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Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005
I feel sorry for the LES. How'd they ever put up with that poo poo?

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the_chavi
Mar 2, 2005

Toilet Rascal
SOCOM is preparing for a NEO (non-avian evacuation operation). Please inform all EFMs and nonessential personnel to prepare one (1) go bag and to rally at the HLZ.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.
Non essential staff have departed the country. Prepairing for eservices hazmat team to arrive. Terrorist pigeons remain firmly entrenched and attempts to enter into negotiations were rebuffed with thrown feces.

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005
Negative, RSO reports indicate that was from insurgent group Al-Gorilla?

Bruxism
Apr 29, 2009

Absolutely not anxious about anything.

Bleak Gremlin
Sorry to digress from the unfolding Pigeon Gate, but thought this might be interesting for prospective DS agents:

The training DS agents undergo for our job has recently been certified by Veteran's Affairs as a valid institution for awarding GI Bill benefits. The training usually measures out to using 7 months of your benefits, so it's a really nice chunk of change.

This is the product of a few years of lobbying done by a few of my BSAC buddies. The only drawback to that fact is that this will only cover agents who were in my BSAC class (114) and up. If you have any questions or need some diplopedia links, drop me a PM.

Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester
Wait, you have to pay for BSAC?

Vasudus
May 30, 2003
If it's being covered by the GI Bill that means you can double dip. Collect DC-area BAH (2106/mo) and collect at least 500 dollars for supplies, if not the full 1k. Useful for people who have GI Bill benefits left over (note that this applies to anyone who has at least one day of benefits left). Ends up being a cool 15k or so, for essentially nothing. I'm guessing that State has a tuition assistance program? If so, then there is literally zero reason to not do this if you can.

Except that I'm not in DS (yet) and my benefits have been exhausted :cry:

Zoots
Apr 19, 2007

No passport for you.

Vasudus posted:

I'm guessing that State has a tuition assistance program?

Yeah, State has the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP, or "slurp" for those in the know). If you're serving at a post meeting the minimum hardship/danger differential, they pay off something like five or six grand per fiscal year.

Vasudus
May 30, 2003

Zoots posted:

Yeah, State has the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP, or "slurp" for those in the know). If you're serving at a post meeting the minimum hardship/danger differential, they pay off something like five or six grand per fiscal year.

That's the same program as the DoD, actually. Different criteria for being eligible, but otherwise the same. I mean tuition assistance as in 'enroll in classes and have the gov'mint pay x dollars per credit'. DoD wide it's primarily used for undergrad, but since DoS has a vastly higher number of educated employees I would imagine it would be mostly for graduate programs.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

Vasudus posted:

That's the same program as the DoD, actually. Different criteria for being eligible, but otherwise the same. I mean tuition assistance as in 'enroll in classes and have the gov'mint pay x dollars per credit'. DoD wide it's primarily used for undergrad, but since DoS has a vastly higher number of educated employees I would imagine it would be mostly for graduate programs.

I've known a lot of people who used that program to reduce their undergrad loans.

It's actually a pretty good deal. At the hardship/danger minimums you can pay more off too...

Saho
Jun 9, 2012

Vasudus posted:

That's the same program as the DoD, actually. Different criteria for being eligible, but otherwise the same. I mean tuition assistance as in 'enroll in classes and have the gov'mint pay x dollars per credit'. DoD wide it's primarily used for undergrad, but since DoS has a vastly higher number of educated employees I would imagine it would be mostly for graduate programs.

At state it's purely a repayment program for a degree you already have. It's not structured in a way that would be very help as more of a direct payment program to encourage enrolling in classes like it sounds like the DoD program is.

the JJ
Mar 31, 2011
Sooo... I'm looking at taking the test, I've done some practice tests online as a baseline, about what kind of percentages should I be looking at for 'passing' grades?

d1rtbag
Sep 13, 2012

Eternal Man-Child

the JJ posted:

Sooo... I'm looking at taking the test, I've done some practice tests online as a baseline, about what kind of percentages should I be looking at for 'passing' grades?

