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Ah, yes.. the FSWE.. .... One score and three years ago, I applied..
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Nov 3, 2012 02:54
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| # ? Apr 26, 2024 06:12 |
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Happy birthday Marines! The talk about Benghazi brought a tear again to my eye. To Shadowninja and many other MSGs around the world, thank you, and happy birthday.
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Nov 3, 2012 04:50
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I have never had a more difficult time then I am having with these questions. Nothing I come up with seems very good or impressive.
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Nov 3, 2012 16:30
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I have a problem regarding passports I hope someone might be able to help with. My cousin just recently found out he is in the finals of a photography contest and he is being flown to paris for the end of it later this month. He was supposed to take his fiancee with him. They applied for passports but they told her they needed originals to get the passports. Well all her originals were destroyed in a basement flood a while back and she was born in NYC so you can imagine she isnt going to be able to get new ones any time soon. She has copies but was told that snt sufficient? Is there anything they can do to get around this? Obviously they are pretty upset and on top of that my cousin is a pretty uneasy flier to put it mildly and it would be a lot more easy for him with her there. I just found out the situation or I wouldve asked sooner. If someone could help me for this, Id really appreciate it and pay you back however I can. e: IF youd like to email me its my screen name at gmail.com
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Nov 3, 2012 17:08
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vulturesrow posted:I have a problem regarding passports I hope someone might be able to help with. My cousin just recently found out he is in the finals of a photography contest and he is being flown to paris for the end of it later this month. He was supposed to take his fiancee with him. They applied for passports but they told her they needed originals to get the passports. Well all her originals were destroyed in a basement flood a while back and she was born in NYC so you can imagine she isnt going to be able to get new ones any time soon. She has copies but was told that snt sufficient? Is there anything they can do to get around this? Obviously they are pretty upset and on top of that my cousin is a pretty uneasy flier to put it mildly and it would be a lot more easy for him with her there. I just found out the situation or I wouldve asked sooner. If someone could help me for this, Id really appreciate it and pay you back however I can. They need originals? Original what? Birth certificates? If they don't have those, do they have any of the below? Previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth Naturalization Certificate Certificate of Citizenship If they don't have those they could check the "secondary evidence of citizenship" page on travel.state.gov.
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Nov 3, 2012 17:23
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Handshake accepted - Lebanon desk next summer, baby! It'll be good to get back to DC after three tours out, plus my mother and mother-in-law are convinced that I'm safer in DC than Tripoli. (Though I think the violent crime rate is probably about the same...)
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Nov 5, 2012 19:23
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Congrats Chavi. My register positions have been steadily slipping down due to new candidates being added. Frustrating, since there is so much uncertainty about training classes.
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Nov 5, 2012 19:37
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How common is it for people to get on the register, but then have their candidacy lapse because there aren't enough openings? I can't imagine how much it would suck to start over after all that. Would I get any advantage for wanting to go to a hardship post right off the bat? Of course, this is all very premature as I still need to submit my PN's, but just curious.
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Nov 5, 2012 19:42
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It definitely happens. It sucks but it makes sense from State's perspective - they need to maintain a pool of candidates so that they can always fill any vacancies they have authority to hire for, but there is a lot of variability in the process due to the clearances and people's personal/family/work situations changing during the long process. You don't get any hiring advantage for willing to go to a hardship post, since your first post isn't decided until you're in training.
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Nov 5, 2012 19:46
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Anyone going through IFIT or FACT? I've been here for like 3 weeks and just realized there are those classes out here.
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Nov 6, 2012 00:54
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the_chavi posted:Handshake accepted - Lebanon desk next summer, baby! It'll be good to get back to DC after three tours out, plus my mother and mother-in-law are convinced that I'm safer in DC than Tripoli. (Though I think the violent crime rate is probably about the same...) Congrats. I accepted Western Europe where they drive on the wrong side of the road and drink plenty of tea. Also network, network, network. For all those new IMSs out there, talk to those that are in. Vile rat spoke so highly of me, that I could have taken his position (he wanted me to take the IMS position under him and the IMO and I continued to talk for various reasons). It's not every day that you're turning down a 1 grade upstretch in The Hague.
