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What do you guys think of/hear about/know about the DSS guys? Do they like it? Anything you can tell me about the position?
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Sep 6, 2009 18:34
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Any of you guys have suggestions on some reading to keep up on? I applied to the DS position, and as far as I can tell it's a lot like what the FSOT process is like, barring a few changes. I'm an international relations degree holder so this stuff seems manageable, but sad to say I work quite a bit and don't really follow a lot of world news. People have suggested Foreign Affairs, The Economist or things like that, although they cost money. Anyone recommend any free RSS feeds that I could look at? Thanks in advance.
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Oct 8, 2009 21:29
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I got a BEX invite for the DSS gig Friday. I guess it's really time to start ramping up on my essay practicing.
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Nov 2, 2009 17:05
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Does anyone know if going through with buying an FSOT study guide like on off amazon is worth it? I'm trying to get some practice in on essays, but because Im not really taking the FSOT, I'm not sure it's worth the investment. Also, are there decent websites anyone recommends that supports some sort of writing development in some fashion? EDIT: I checked the yahoo group and didn't find anything terribly helpful, at least for the writing portion itself. There are tips and reviews on which study guide, but nothing I guess Im exactly looking for.
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Nov 4, 2009 20:15
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Just wanna give a quick heads up and say that I passed the BEX yesterday. I'm pretty excited and maybe will be seeing some of you FSO goons in the later future. Take care and good luck everyone.
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Jan 16, 2010 00:58
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Vilerat posted:IMS? DSS
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Jan 16, 2010 02:05
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Grr8 posted:How does one apply for DSS? I think it'd be great to work in an RSO office but don't know a lot about the application process. I actually signed up to get an email alert from State's website that told me it was open. Extremely convenient if you ask me. Every other similar position I have applied for didn't have that, which is lousy because the vacancy announcements are usually open for only a week. I'm looking forward to moving through the process though; sadly I'm not really through some of the other big hurdles so I can't offer insight to how it plays out. so far it doesn't look like they require a physical fitness test, so I guess all I need is a medical cert, suitability and a polygraph. then a panel looks my file over and says yay or nay. then I get on this magic list where they take the names from to fill the classes. this is pretty dumbed down so if anyone else knows more... Homie S fucked around with this message at 07:17 on Jan 19, 2010 |
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Jan 19, 2010 07:12
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You guys saying that the overseas postings are competitive, do you mean that in the sense that it's possible to go to the lowest of low places as a tour or it is hard just to get overseas period?
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Jan 20, 2010 00:33
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Business of Ferrets posted:For DS agents, it's the latter. Hm. Before applying and doing some surface scratching I was under the impression it was really only matter of time before one was going to get sent off to work outside the US. In fact, there was internet-talk about agents getting posted up overseas before their two years worth of touring domestically was up (I say internet-talk because I can't really say that it was reliable information). Thanks for the input though.
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Jan 20, 2010 00:53
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Business of Ferrets posted:I didn't mean to come across as saying that there is no chance of going overseas, just that there are far more domestic DS positions than there are outside the United States. All agents eventually get overseas, and I believe FS specialists have the same requirements to serve overseas that generalists do. Nah I'm pickin up what you're layin down. I'm still doing the whole 'research' thing so I take any advice from people in the business. I guess other sources led me to believe otherwise; either way the gig sounds great to me.
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Jan 20, 2010 17:08
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Pompous Rhombus posted:Doesn't DS also do the security clearance investigations, for State at least? According to the vacancy announcement, yes.
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Jan 20, 2010 19:57
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Grr8 posted:In terms of security and such, should we be keeping our QEP results, and the fact that we're applying for FSO positions secret? I know that when applying for things like DSS they ask you not to tell people you're applying. I looked on the State site but didn't see anything really addressing this. Uh, negatron. At least no one told me that.
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Jan 28, 2010 01:28
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Anyone who got medically cleared use their own insurance for the physical and other battery of tests? I'm going in to the doctor's office tomorrow morning to get started on the medical paperwork, but they first want to see if my insurance will pay for it before they pay for it (which is another round of paperwork I guess). Anyone have any insight? I use Blue Cross Blue Shield for what it's worth.
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Feb 25, 2010 18:54
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Business of Ferrets posted:U.S. Consular Aide and Husband Killed in Mexico Ugh. I'm familiar with the border situation cause I deal with it on a first hand basis, but this is particularly disturbing. Also is interesting that they name Los Aztecas as the culprits. I didn't know they were basically freelancing their services to drug cartels.