Passing is based upon T-scores, so there's no good standard. However, I was scoring 80-90% and passed the October FSOT with a comfortable margin.

I would recommend practicing the hell out of the essay, getting used to working in the limited time available.

Homie S
Aug 6, 2001

This is what it means

Diplomaticus posted:

Wait, you have to pay for BSAC?


In the form of brain cells, definitely.

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

TCD posted:

I've known a lot of people who used that program to reduce their undergrad loans.

It's actually a pretty good deal. At the hardship/danger minimums you can pay more off too...

Does this apply to grad school loans? Also, if a spouse is the one who has the loan (ie my wife) and I'm employed in the FS can she apply for the reduction or is it only opened to the DoS employee?

Bruxism
Apr 29, 2009

Absolutely not anxious about anything.

Bleak Gremlin

Vasudus posted:

If it's being covered by the GI Bill that means you can double dip. Collect DC-area BAH (2106/mo) and collect at least 500 dollars for supplies, if not the full 1k. Useful for people who have GI Bill benefits left over (note that this applies to anyone who has at least one day of benefits left). Ends up being a cool 15k or so, for essentially nothing. I'm guessing that State has a tuition assistance program? If so, then there is literally zero reason to not do this if you can.

Except that I'm not in DS (yet) and my benefits have been exhausted :cry:

Right, we end up collecting bah, but I think the amount is closer to 7000.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

SCRwM posted:

Does this apply to grad school loans? Also, if a spouse is the one who has the loan (ie my wife) and I'm employed in the FS can she apply for the reduction or is it only opened to the DoS employee?

I think it only applies to the employee's loans. I thought grad school was covered but, I never used the program.

the_chavi
Mar 2, 2005

Toilet Rascal

TCD posted:

I think it only applies to the employee's loans. I thought grad school was covered but, I never used the program.

Only the employee's loans, as far as I can recall. There's a questions email address for when SLRP season rolls around, so you could ask. I think it applies to all federal loans for education, at any level...

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012
Thanks guys. I wasn't sure (my gut was only the employees loan) but at the same time, my wife wouldn't be working so "technically" it would be difficult for her to repay the loan.

the_chavi
Mar 2, 2005

Toilet Rascal

SCRwM posted:

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure (my gut was only the employees loan) but at the same time, my wife wouldn't be working so "technically" it would be difficult for her to repay the loan.

I mean it's worth asking once you're in the system - if you consolidate your loans together it may be a different answer. And while it's a nice incentive, it's by no means a make/break for joining the Department: you only get the SLRP money if you serve at a hardship post (defined here as 25% differential or higher, I believe), and it's taxable.

Abu Hans
Jun 30, 2010

Zoots posted:

Slight addendum: when I started MSA training in 2009, they were offering training in Iraqi dialect due to the need at Embassy Baghdad. YMMV now, but I believe that was an option before.

Looks like at least for language points DoS is offering them for "ARABIC (ANY VARIETY)" since that language update in Nov '12.
This puts me at ease.

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012
A few random questions on a Sunday morning:

1. I just recently started a positon with the Fed. government (GS not a contractor). Note: this position was accepted after I applied for and was invited to the OA's. If/when I get called to a class, does the DoS HR depart take a look at my current GS pay and step and attempt to match it/come close (even if it is higher than the base salary for IMS? Also, will anything I contribute to TSP and FERS (I'm guessing DoS uses those same retirement plans) be carried forward to DoS? Same with any vacation and sick leave I would have accrued? The salary isn't a deal breaker but the retirement/vacation/sick leave would be something nice to carry forward.

2. I know some of you mentioned taking a tv with you to post. Do you guys plug the tv in to a power inverter in order to change the current, or do you use one of those travel power adapters?

