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Bellum posted:Have any of you in State worked with military attaché? What is that like, seen from the outside? Eh, I've supported them on their comms at the Embassy (U.S. attachés) and worked on a few operational things as well as hung out with them. I'm not sure what you mean by "seen from the outside" bit.
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Mar 19, 2012 12:36
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Same -- I've supported some of their purchasing/acquisitions/contracting stuff with US firms for foreign military assistance, as well as been involved with them on a couple of internal working groups. Not sure how much detail about that kind of thing I want to post here though.
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Mar 19, 2012 13:54
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Not sure if this is the right thread, but is there an "official" answer as to why the US hasn't ratified various international environmental and human rights treaties? I've really enjoyed using various websites the State Department has put out, such as the history one, to answer such questions when my own knowledge or understanding reaches its limits, but someone asked me this and I am stumped. I can't remember the name of it now, but I once stumbled across a Q&A session with reasonably fair answers to questions such as "Why are Americans so fat" and "Do all Americans have guns" and it was super useful (and hilarious, because as an American living abroad those were just the questions one gets asked all the time...)
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Mar 19, 2012 17:20
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hitension posted:Not sure if this is the right thread, but is there an "official" answer as to why the US hasn't ratified various international environmental and human rights treaties? Congress is an rear end in a top hat.
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Mar 19, 2012 17:59
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The answer to just about every 'Why is America poo poo at/in X" is Congress is an rear end in a top hat.
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Mar 19, 2012 19:00
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That was my sneaking suspicion, but it doesn't explain a few things. Other countries also have parliament/congress/etc systems where people vote on things. Some countries are even more conservative than the US in certain aspects or during certain times. But the US is always the notable exception in ratifying international treaties. Some countries can ratify treaties with reservations, why doesn't the US just do this? There must be some more detailed legal explanation?
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Mar 19, 2012 19:18
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hitension posted:That was my sneaking suspicion, but it doesn't explain a few things. In many cases, the USA simply does not wish to cede sovereignty, even when a treaty might otherwise appear to be in the nation's interest. Also, if U.S. policy or law already adequately addresses an issue, it can make for a much harder sell to ratify a treaty, domestically.
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Mar 19, 2012 20:32
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Bellum posted:Have any of you in State worked with military attaché? What is that like, seen from the outside? I've worked extensively with Defense Attache Offices, both in traditional environments and in a war zone. I've enjoyed my interactions and in general have been impressed with the cultural and language skills of the attaches. The lifestyle is good because the DAO falls under Chief of Mission Authority, which means that attaches live more like diplomats than soldiers, etc. (including housing, schools, and so on). Did you have a specific question?
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Mar 19, 2012 20:41
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hitension posted:That was my sneaking suspicion, but it doesn't explain a few things. Two reasons: 1. Republicans are insane. 2. We da big dawg, we don't need no drat Uurpee-ans. 
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Mar 19, 2012 22:44
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So, I should hear back from on the IMS position to see if I qualify for OAs within 30 days, right? I know I'm going to be waiting a long time but I'm anxious about this first step.
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Mar 19, 2012 23:23
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AgentSythe posted:So, I should hear back from on the IMS position to see if I qualify for OAs within 30 days, right? I know I'm going to be waiting a long time but I'm anxious about this first step. It took around 4 months from close of the vacancy date to be notified I passed the QEP. I didn't receive my actual OA date until a month later. As I recall, they only gave me about a week and a half notification before the OA date(you can reschedule if necessary).
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Mar 20, 2012 01:42
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Vilerat posted:Ok this is how it works. You have US medical insurance, we use foreign service benefits plan (Coventry). You get billed directly for any issue and submit the bills to your insurance company and while you pay out of pocket, you get reimbursed quickly. Vilerat, I've been checking OPM, apparently we need to choose-our-own med plan (and there's like a hundred of them). Is this coventry stacked on top of the US Medical insurance (say, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan -std- Nationwide) or do we have to go for plans like "Foreign Service Benefit Plan -high- Specific Areas"? appreciate the clarification.
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Mar 20, 2012 04:10
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The Foreign Service Benefit Plan, is administered by Coventry and is offered via AFSPA (American Foreign Service Protective Association). So FSBP High/Low option, Self-only/Self-plus-one/Family Plan is the name of your plan, but Coventry is the one that your doctor will bill. For FSBP, the further breakdown is like this: High/Low option determines the maximum benefits/coverage and also your monthly premium. Self/Self+1/Family determines how many people it covers and also affects your premium. But that's it. I believe it works the same way for specialists, but on our first day of A-100, you'll get a period of time to meet with all the different providers (We had like 5 or 6, each with a few different plans)and pick which ones you want. From what I've heard, the majority of people go with FSBP or BC/BS plans (the exact plan depending on your family needs). You can always change your plan during open season, or during a qualifying life event (PCS to/from post, marriage, etc.) So a lot of people will have a "domestic plan" with one provider while in DC, based on where they live and what docs/hospitals are closer, and then will change to their "international plan" when they go to post. That help?