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Mar 15, 2010 08:03
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I've done some research on the job cause I'm waiting on my medical and background to clear for DSS. If you have questions about the pre-employment process, feel free to PM me.
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Mar 22, 2010 17:05
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Bizob posted:Yep, thats what my guy wants too. I did the stereotypical yuppie-scumbag backpacking trip with some friends after I graduated from college, which just fits into the 10-year lookback period he wants me to document, and I have absolutely NO idea where we stayed for 95% of the trip. I have the contact information for my travelling companions, and he seems to think that should be enough. Get ahold of them and see where they are and make sure the info is current, you can count on them getting a visit. Also I got multiple emails from my case manager saying they had a guy in the country I lived in for awhile looking for my address and couldn't find it, so that might be fair game too. (although all it took was 2 words in google to find it  )
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Apr 1, 2010 22:35
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Business of Ferrets posted:Current locality pay for DC is 24.22%. We get that when we are assigned to DC, but not when detailed there for training. State is trying to phase in, over three years, an overseas pay scale that mirrors the DC locality pay. We currently receive about one third of DC locality pay overseas, with another third due this fall and the balance next year. Hopefully it goes through; it will fix a lot of perennial pay issues. Let me see if I understand this, sorry if I don't. I understand COLA, but if you go on an overseas tour you are not awarded any sort of COLA payment, instead it comes out of per diem and possible hardship/danger pay or whatever benefit that post might take in. But you're saying currently they are looking into adding COLA to overseas tours.
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Apr 7, 2010 17:48
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Business of Ferrets posted:COLA and locality pay are two different beasts. COLA is a percentage of your disposable income that is provided at some posts where goods and services are more expensive than in the States. Locality pay is the premium the USG believes it must pay to attract and retain talent and remain competitive with the private sector. Oh. I thought COLA and locality were referring to the same thing; my bad. My current agency provides COLA based on that OPM scale, but they always referred to it as our 'locality pay.' So what you are saying is that locality pay should automatically be factored into the overseas base pay, with the chance of COLA being thrown on top (depending on where someone is going). Does DoS pay out locality and COLA for domestic assignments or is it just COLA pay?
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Apr 7, 2010 20:09
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SWATJester posted:I guess that's what I was thinking of. Things like the Oakwood aparments. It has a shuttle to FSI apparently. I thought I remembered reading that you get the option of either having State pay you a housing allowance, or you simply live in their housing place rent-free. HR recommends Oakwood when going to FSI I think.
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Apr 8, 2010 01:17
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who's got two thumbs and is going to FSI in June 
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May 1, 2010 06:26
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TCD posted:Congrats. Homie S fucked around with this message at 06:53 on Jan 9, 2011 |
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May 1, 2010 07:01
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SWATJester posted:I just found out that two guys I served with in the army are in DC with DSS. Someone told me they do like high-level escorts or some such. Anyone have any clue about how I could link up with them? FACEBOOK!?!? Maybe their .gov email addresses? I don't really know what to tell you unless you have a phone number or something...
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May 1, 2010 07:51
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SWATJester posted:Security clearance interview went down today. Took about an hour, asked a lot of questions that I said no to. Learned some new things on my credit report, but nothing major. Keep that phone about you and check your email regularly. I've gone through two of these and case managers and BIs have a habit of calling at any given time looking for last minute info before their deadline.
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May 13, 2010 00:44
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SWATJester posted:I don't know if I can either? I'm not sure if NDA extends to that or not. I'm pretty sure the NDA for your FSOT stuff doesn't cover your security clearance for what it's worth. Don't take my word for it though. Personally I've told people types of questions that they've asked me, but it's not like they are weird questions. Ask yourself: what kinds of questions do you ask someone that you have to be willing to trust with sensitive information? The questions must be verifiable, and they must be clear and concise to avoid ambiguity. It's pretty straight forward if you ask me.
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May 13, 2010 05:16
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TCD posted:Does this guy steal stuff? You're missing another side to it too. Do you travel out of the country a lot? What for? For family? (are they USCs?) List everywhere you've been for the past 10 years. Who do you have continuing contact with abroad? How often? How did you meet them? Where do they live now? List names/addresses/occupations/contact numbers. Do you have any kind of foreign assets? Do you have any kind of business or financial transactions abroad? I think it's obvious why these kinds of questions are asked. quote:There's a DOD site that has adjudicated clearance info for contractors and civilians. It's quite hilarious to read. http://www.dod.gov/dodgc/doha/industrial/ They're fun to read, just try not to derail the thread when you come upon some crazy ones.