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Nov 6, 2012 02:14
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Ambassador e-mailed me, but they spelled my family's name wrong. orz. And yeah, network. It's key in this job. Arguably as important as your job itself. vvv- i'm cycling out.. but yeah, what up? Which branch? Skandiaavity fucked around with this message at 04:27 on Nov 6, 2012 |
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Nov 6, 2012 03:22
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Sup state thread. I just started working at the FSI doing cool nerd stuff if any of you are cycling through there and want to get wicked buzzed after work.
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Nov 6, 2012 03:30
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the_chavi posted:Handshake accepted - Lebanon desk next summer, baby! It'll be good to get back to DC after three tours out, plus my mother and mother-in-law are convinced that I'm safer in DC than Tripoli. (Though I think the violent crime rate is probably about the same...) Congrats chav -- I'm off to Ops myself. Yep.
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Nov 6, 2012 07:50
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Hey, congratulations to everybody!
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Nov 6, 2012 09:31
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psydude posted:Sup state thread. I just started working at the FSI doing cool nerd stuff if any of you are cycling through there and want to get wicked buzzed after work. Hahaha holy poo poo the circle is now complete.
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Nov 6, 2012 14:35
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Man, I miss VR.
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Nov 6, 2012 14:40
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Zoots posted:They need originals? Original what? Birth certificates? If they don't have those, do they have any of the below? Thanks for the reply and sorry for just getting back to you. They are using an expedite service so its looking a little better. Part of the issue apparently was that my cousin's fiancee changed her last to my cousin's a while back but never did so legally. As far was what originals they were looking for the big one was birth certificate but I'm not sure what else.
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Nov 6, 2012 15:00
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Business of Ferrets posted:Man, I miss VR. 
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Nov 6, 2012 15:24
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My VR memorial bracelet came in today.
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Nov 6, 2012 21:32
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Diplomaticus posted:My VR memorial bracelet came in today. Where'd you get it?
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Nov 6, 2012 21:55
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Posting from Election Night because PAS blanketed the party in free wifi. I'm sure somebody is live tweeting this thing. 
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Nov 7, 2012 00:05
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ops? nice assignment!  And yeah, plenty of live tweeters all over :| Me? it's my birthday
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Nov 7, 2012 00:36
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Skandiaavity posted:vvv- i'm cycling out.. but yeah, what up? Which branch? I'm working on the Network Infrastructure team (as a contractor).
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Nov 7, 2012 01:08
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the_chavi posted:Where'd you get it? Had it made. I'll post a link and pics when I get home.
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Nov 7, 2012 15:19
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 Got the idea from one I have from the military. I haven't taken it off for more than an hour or so at a time in 9 years (the anniversary will be Monday. Coincidentally, also my anniversary). Anyway I never knew what company made the one I had, so I just went with http://www.memorialbracelets.com/ Leif. fucked around with this message at 17:27 on Nov 7, 2012 |
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Nov 7, 2012 17:02
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I can't see the photo you linked, Diplomaticus. edit: The bracelet looks nice. I've only ever seen those for members of the military. I'm really not looking forward to the inevitable brinkmanship in Congress over the federal budget sequester. Tyro fucked around with this message at 17:32 on Nov 7, 2012 |
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Nov 7, 2012 17:17
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It's cause I did it wrong.