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Mar 20, 2012 07:14
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Actually, yeah. That helped a ton. Although the process is different, the system sounds very similar to private insurance. State's EOD site ( http://careers.state.gov/EOD , feel free to include it in the OP if you wish.. ) was all "go to OMB and CYOHealth Plan which varies" so it was a little 
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Mar 20, 2012 16:45
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http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20120320/BENEFITS01/203200302/1001 Uhg. DoD, no cuts for you! Everybody else, cut away!
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Mar 21, 2012 13:10
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quote:"Immune from the effects of the recession, federal workers have received regular salary bumps regardless of productivity or economic realities," the proposal said. "Federal workers deserve to be compensated equitably for their important work, but their pay levels, pay increases and fringe benefits should be reformed to better align with those of their private-sector counterparts." Sure, OK. Pay me the six-figure salary I would be making doing this sort of work in the private sector then.
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Mar 21, 2012 13:25
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Diplomaticus posted:Sure, OK. Pay me the six-figure salary I would be making doing this sort of work in the private sector then. One of the big myths of federal jobs is that we get paid A LOT of money. This is somewhat true for entry level to about mid-level jobs but we lose a lot of senior level people because the private pays much more. I know I could get paid at least 20-30% more if I went private. You could argue that the benefit of job security outweighs this though.
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Mar 21, 2012 18:43
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It's not true for entry and mid level jobs either. I'm in grad school and to a person every single classmate of mine has been horrified when I've told them the starting salary range I'm looking at for federal jobs.
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Mar 21, 2012 18:59
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Tyro posted:It's not true for entry and mid level jobs either. I'm in grad school and to a person every single classmate of mine has been horrified when I've told them the starting salary range I'm looking at for federal jobs. I thought I read that part of the discrepancy on the CBO report on Fed salary/compensation was that contractors also participated in the survey. That could just be a rumor however. Either way, with all the reports of the economy improving, having a pay freeze until 2015 sucks.
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Mar 21, 2012 20:58
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OTOH, you have tenure... it's very interesting to see both sides of the debate.
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Mar 21, 2012 21:20
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Tyro posted:It's not true for entry and mid level jobs either. I'm in grad school and to a person every single classmate of mine has been horrified when I've told them the starting salary range I'm looking at for federal jobs. Well, I got $42,500 as a GS-7 with just a B.A. (Got hired as a Federal Career Intern). GS-7 is about entry level with a college degree and I think $42,000 is more than I was making entry level elsewhere in DC (First job was $35k). Maybe that is off base... but I thought 42K was good for what would amount to a job right out of school. Now, I am a wise GS-12...
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Mar 21, 2012 22:16
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On a completely different note, if you're PCSing with pets via United or a United codeshare flight, things are about to get more complicated and costly. Their new policies and restrictions on pet travel are, well, way more restricting. They received major blowback from military families, so they instituted a waiver for those on military orders. The prolific FS blogger Digger does a decent job of explaining the whole thing:quote:United has, kindly, granted a waiver to members of the military traveling on permanent change of station orders. Although all the specifics are not clear, it appears that the main elements of the waiver are (1) optional use of professional pet shipper; (2) waiving of $40 fuel and security charges; (3) flat rate* for cargo under United’s PetSafe program; and (4) United will assume responsibility for the transfer of pets to the connecting airline. Without the waiver, the traveler has to somehow accomplish this on his or her own, coping with getting to a cargo terminal, collecting a crated pet, take it to the connecting airline and do all this within the transit time allowed. You could, of course, also pay a third-party freight forwarder to help, but that would add anywhere from one to four thousand dollars to your shipping costs. AFSA and about 3,000 concerned members asked, "Any chance we could be included on this waiver too?" United replied to AFSA: AFSA posted:“United’s Senior Manager for Marketing, Customer Service and Business Systems responded to my letter to United CEO Smisek on March 7. He said that United developed the waiver for the military “in recognition of the commitment made by members of our military and the family members (including the four-legged ones) who share in their sacrifice” and intends to limit this “special process” to military families only. United has sent a standard customer relations response to individual e-mails saying that concerns would be conveyed to senior management for disposition.” I realize that the FS community is tiny in comparison (insert military band member reference here) - but this isn't about the relative sacrifice that one family makes over another. Last I checked, we're all serving our country. But that reply stings a little. Hopefully United will come around on this.
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Mar 22, 2012 14:32
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...so, United's position is that Private Jones' tabby makes bigger sacrifices and takes bigger risks for its country than, let's say, an assistant RSO in Kabul? Just want to make sure I'm reading that right.
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Mar 22, 2012 15:19
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Yeah we ripped the United rep a new rear end in a top hat over this.
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Mar 22, 2012 15:28
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Diplomaticus posted:Yeah we ripped the United rep a new rear end in a top hat over this. As well you should have. Any budge?