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May 13, 2010 23:37
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Welp this has been a weekend from hell In preparation for orientation. I'm in the airport waiting to get on the flight to IAD and it's delayed. Oh, and I'm currently suit-less. Which means I go to Macy's right when I land. UGH.
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Jun 20, 2010 15:33
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Skandiaavity posted:if it helps, Macy's having a huge sale today Thanks for the heads up. I was hoping that all of Macys was having sales due to father's day, so I called the Macys closest to where I'm staying and had them pull a couple choices in my size so I can get in and out. Also I'm cutting it close in terms of when I land and when they close up. Gonna be a fun Sunday!
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Jun 20, 2010 16:27
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Vilerat posted:Hehe... no, find a suit somewhere. Done and done. Crisis averted gents!
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Jun 21, 2010 01:13
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HOW DO YOU PEOPLE LIVE IN WASHINGTON D.C. JESUS CHRIST IM MELTING
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Jun 24, 2010 21:11
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This popped up in my email over the weekend; State is going to start accepting applications for DS Agents tomorrow.quote:DS Special Agent Application Period Opening Soon
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Aug 16, 2010 00:54
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Business of Ferrets posted:Man, I'm so looking forward to R&R I can almost taste it. The seven-day workweeks are starting to really get old. . . . Are you getting overtime or comp time?
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Aug 22, 2010 20:04
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Pompous Rhombus posted:I would rate my chances for the FSOT even lower right now, but like the BEX it'll be invaluable experience if I make it to the Orals. I'm hoping that the DIA and Border Patrol will get back to me about interviews too Out of curiosity where did you BEX?
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Jan 14, 2011 01:26
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SWATJester posted:We don't have kids yet (getting married this November) but the more suburban lifestyle is more our thing anyway. Plus Eden Center ....... :padthai: When you call definitely ask for one of the bigger rooms if there's going to be two of you. I had a bigger one to myself and it was awesome, but I think for two people it's surely better.
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Feb 6, 2011 07:00
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SWATJester posted:Yes. Part of Diplomatic Security Service's job is to counter that threat. That's why DSS has essentially the widest jurisdiction of any law enforcement agency out there. Uh no. ICE wins that prize.
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Feb 13, 2011 05:41
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SWATJester posted:ICE has a larger proportion of agents serving domestically. Actually you are right, I am wrong. I misread what you wrote as widest authority.
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Feb 13, 2011 14:26
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Pompous Rhombus posted:No poly for new FSO's? drat, State, you trusting. An FSO can correct me on this but I believe this stemmed from when Shultz told Reagan he would resign if he made all of his employees start taking polygraphs.
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Feb 13, 2011 18:38
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Skandiaavity posted:Yeah I think DSS gets the widest authority. ICE/Customs probably has more agents per capita but DSS is practically lateral with the USSS. I should've clarified this, my bad. DSS has the widest jurisdiction. They can reach out pretty much anywhere in the world extremely quickly. Whether its coordinating with investigations domestically or helping another agency out, this is definitely true. They don't have nearly as many agents on the ground stateside, but they still cover CONUS. ICE has the widest authority. They can investigate federal violations of law, but they are also title 8 immigration officers. This gives them the ability to do deportations, removal of criminal aliens, administrative asset forfeiture (probably the best one I think; use that car/boat/house/establishment to smuggle some aliens? Uncle Sam is taking it, EVEN if you're not convicted). USSS and DSS are very different, domestic operations included.
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Feb 15, 2011 13:31
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Vilerat posted:State 14046:  GTALK PARTAY
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Feb 15, 2011 22:57
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Skandiaavity posted:i just thought of a question about Information Systems in relation to DSS... I'm not sure if it's sensitive/SBU as it may deal with an internal process, so i'd rather not post it. do you have an email where I can reach you? You'll find it in the profile.
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Feb 16, 2011 04:45
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SWATJester posted:Doesn't bother me, HR said it won't affect my A-100 class. bwahahahaha edit for substance: don't believe everything HR tells you. You will soon (hopefully) find out how it's a crap shoot.
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Feb 20, 2011 18:58
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