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Nov 7, 2012 17:27
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I've found myself seriously considering submitting an application to Diplomatic Security for a Special Agent position in the past few months. Enough so that I've been poking around for information in various places to get a better picture of what's involved. I'm fine with the job hazards, physical requirements and blessings/curses of carrying a badge, and I have a previous (lapsed now) security clearance issued by DSS (edit for clarity: Defense Security Service, not Diplomatic). What interests me most about DS is the wide variety of assignments compared to the five tracks of the Foreign Service de jure. The Foreign Service has always interested me since I graduated from college (a bit more than five years ago). I enjoy the intricacies and excitement of serving in new and/or foreign locations. I also initially entertained the idea of applying to the FBI's field agent track after I graduated, but after passing the interview I got tossed out for having a sub-3.5 GPA. I don't imagine that would be a problem now. I have a successful career now but I'd like to know what it would take to make a change like this so I could decide if it was feasible to work towards, before I make an absolute decision. From what I've managed to piece together from the State DS website, it seems that DS is part of, but distinct from, the larger organization of the Foreign Service. The application process seems to place lesser emphasis on the FSO qualifications and seems more in line with law enforcement agencies, particularly the FBI (not surprising, seeing as DS also trains at FLETC). Is this accurate to say? Would I have to pass the FSOT/submit PNs/pass orals as would any other FSO candidate? Or am I misunderstanding this somehow? Also, what kind of timeline does the process take, from initial application to first posting, if it's possible to give a typical estimate? Aside from the more or less assumable six months of DSTC/FLETC, that is. Any other advice anyone could give me would also be appreciated. edit2: Signed up for the email notification service for DSSA positions. Guess I'll find out that way. vvvv Thanks, and yeah I saw that I had missed one in March. Considering what my situation was like then, I couldn't have applied then anyway. Should I start looking next March, or does the window open at irregular intervals? Also--what did your friend do during the 1.5-2 year gap in between application and training? HiroProtagonist fucked around with this message at 02:48 on Nov 9, 2012 |
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Nov 8, 2012 17:31
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Hiro, DS hiring is incredibly competitive. If you are considering it I'd say apply at the next opportunity. They have been having one application window every 1-2 years, you missed one this spring. I had a friend who applied in 2010's hiring window and just started training a few months ago. The interview process is similar to the FBI 1811 interview process yes, but it IS a FS position and the interview process reflects that as well. It's a specialist process so it's not the FSOT/FSOA but does share some similarities with that process. (edit to correct date from 2009 to 2010) Tyro fucked around with this message at 17:57 on Nov 8, 2012 |
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Nov 8, 2012 17:55
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HiroProtagonist posted:I've found myself seriously considering submitting an application to Diplomatic Security for a Special Agent position in the past few months. Enough so that I've been poking around for information in various places to get a better picture of what's involved. I'm fine with the job hazards, physical requirements and blessings/curses of carrying a badge, and I have a previous (lapsed now) security clearance issued by DSS (edit for clarity: Defense Security Service, not Diplomatic). What interests me most about DS is the wide variety of assignments compared to the five tracks of the Foreign Service de jure. Glad you're applying! It sounds like you have already done a lot of research and made a serious effort to learn what DS does; this will help you a lot in the application/testing process. Besides myself, there are a few other DS agents participating in this thread who will probably have different responses to your questions, but here are my thoughts: DS does operate a bit differently than the rest of DoS, but we are firmly a part of it. Particularly overseas and in DC, we work very closely with our generalist and civil service counterparts. I have personally worked very closely with a few individuals in this thread in a variety of environments. Regarding the tests, there is more of an emphasis on domestic law enforcement than on FSO Generalist subject matter on the initial online written test, but there are a lot of topics that overlap. Also, during the final portion of the oral exam, one of the people sitting on your panel will be a generalist that will ask you foreign policy related questions. Here is the basic structure of the application process: Apply online and taking a short relatively easy "written test" which also includes a short essay. wait forever to hear the results and whether or not you are invited to take the oral exam. take the oral exam has a short written portion, a job skill interview, and then concludes with a hypothetical situation interview. If you pass the oral portion they have you get your medical and security clearances. Once you have both of those you get put on the register and wait for a class date wait forever and get a class date I could be mistaken on when the health/security clearance is in the above timeline. I would venture to say that the process on average takes about a year for people. I know people that got through it much quicker and some people that took much longer. It depends on a lot of things. After you get a class date and start training it goes like this: 3 weeks of FSI orientation in DC. 3-4 months (depending on time of year/holidays) of FLETC in GA 2-3 months of specialized training split between the DC area and Winchester, VA area. Hope that makes the process a little more clear. If you have more specific questions, I would be happy to answer them.
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Nov 9, 2012 06:40
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Bruxism posted:After you get a class date and start training it goes like this: Wait how much crash and bang do you get out in Winchester? Man I would kill for advanced driving courses out there (on my employer's dime). That course was so useful for navigating Istanbul traffic - the only thing I didn't have was people firing mortars at me!
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Nov 9, 2012 09:23
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100 HOGS AGREE posted:I have never had a more difficult time then I am having with these questions. Nothing I come up with seems very good or impressive. I'm having a somewhat different problem. I'm coming up with great responses, but they usually involve completely fabricated daydreams about winning Nobel prizes in physics.
