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Thanks for all the good info... especially E-Title, and the letter from finance company giving you permission to ship a vehicle overseas. I did a quick internet search and its common for some finance companies to deny owner requests to ship their auto overseas. I just bought a vehicle and this could be an issue for me.
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Jan 29, 2013 08:07
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Do GSO specialists typically receive language training? Since GSOs work with a significant number of local hires, I assume that they would have many opportunities to go to language training.
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Jan 30, 2013 05:07
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Any advice for new GSOs? I hear that the RSO is typically the most hated at the embassy with the GSO not far behind. On the other hand I heard from a management officer filling a GSO job..."if the GSO is not happy, the embassy isn't happy. If the GSO is happy the embassy is happy."
joe123456 fucked around with this message at 06:25 on Jan 31, 2013 |
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Jan 31, 2013 05:00
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Any word on the March FSS class?
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Feb 2, 2013 02:34
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Does taking a hardship post really provide you a decent shot at getting you a "plush" job in Europe? Aren't the majority of posts out there hardship tours? I talked to an FSO that volunteered to go to Iraq and then she ended up with additional back to back Middle East tours. In her experience, taking hardship tours didn't give her any assignment preferences to that "plush" dream location on her bid list.
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Feb 3, 2013 22:39
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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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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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IMS related hiring questions... 1. Scenario - just out of college with BS Math and BA Computer Science. The major duties of IMS are more along the lines of help desk type support. My current job I am a software developer/engineer. Is this going to hurt me? Or since I am applying under the recent graduate criteria, not doing "help desk" duties won't have a big impact? 2. Dual citizenship - as part of the hiring process will I have to renounce my dual citizenship? 3. What is the OA format? written multiple choice test? timed writing sample? interview? 4. Any study material suggestions? Thank you!
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Mar 10, 2013 08:41
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Tandem Couples Benefit Questions: 1. Authorized to ship two cars to overseas post? 2. Full overseas benefits such as COLA, housing allowances, etc.? 3. Can married couples be enrolled in the same FSS orientation class?
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Mar 10, 2013 08:47
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Question concerning FS moves for new hires attending FSI....how far in advance, of your report date, are you allowed to ship your vehicle to your next assignment?
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Apr 7, 2013 21:57
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Thanks for the reply. I have an extra vehicle, so I was looking to ship as early as possible. That way I wouldn't be inconvenienced by not having a vehicle at my new location. Do you have options on choosing a shipping port? Houston?
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Apr 8, 2013 01:25
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So what do you do for transportation when you are at your new post without a car for 6-9 months? Are you authorized to use the embassy motor pool drivers?
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Apr 11, 2013 05:56
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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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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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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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problematique posted:Thanks! That's good to know. You can also add 4 GSOs to the Feb Specialist class attendance roster.
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Jan 8, 2014 03:57
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Nutrimentia posted:GSO are Specialists? From what I have read there are a little over 200 GSO Specialists in the Foreign Service. I believe there are also at least 1 or 2 Senior Foreign Service GSO Specialists. This Feb I am starting my FS career as a GSO. I assume that I will also get some management officer opportunities after 1 or 2 GSO assignments. That is if I choose to volunteer to do a management officer tour. Any management officers out there want to provide their opinions? I guess the hardest thing I will face joining the FS is going to be transitioning from senior manager jobs to entry level work. However, with the shortage of mid level experience in the FS, I might get greater responsibility earlier in my career. At least that is what I hope will happen.
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Jan 8, 2014 06:23
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Which embassy employees typically don't have to pay local sales taxes? FSOs only? Some specialists? Depends on country?
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Jan 25, 2014 16:31
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Anyone have firearms that they take with them when posted overseas? I assume that the ability to do so is country specific. What about concealed weapons permit? I assume that for most countries this isn't allowed. Any State Dept regulation out there that prohibits carrying weapon while posted abroad?
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Jan 27, 2014 15:48
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Leif. posted:Country-specific. In most (all?) cases you'll need Chief of Mission approval to bring it with you to post. (In my last post, on paper it was theoretically possible to bring one, but that permission would never be given to non-LEO personnel.) In any case, you'd never carry it, it'd be more for competition shooting or hunting/recreational shooting. Again, subject to local laws on that sort of thing, as well. Thanks for the info.
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Jan 28, 2014 01:46
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Anyone have any experience using a virtual mailbox for your regular mail? Essentially a company you pay gives you a mailing address and as your mail is delivered to this address digitizes it for you to view on the web. I assume that if I am in a country with crappy internet, State would allow me to use the govts internet to view my mail. The company I am thinking about using is virtualpost. Apparently, they will also forward packages to APO/DPO addresses.
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Jan 28, 2014 19:42
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