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Bruxism posted:Anyone here recently done a tour in Moscow? Considering bidding on it, but anxious that it could be rougher than I anticipate. Happy to take the conversation to a more discrete channel. Thanks. No, but much like everything in the FS, it's 1 degree of separation from pretty much any post - some whom have just rotated out from there.
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Oct 12, 2014 21:34
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I've got a bunch of friends there now. Want me to hook you up? Also, Nordstrom should still be in St. Pete...
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Oct 13, 2014 00:17
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PopRocks posted:I don't work there but I know someone who does and this is really bumming me out. What's this about?
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Oct 13, 2014 03:20
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Nutrimentia posted:What's this about? This: http://www.washingtonpost.com/polit...a02d_story.html This bullshit was investigated when it happened, and investigated again when he got his security clearance from the state department. There is no cover up and I hate that I can't yell at all the idiots on twitter and in the comments section about it.
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Oct 13, 2014 04:34
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the_chavi posted:I've got a bunch of friends there now. Want me to hook you up? Also, Nordstrom should still be in St. Pete... I would appreciate it if you could put me in touch with one of them. I don't want to bug a bunch of people about it, just curious about the current working/living climate in light of all the recent international tiffs....Thanks!
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Oct 13, 2014 08:58
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Got a friend there as well; shoot me a PM or an email.
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Oct 13, 2014 13:14
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Bruxism posted:I would appreciate it if you could put me in touch with one of them. I don't want to bug a bunch of people about it, just curious about the current working/living climate in light of all the recent international tiffs....Thanks! Emails sent. 
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Oct 13, 2014 14:37
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PopRocks posted:This: http://www.washingtonpost.com/polit...a02d_story.html "Administration officials interviewed by The Post earlier this year said there was no reason to investigate Dach beyond interviews with him and his fellow White House team members and a review of their expense accounts, because he was not a government employee and because prostitution is legal in parts of Colombia, including Cartagena." interviews aren't investigating. And furthermore as every FS personnel knows (or will know soonest), just because it's legal in host country doesn't mean it's legal for you. The way the administration makes it sound like is "oh this guy was a volunteer so he's not really worth investigating". nevermind he is a volunteer on an official, highly public, government trip. but yes it seems a political message by the Post more than anything.
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Oct 14, 2014 05:32
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I've been thinking about joining the Foreign Service for a few years now, but only recently did I decide, "Hey, you're single, you can do anything, why not at least try?" So I went and took the FSOT last Friday. There were MANY [no stem] questions. I figured it was a "let's see if they're smart enough to figure out what the question is based on the available answers" but apparently I'm wrong! For what it's worth, I took the test in Anaheim CA. For the current FSOs, could you please confirm my research? I'm already a federal civilian at GS-12 step 2, and possibly GS-13 by next year. I have six years of enlisted experience, one year of contracting to the FBI, and 5 years of federal civil service. I have a bachelor's degree in international relations and my current salary is $79,991. Based on SOP 134A1, I *think* my my enlisted experience is creditable. Ordinarily it wouldn't be but the SOP states that if it meets the definition of "The employee’s primary duty must be, or must have been, the performance of work requiring advanced knowledge, defined as work which is predominantly intellectual in character and which includes work requiring the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment." If my time as a linguist in the military counts then I'd have 12 years of creditable experience. The distinction is important because I could be either an FP-5 or an FP-4. As an FP-4, they'd probably max me out at step 14, and I'd lose about $1,000 a year, but as an FP-5 I'd likely be losing a lot of money to transfer over. Is that correct?
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Oct 14, 2014 17:00
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Drewski posted:I've been thinking about joining the Foreign Service for a few years now, but only recently did I decide, "Hey, you're single, you can do anything, why not at least try?" So I went and took the FSOT last Friday. There were MANY [no stem] questions. I figured it was a "let's see if they're smart enough to figure out what the question is based on the available answers" but apparently I'm wrong! For what it's worth, I took the test in Anaheim CA. Congrats on knocking out the test! Seems like it was a common problem. (And yes, a problem, not some sort of mind fuckery). According to the website (which I'm sure you've seen), you can hit FP-4 one of four ways: quote:DOCTORATE and no professional experience, or They're generally quite understanding with their definition of "professional experience" (my administrative internships and teaching both counted). If you can make 12 years, you'll be gravy. Either way, everyone who gets tenure ends up at FP-4. The Mantis fucked around with this message at 17:18 on Oct 14, 2014 |
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Oct 14, 2014 17:16
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Drewski posted:The distinction is important because I could be either an FP-5 or an FP-4. As an FP-4, they'd probably max me out at step 14, and I'd lose about $1,000 a year, but as an FP-5 I'd likely be losing a lot of money to transfer over. Is that correct? Don't forget to include the housing benefits. Once you're at your post, you won't have to pay rent.
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Oct 14, 2014 18:04
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Another huge advantage aside from salary is the fact that you are a military vet with at least 3 years of service. That will give you a significant boost on the hiring register if you pass the Oral Assessment and Final Review Panel. I think you get .35 points for being a vet, which means that at the very worst, you would have a 5.65, which is pretty good. (It's not a guarantee of getting called to an A-100 class, but you have a better than even shot at it.) And yeah, I saw the {stem} questions too. I didn't think it was a big deal, but it seems that a lot of people are freaking out over it. I guess we'll see in 3 weeks.
