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Diplomaticus posted:When would this be? would it not make sense to aim for a DC sorta thing?
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Aug 10, 2012 04:29
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Homie S posted:would it not make sense to aim for a DC sorta thing? No it makes more sense for everybody to visit me in Amsterdam.
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Aug 10, 2012 07:39
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Overheard on the line today: "Why do you want to go to America, sir?" "I just want to dance!"
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Aug 10, 2012 11:39
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Zoots posted:Overheard on the line today: He gets it. Visa that man.
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Aug 10, 2012 12:01
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Vilerat posted:He gets it. Visa that man. Seriously. That's like the [country X] version of Footloose right there. 
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Aug 10, 2012 12:44
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Zoots posted:Overheard on the line today: This is awesome. It'd be amusing to see a list of some of the best and craziest responses to that question. My security clearance investigation has just started, I have my interview next week. My medical clearance might be a problem. I just got back from having my test results filled in on the form. BP 118/62. Kidney and liver functions top notch, blood sugar excellent. Cholesterol HDL 58 LDL 101. A bunch of other numbers that show I'm doing good with my eating and exercise and all that crap. Pretty drat good for a fat chick. In excellent health except...the drat anemia. I've always had it but as I've gotten older it has gotten worse. Since my husband and I started eating mostly vegetarian it's gotten worse despite eating mostly iron rich veggies. The over the counter vitamins I've been taking have not helped apparently. It certainly explains some of the dizziness/lightheadedness I've had and the severe fatigue. It's really really bad, we had to discuss having a blood transfusion. I am concerned it would look bad on my application to have the transfusion so my other option is a more aggressive treatment with prescription iron pills taken with vitamin C pills which help iron absorption, continued focus on fitting in as much iron rich foods as possible. I go back in a month to see if the iron worked. If not I'm afraid I will not pass the medical clearance and if it is still at such a low level they may end up doing a transfusion. I hate needles. Not happy. Gonna go buy some steak tonight. It's medicinal.
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Aug 10, 2012 15:04
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Miscreant Fromage posted:This is awesome. It'd be amusing to see a list of some of the best and craziest responses to that question. If you have underlying health issues, this can really be a problem when overseas. Medevacs cost the USG a lot of money, are stressful on you/family and impact overall readiness of the Mission. They happen as people just get sick, even more so when living overseas in the 3rd/developing world. My advice is do what you need to do to try and get healthy. Good luck, and enjoy the medicinal red meat.
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Aug 10, 2012 15:37
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Miscreant Fromage posted:This is awesome. It'd be amusing to see a list of some of the best and craziest responses to that question. The folks in Riyadh would have even funnier stuff - usually from the support staff for royals. "What do you do for the prince?" "I make the coffee." "Just the coffee?" "I am the coffee person." Didn't know that was a full time gig.
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Aug 10, 2012 17:03
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Zoots posted:The folks in Riyadh would have even funnier stuff - usually from the support staff for royals. Oh god yes. I met people whose job titles were wallet-carrier, dancing midget (part of a troupe), midget tosser, 24/7 videographer, and a professional basketball team - all of whom worked for one high-ranking prince. I interviewed a team of herd managers from the Arabian Peninsula's largest dairy company, who wanted to go to a conference in Oklahoma on new techniques in artificial insemination. That was a fun discussion. I also interviewed a Saudi olympic athlete (apparently at least one Saudi does work), an Arab rapper with several sponsorship deals and several more drug-related ineligibilities, 4 members of Osama bin Laden's extended family (there are hundreds of them), and one guy who described himself as a professional erector.
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Aug 10, 2012 17:47
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I just got informal offers for an internship from Quito and Madrid  for Spring. Needless to say I'm pretty stoked. Both are unpaid, but Quito provides housing. I've got some grants and savings that I can cover it with, but otherwise I have an hard time choosing. Do you guys know anything about the posts?
Xtronoc fucked around with this message at 23:59 on Aug 10, 2012 |
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Aug 10, 2012 23:48
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the_chavi posted:Oh god yes. I met people whose job titles were wallet-carrier, dancing midget (part of a troupe), midget tosser, 24/7 videographer, and a professional basketball team - all of whom worked for one high-ranking prince. Well maybe if my anemia disqualifies me I can find a career in midget tossing. This is fascinating stuff. Makes me want to go consular even more.
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Aug 11, 2012 00:13
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Business of Ferrets posted:Seriously. That's like the [country X] version of Footloose right there. Seriously. Ask him to sing Phil Collins.