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Nov 9, 2012 11:57
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Bruxism posted:Regarding the tests, there is more of an emphasis on domestic law enforcement than on FSO Generalist subject matter on the initial online written test, but there are a lot of topics that overlap. Also, during the final portion of the oral exam, one of the people sitting on your panel will be a generalist that will ask you foreign policy related questions. First, thanks for the detailed post! I appreciate it. Regarding the tests and oral exam, are the questions asked and answered more aptitude or knowledge oriented? I had taken to mean that they were primarily designed to test your logic and reasoning ability, critical thinking ability and the ability to think on your feet. If the tests and oral exam require specific knowledge of the subject matter beyond basic or general knowledge, then I'll probably have to bone up for them somewhat more seriously. I know it is not required, but I have no practical experience with law enforcement; however, I do have a basic grasp of the legal process and general principles of law, thanks to having a mother who's been a lawyer for almost my entire life who also worked for the government (for whatever that's worth). All this means is that I essentially know nothing about the practical aspects of Federal law enforcement aside from what you'd hear from your cop friends, let's say. quote:Here is the basic structure of the application process: This is helpful, thanks! In your opinion, does it help to have a previously granted clearance, such as in my case, or is it a neutral factor? I was hoping that having held a clearance previously would speed along the TS SSBI process. I know it can't hurt, though. The SCI clearance probably is a whole different beast and wouldn't be impacted at all. quote:I would venture to say that the process on average takes about a year for people. I know people that got through it much quicker and some people that took much longer. It depends on a lot of things. About a year is fine. Like I said, I'm currently employed and may even take another position in the intervening time, so I'm in no hurry. quote:After you get a class date and start training it goes like this: Again, really appreciate the insights and feedback. The good news is that I live in the DC area (right on the Red line, in fact), so I won't have to do much traveling until I get accepted for training (assuming that that happens!). Can you (or anyone else) tell me some anecdotes about DSTC and/or FLETC to help me get a better picture of what it's like to attend the training? Anything from course content (beyond what's given in the description on the State website) to typical schedules, things to watch out for or things you shouldn't miss, or even just funny poo poo or awful things that happened while you were there. HiroProtagonist fucked around with this message at 15:56 on Nov 9, 2012 |
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Nov 9, 2012 15:53
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HiroProtagonist posted:In your opinion, does it help to have a previously granted clearance, such as in my case, or is it a neutral factor? I was hoping that having held a clearance previously would speed along the TS SSBI process. I know it can't hurt, though. The SCI clearance probably is a whole different beast and wouldn't be impacted at all. Doesn't speed it up at all in my experience. Maybe if it were an active State (not DOD, etc) TS it would.
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Nov 9, 2012 16:02
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Tyro posted:Doesn't speed it up at all in my experience. Maybe if it were an active State (not DOD, etc) TS it would. I suspected as much. Still, did you yourself hold an active or previous clearance when your background investigation was initiated, or is that a secondhand impression?
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Nov 9, 2012 16:08
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HiroProtagonist posted:Again, really appreciate the insights and feedback. The good news is that I live in the DC area (right on the Red line, in fact), so I won't have to do much traveling until I get accepted for training (assuming that that happens!). The prior clearance won't matter. Basically DS would rather do it over again/double check to make sure. Your prior clearance, however, may help speed things up, but you're still going through the wringer again. Also as a local hire you won't get any of the sweet per diem that everyone else will be getting at FSI. (so save up) You will get a few more days off at the end. Once you get accepted you won't travel until your FSI training is complete. (you'll also get your first post there. I believe it will be domestic) Not much can be said about DSTC/FLETC, I think. As this is a public forum and all. I'd imagine your schedule wouldn't be much different from any other job. (it won't be like Hell week/SEALs or anything)
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Nov 9, 2012 16:12
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HiroProtagonist posted:I suspected as much. Still, did you yourself hold an active or previous clearance when your background investigation was initiated, or is that a secondhand impression? Firsthand.
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Nov 9, 2012 16:44
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HiroProtagonist posted:I suspected as much. Still, did you yourself hold an active or previous clearance when your background investigation was initiated, or is that a secondhand impression? If you don't have a State clearance, it really doesn't matter.
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Nov 9, 2012 21:29
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| # ? Apr 26, 2024 06:12 |
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DS BEX in 5 days 
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Nov 9, 2012 23:21
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