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Oct 14, 2014 18:46
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zzonkmiles posted:Another huge advantage aside from salary is the fact that you are a military vet with at least 3 years of service. That will give you a significant boost on the hiring register if you pass the Oral Assessment and Final Review Panel. I think you get .35 points for being a vet, which means that at the very worst, you would have a 5.65, which is pretty good. (It's not a guarantee of getting called to an A-100 class, but you have a better than even shot at it.) I was actually rather surprised at how similar this was to other tests that I've taken. I scored in the 98th percentile on the English portion of the GMAT, so I am very comfortable with my performance in that section of the FSOT. And for the record I'm a 10-point vet with 10% disability, so not sure how that factors in but I'm doing my research now!
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Oct 14, 2014 18:59
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Drewski posted:As an FP-4, they'd probably max me out at step 14, and I'd lose about $1,000 a year, but as an FP-5 I'd likely be losing a lot of money to transfer over. Is that correct? You won't lose money. Between post differentials, overseas pay, factoring in rent/mortgage savings, incentive/language bonuses, and cost of living adjustments you'll make equivalent of $20-$50k more than your current salary depending where you're posted and what your rent/mortgage is right now. Of course, some places are far more expensive -- as some here can personally attest to -- than others, say London vs. Chisinau. Your pay isn't adjusted nearly enough to compensate, so you have to factor that in. Another thing to consider is loss of dual income from your partner if you're in that situation. Some posts have it easier than others for your EFM to get a job, all depends. I personally think the FS (really HR in DC) does a terrible job advertising benefits and compensation. I make almost 3x what my jobs minimum pay range is in the advert (when I factor in crazy DC rent savings). Coming from the private sector, at a quick glance of the advert, it's easy to dismiss the job as a really low paying and not even bother applying.
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Oct 14, 2014 20:32
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problematique posted:You won't lose money. Between post differentials, overseas pay, factoring in rent/mortgage savings, incentive/language bonuses, and cost of living adjustments you'll make equivalent of $20-$50k more than your current salary depending where you're posted and what your rent/mortgage is right now. He'd coming in as GS already getting locality pay in Southern California (if he tested in Anaheim). So you'd lose some locality pay, but probably get it back in differential. The big savings is the rent and utilities as a single person.
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Oct 14, 2014 20:50
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Man, this job has really taken a dump on my ability to manage a fantasy football team. Last year I came in second in my league, this year I am 1-5 so far. On the flip side I am making bank thanks to all the TDYs, seeing lots of cities I have never been to, and doing some cool stuff with a really high amount of personal responsibility.
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Oct 14, 2014 22:25
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problematique posted:
^^This!
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Oct 15, 2014 03:56
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https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=16452 So when OSAC puts out a warning for an "imminent terrorist threat", you'd think there would be mention of it on the Embassy twitter account, or the embassy website.
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Oct 15, 2014 05:53
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Drewski posted:I was actually rather surprised at how similar this was to other tests that I've taken. I scored in the 98th percentile on the English portion of the GMAT, so I am very comfortable with my performance in that section of the FSOT. And for the record I'm a 10-point vet with 10% disability, so not sure how that factors in but I'm doing my research now! Where you get ur MBA? Anyway, a couple of people over at the yahoo group heard back from State regarding the {no stem} questions. Apparently State is telling us that there were no bugs and it was all part of the plan. {no stem} questions were supposed to be treated as questions without a prompt and because the no prompt questions were mentioned in the instructions, it's tough poo poo for us.
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Oct 15, 2014 07:34
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Womacks-JP-23 posted:Where you get ur MBA? I attended University of Nevada, Reno, but was offered a Navy job in Southern California that offered higher upward mobility and so I took it. I dropped from the program after completing four classes. I've been considering applying to schools down here (UCSB, CSU Channel Islands, Pepperdine) none of which are very far from where I live/work to finish the program. They'd probably have me restart rather than continue. I don't mind, because I really enjoyed the business math stuff and I can see how brand management applies even to government agencies. Advertising maybe not so much, but you never know. In my current line of work it would be useless, but I could see it would be valuable for other agencies. Drewski fucked around with this message at 19:14 on Oct 15, 2014 |
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Oct 15, 2014 16:07
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Took the IMS Oral Assessment yesterday and passed with a 5.7! Then got stuck at Reagan Natl for 15 hours. All in all it was a pretty awesome day.
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Oct 15, 2014 17:19
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Blooregard posted:Took the IMS Oral Assessment yesterday and passed with a 5.7! Then got stuck at Reagan Natl for 15 hours. All in all it was a pretty awesome day. On my report to Washington DC move, my flight was delayed then cancelled due to a volcanic eruption. I was going to miss my report to work Monday so I paid a ticket change at the airport to fly on another airline but I had to overnight in Chicago. Then over the airport intercom they asked for everybody to immediately board my flight as the volcano has just erupted again and the ash cloud was headed our way. We were the second to last plane to fly out for two days. That first week you go over travel claims and reimbursements and how you must follow what's on your orders or you won't get reimbursed *unless certain conditions apply. I raised my hand and told my story to which they all had a laugh. I was then known as volcano guy for the next few weeks during specialist orientation. I did get reimbursed.