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Aug 11, 2012 00:15
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Miscreant Fromage posted:Well maybe if my anemia disqualifies me I can find a career in midget tossing. This is fascinating stuff. Makes me want to go consular even more. tbqh i don't think you'd be DQ'ed from medical. At worst maybe have a class 2 instead of class 1 med - basically, just be restricted from serving in certain areas. I haven't heard of anyone getting dinged for suitability because they had a class 2. But yeah, try to get as healthy as you can. The people at MED are fairly open minded, very easy to talk to, and have probably seen/reviewed a proverbial 'lot of poo poo.'
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Aug 11, 2012 00:19
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Miscreant Fromage posted:This is awesome. It'd be amusing to see a list of some of the best and craziest responses to that question. slightly Off Topic, but most iron-rich veggies also contain a ton of phytates which prevent iron absorbtion. Beans, for example have a ton of phytates which will steal iron from the other foods that it is cooked with. Cofee and tea also inhibit iron absorbtion. Liver is probably the most nutrient dense single food. Most meat also contains compounds that increase your ability to absorb iron. Also, cook with cast iron. An added bonus is a good cast iron skillet beats the hell out of teflon and you can use forks on it. I have a couple old Griswold skillets from the 1930's I picked up at an antique market for a total of 30 bucks. quote:This is awesome. It'd be amusing to see a list of some of the best and craziest responses to that question.
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Aug 11, 2012 00:23
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Skandiaavity posted:tbqh i don't think you'd be DQ'ed from medical. At worst maybe have a class 2 instead of class 1 med - basically, just be restricted from serving in certain areas. I haven't heard of anyone getting dinged for suitability because they had a class 2. I thought a class 1 was a requirement to get on the register, it just stops mattering once they actually hire you?
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Aug 11, 2012 04:56
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Saho posted:I thought a class 1 was a requirement to get on the register, it just stops mattering once they actually hire you? When I came in, that used to be the case, now I don't know.
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Aug 11, 2012 14:53
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TCD posted:When I came in, that used to be the case, now I don't know. You have to be available for worldwide placement to get on the register, it's still a requirement.
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Aug 11, 2012 17:31
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Xtronoc posted:I just got informal offers for an internship from Quito and Madrid I have read bad things about Quito, but you'd save a crapload of money with housing.
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Aug 11, 2012 18:25
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Diplomaticus posted:I have read bad things about Quito, but you'd save a crapload of money with housing. Yeah, having housing provided is pretty awesome. I think most posts put out volunteer emails to house people as well.
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Aug 11, 2012 21:33
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Miscreant Fromage posted:You have to be available for worldwide placement to get on the register, it's still a requirement. Ah, okay. But Like everything (except one thing), there is a waiver: DOS posted:"On request, the Director General of the Foreign Service, or designee, may consider granting a waiver of the worldwide availability requirement for a candidate who is unable to qualify for a worldwide medical clearance." Going to add two notes, though: 1) You can only request a waiver if you know the process. Only your HR/Registrar person would know said process. I think the procedure is they will advise you that your candidacy will be terminated, and then you have to specifically reply/ask them on how the process of a waiver works. And then do whatever they say, basically. 2) Also know that the granting of waivers is pretty uncommon if not rare. Personally speaking, If you score well enough and have some kind of plan that would eventually result in a Class 1 clearance, I'd imagine it's possible to get you one.
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Aug 11, 2012 22:38
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Xtronoc posted:I just got informal offers for an internship from Quito and Madrid Depending on what you're trying to do and where you've lived in the past it might be pretty handy to have lived in a developing nation for a while. Also, doesn't Ecuador just sound cooler than Spain?
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Aug 11, 2012 23:30
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Holy poo poo I finally made it to the register.
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Aug 12, 2012 00:32
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 Congratulations! what number / cone?
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Aug 12, 2012 02:36
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CON, but I don't know my number yet.
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Aug 12, 2012 17:57
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I've finally done it. I mastered Biltong.
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Aug 12, 2012 18:08
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So its beef jerky cured with vinegar? No thanks.
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Aug 12, 2012 22:36
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I actually do have a question. What do generalists do when they are posted in DC? Work alongside GS employees? I'm mostly interested in Consular, since that's my cone. I feel like I have a decent handle on the overseas work, but when it comes to US posts, I have no idea.