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Mar 22, 2012 15:31
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Oh hey, question. Is going IMS > FSO that much easier than trying directly to go FSO? I know the positions have been described in the thread, I couldn't recall any advice about it though. I guess what I'm asking is, if you have an IT background and can qualify for an IMS position, would you recommend it as the best path to becoming an FSO?
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Mar 22, 2012 15:55
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Barracuda Bang! posted:Oh hey, question. Is going IMS > FSO that much easier than trying directly to go FSO? I know the positions have been described in the thread, I couldn't recall any advice about it though. There's an internal transfer process. I'm going to apply for it in May. At the very least, it will take you 3 years from when you start as an IMS and I'm guessing, it's not going to be easy. You can also attempt the FSOT every year just as if you were a normal joe on the outside while still being in the FS, making contacts, etc.
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Mar 22, 2012 16:26
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Diplomaticus posted:Sure, OK. Pay me the six-figure salary I would be making doing this sort of work in the private sector then. http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/03/20/ryan_budget_contains_huge_cuts_for_diplomacy_and_development Oh poo poo posted:But apparently Ryan does not believe diplomacy and development are part of that tool kit, because his proposal would see the international affairs account slashed from $47.8 billion in fiscal 2012 to $43.1 billion in fiscal 2013, $40.1 billion in fiscal 2014, $38.3 billion in fiscal 2015, and $38.1 billion in fiscal 2016. Well I suppose I should work on those IT certificates.
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Mar 22, 2012 17:19
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Dear Jesus, do NOT make me go back to being a lawyer. Seriously, I took a huge pay cut to join FS, and it's a decision I'd make again any day of the week. These delusional assholes who think I'm getting rich setting piles of US taxpayer money on fire in the street can suck it. Although, I do like to make jokes about my "Section 8" housing.
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Mar 22, 2012 20:16
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TCD: I'll trade you the tenure for my cushy private gig job  edit: offer's only open for one month, hurry while supplies last!
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Mar 22, 2012 23:55
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OMS just opened up. I'm over qualified but figure I'll give it a shot and maybe get lucky. It looks like a hell of a pay cut though which will suck but hopefully my degrees and experience would land me higher on the pay scale? If I can get in that way though at least it is a foot in the door and perhaps I can keep working on trying to go FSO or librarian.
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Mar 23, 2012 12:48
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nocturna posted:OMS just opened up. I'm over qualified but figure I'll give it a shot and maybe get lucky. It looks like a hell of a pay cut though which will suck but hopefully my degrees and experience would land me higher on the pay scale? If I can get in that way though at least it is a foot in the door and perhaps I can keep working on trying to go FSO or librarian. I think you have a chance to negotiate your salary during the HR hiring process. If they won't give you enough steps, I'd just walk away.
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Mar 23, 2012 13:14
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TCD posted:I think you have a chance to negotiate your salary during the HR hiring process. If they won't give you enough steps, I'd just walk away. Cool good to know. Of course I also have to consider the benefits like housing so that's a plus. Right now I make $50k as a project manager/office manager so dropping down to $35k would suck.
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Mar 23, 2012 13:20
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This pretty much sums up my mood right now.   
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Mar 23, 2012 19:25
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out of curiosity, how long do final confirmation packages typically take to arrive?
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Mar 23, 2012 21:47
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What a week. Paypal got hacked to the tune of 1200+ dollars (not including fees/charges). Car broke down. Major VIP in town, which of course I got tasked on. Sheesh.
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Mar 30, 2012 19:11
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Diplomaticus posted:What a week. Paypal got hacked to the tune of 1200+ dollars (not including fees/charges). Car broke down. Major VIP in town, which of course I got tasked on. Sheesh. Junior Officers are the best officers to have around when a VIP visits. Sorry to hear about the PayPal.
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Mar 30, 2012 19:56
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Diplomaticus posted:What a week. Paypal got hacked to the tune of 1200+ dollars (not including fees/charges). Car broke down. Major VIP in town, which of course I got tasked on. Sheesh. Cons - Another day/night of no hot water at the house. I loving hate taking cold showers in the morning. Pros - I picked up 5 cases of Fat Tire and 2 cases of Sam Adams. -I wrote a memo a few months back which is now one of the top 8 global post priorities for the Office of Management/ Policy, Right Sizing, Innovation with analysis and recommendations on IRM IPC staffing and travel budgets for ClassNet Regionalization. Yeah that's going on my EER. 
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Mar 30, 2012 20:58
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what my husband forgot to mention about this week was that also our house alarm went off Thursday night because of a disarmed smoke detector that took about an hour or so to get it off. A water pipe in the city broke so now we have water deliveries almost every day to the house and our water distiller broke leaving a lot of our kitchen floor in a pool of water to come home to. What a week! Thank god the past two nights we have been getting rain though, Ethiopia needs it!
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Mar 31, 2012 16:51
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And the water just died again. RIGHT after I flushed, thankfully.
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Mar 31, 2012 17:05
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