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Oct 15, 2014 17:37
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TCD posted:I was then known as volcano guy for the next few weeks during specialist orientation. That nickname could be taken so many different ways too. Our plane had a broken part, they spent 7 hours fixing it, then we boarded again and something else broke. The captain actually called the plane a lemon so I think we were all OK with not trying our luck on that plane. I did get to experience the serenity of Reagan Natl at 3 am though.
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Oct 15, 2014 17:56
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Blooregard posted:I did get to experience the serenity of Reagan Natl at 3 am though. Bleak...
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Oct 15, 2014 19:03
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Kind of reminded me of that zombie movie where they are holed up in the abandoned mall.
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Oct 15, 2014 21:39
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Blooregard posted:Took the IMS Oral Assessment yesterday and passed with a 5.7! Then got stuck at Reagan Natl for 15 hours. All in all it was a pretty awesome day. Congrats! I'm doing the IMS OA on Monday, hopefully I'll get good news as well.
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Oct 15, 2014 22:44
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Leif. posted:https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=16452 Can't speak to the social media side of the house, but this is from yesterday. Everyone enrolled in STEP (I know, it's not everyone) would have been notified by text or email. http://ethiopia.usembassy.gov/em_101414a.html
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Oct 16, 2014 01:22
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the_chavi posted:Can't speak to the social media side of the house, but this is from yesterday. Everyone enrolled in STEP (I know, it's not everyone) would have been notified by text or email. I don't know about social media, but the word was definitely spread quite rapidly Tue night/Wed morning.
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Oct 16, 2014 08:48
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Hungry Hippo posted:Congrats! I'm doing the IMS OA on Monday, hopefully I'll get good news as well. Thanks, and good luck to you on Monday!
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Oct 16, 2014 13:52
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the_chavi posted:Can't speak to the social media side of the house, but this is from yesterday. Everyone enrolled in STEP (I know, it's not everyone) would have been notified by text or email. It took them several hours, and by that time, everyone I spoke to (including local nationals) had already heard it through the grapevine spreading the OSAC link around.
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Oct 16, 2014 21:22
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Blooregard posted:Thanks, and good luck to you on Monday! So I've successfully passed the IMS OA as well with a 5.8! Now on to the next phase!
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Oct 20, 2014 18:00
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Hungry Hippo posted:So I've successfully passed the IMS OA as well with a 5.8! Now on to the next phase! Hell yeah! Huge congrats!
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Oct 20, 2014 18:57
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Hungry Hippo posted:So I've successfully passed the IMS OA as well with a 5.8! Now on to the next phase! Aw man, you just had to one up me, eh? Congrats!!!
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Oct 20, 2014 19:35
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The Mantis posted:Hell yeah! Huge congrats! Thanks! Blooregard posted:Aw man, you just had to one up me, eh? Heh, I still need to add Veteran's preference, and I'll probably try to get the language bonus as well since I'm bilingual. I doubt we'll need it, from what I hear the IMS pool is kind of slim at the moment. I'm just excited to make it this far, I remember stopping short at the QEP two years ago and thinking that was it for my State department career goals.
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Oct 20, 2014 19:52
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Hungry Hippo posted:Thanks! Glad you stuck with it!
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Oct 22, 2014 09:40
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Congratulations and welcome to the fold.
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Oct 22, 2014 10:13
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Not that I've heard anything official, but I'm expecting the October 2014 FSOT results to be released within 10 days. This wait is not nearly as intense as sweating out the QEP results. But it would be nice to have official confirmation of being able to move on. Also, does Captain Bravo still post here? I think I found the rubric that the test administrators use for scoring the FSOT essays! State doesn't grade those; the testing contractor does.
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Oct 27, 2014 17:16
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I do! I've been kind of quiet until the next test rolls around. Speaking of the tests, has the last round of results come in yet? I'm wondering how Leroy did. (Please don't take the candy man away from us, Gub'ment!)
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Oct 29, 2014 04:07
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Captain Bravo posted:I do! I've been kind of quiet until the next test rolls around. Speaking of the tests, has the last round of results come in yet? I'm wondering how Leroy did. (Please don't take the candy man away from us, Gub'ment!) Hey man. Send an email to my username at Google's free email service. I want to forward you a link. I suppose I could post it here, but I'd rather not do that until after I safely make it in! It's not a violation of any rules with State or anything, but you know. EDIT: I just checked the official State page. A green checkmark says that results for the October test will be released on October 30. Yeah, I can dig it.
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Oct 29, 2014 05:53
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zzonkmiles posted:Not that I've heard anything official, but I'm expecting the October 2014 FSOT results to be released within 10 days. This wait is not nearly as intense as sweating out the QEP results. But it would be nice to have official confirmation of being able to move on. I'm not sure what the current system is but before it was done by ACT, I believe, based on their standard 5-paragraph essay.
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Oct 29, 2014 11:03
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