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Aug 13, 2012 00:58
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Vilerat posted:I've finally done it. I mastered Biltong. Can't say I was a fan of it.
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Aug 13, 2012 01:51
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Tyro posted:I actually do have a question. What do generalists do when they are posted in DC? Work alongside GS employees? I'm mostly interested in Consular, since that's my cone. I feel like I have a decent handle on the overseas work, but when it comes to US posts, I have no idea. There are a ton of things people do in DC from people on the Sec. State line that basically travel everywhere with her to people who work on various types of inspections and audits to instructors. One of the things I was surprised about was the variety of work people do, especially in dc. I'm in training now and feel like everyday is a bit of a job fair...
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Aug 13, 2012 22:39
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Yeah, a boring life this ain't.* Regardless of field. * depends on the post
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Aug 14, 2012 00:19
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I would also like to add, don't have a spouse who is an rear end or high maintenance. Whether they work as an EFM or are staying, how they treat others who work at/for the Embassy (such as Facilities and Housing) will get around and it won't be appreciated  . Be realistic and discuss if your family will be able to live in a 3rd world country, where there is no standard of code on building, where there are limited supplies, where social life could be restricted etc. In our first post I have seen many families not ready for the reality of living in a 3rd world country. It is not only hard on yourself as the directed spouse but on those at the embassy that also have to work with them. Also be grateful that your housing is free and understand that housing boards do the best they can to place you, it all just depends on timing of your arrival and what is available. That is just my two cents as an EFM.
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Aug 14, 2012 12:18
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Closet Nerd posted:I would also like to add, don't have a spouse who is an rear end or high maintenance. Whether they work as an EFM or are staying, how they treat others who work at/for the Embassy (such as Facilities and Housing) will get around and it won't be appreciated Very good points! I've seen too many people join because this is their Dream Job without actually considering the family/spouse ramifications. Sounds like you're married to a GSO or someone in FM. ;-)
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Aug 14, 2012 21:56
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I just submitted my application for the test and I was somewhat surprised there's no information about locations.Sorry if this question has already been covered a hundred times, but can any embassy/consulate serve as a testing site? I'm floating between countries in eastern Europe at the moment and I'm not sure where I'm going to be exactly--will I need to give them a definite location and be assigned a definite place to take the test, or can I just pop in wherever? The first seems more plausible than the second, but I'm hoping it won't be a problem!
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Aug 15, 2012 04:48
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What timing. Broke up with the to-be fiance (who was the whole reason I put myself on do-not-call) 10 days after I was called for/turned down the September class. On the plus side, this makes things much less complicated when I (hopefully) get called in 2013. mute fucked around with this message at 05:02 on Aug 15, 2012 |
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Aug 15, 2012 05:00
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the_chavi posted:Sounds like you're married to a GSO or someone in FM. ;-) Or to me .
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Aug 15, 2012 06:57
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Smerdyakov posted:Sorry if this question has already been covered a hundred times, but can any embassy/consulate serve as a testing site? I'm floating between countries in eastern Europe at the moment and I'm not sure where I'm going to be exactly--will I need to give them a definite location and be assigned a definite place to take the test, or can I just pop in wherever? I believe a lot of embassies/consulates offer it, but not every one. You will have to choose the one you'll take it at beforehand, no popping in the day of. You'll need to confirm the embassy/consulate, the date and the time all online. Total Confusion fucked around with this message at 15:08 on Aug 15, 2012 |
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Aug 15, 2012 07:18
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mute posted:What timing. Broke up with the to-be fiance (who was the whole reason I put myself on do-not-call) 10 days after I was called for/turned down the September class. Oh drat, that sucks... at least training and your first assignment will be fun!
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Aug 15, 2012 14:50
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Don't know if this is okay for the thread, but it seemed like a good place to ask - are there any good online Masters in Int'l Relations programs out there? Looks like a couple MPA programs which might be useful, but I don't see much IR
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Aug 15, 2012 15:09
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You now have until September 19th to apply for your chance to join the increasingly absurd number of Foreign Service IT goons: http://careers.state.gov/specialist/vacancy-announcements/ims?source=govdelivery
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Aug 15, 2012 17:21
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AKA Pseudonym posted:You now have until September 19th to apply for your chance to join the increasingly absurd number of Foreign Service IT goons: drat. Was hoping to have my cert done by the next vacancy. They seem to be every ~6 months or so tho, so it's not too bad.
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Aug 15, 2012 17:52
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