3. For banking, do most people use the DoS Credit Union or do you use your own bank? We utilize USAA and a local bank, but I was reading the DoS CU's site last night, and they seemed to be more geared and prepared for people in the foreign service (ex: they had sections on how to prepare for going overseas, they offered a credit card that had chip and pin on it, etc).

4. I had read somewhere that DoS prefers to use US flagged airlines (United, AA, Delta, USAir) and they will book you on the carrier of choice when issuing travel orders. I have quite a few AA miles so I'd like to fly with them in order to continue to accrue miles (if possible).

5. Back to credit cards, has anyone had problems using a cc overseas? For those in Europe, do you have to use a chip and pin card (other than DoS CU, I've only seen a few banks/cards that offer this technology in the US) or have you been able to use a card that you would normally use stateside?

the_chavi
Mar 2, 2005

Toilet Rascal
Can't answer everything, but I'll take on a few.

SCRwM posted:

3. For banking, do most people use the DoS Credit Union or do you use your own bank? We utilize USAA and a local bank, but I was reading the DoS CU's site last night, and they seemed to be more geared and prepared for people in the foreign service (ex: they had sections on how to prepare for going overseas, they offered a credit card that had chip and pin on it, etc).

4. I had read somewhere that DoS prefers to use US flagged airlines (United, AA, Delta, USAir) and they will book you on the carrier of choice when issuing travel orders. I have quite a few AA miles so I'd like to fly with them in order to continue to accrue miles (if possible).

5. Back to credit cards, has anyone had problems using a cc overseas? For those in Europe, do you have to use a chip and pin card (other than DoS CU, I've only seen a few banks/cards that offer this technology in the US) or have you been able to use a card that you would normally use stateside?

3. I think it's a mix of the credit union and USAA. I personally use USAA for all banking and insurance, but YMMV. Either (and both) is available to us.

4. Prefers isn't the right word, it's requires under the provisions of the Fly America Act, which mandates using a US flagged carrier in most situations. For most places I've served (Middle East) I've been able to keep my miles on United/Lufthansa/Star Alliance, so I've been happy. If you're travelling to a smaller destination, such as a tiny country in West Africa, there may only be one airline option that is approved for you to take on USG travel orders. For common routes (especially domestically) there are contract air carriers that you must use unless there are extenuating circumstances. For example, Dallas - National Airport is AA, and the only way I got around it in September was that AA pilots were striking and I had to arrive in DC at a certain time, so I flew United via Houston.

5. Depends on the bank you use and where you're serving. In my previous post, you had to open up a local bank account to process VAT refunds, and through that account you got a chipped credit card that you could use easily. In my current post (Libya), international finance hasn't really adjusted to the lifting of sanctions, so credit cards can be used in literally three places nationwide. If I try to buy something on a US website from a Libyan IP address, oftentimes my order will be refused because the site's banking system hasn't updated to allow credit card purchases from Libya.

Saho
Jun 9, 2012

SCRwM posted:

A few random questions on a Sunday morning:

1. I just recently started a positon with the Fed. government (GS not a contractor). Note: this position was accepted after I applied for and was invited to the OA's. If/when I get called to a class, does the DoS HR depart take a look at my current GS pay and step and attempt to match it/come close (even if it is higher than the base salary for IMS? Also, will anything I contribute to TSP and FERS (I'm guessing DoS uses those same retirement plans) be carried forward to DoS? Same with any vacation and sick leave I would have accrued? The salary isn't a deal breaker but the retirement/vacation/sick leave would be something nice to carry forward.

Matching can get tricky. I believe for specialists coming directly from a GS job they will attempt to match it up to the highest step of whatever the entry level grade is for that position. So, for IMS the max you could ever get coming in is grade 5, step 14.

TSP and FERS works the same for state, and whatever you've put in will just transfer. I believe it's the same with your sick and vacation leave but I'm not 100% positive on that one. I do know any other government time you have will be counted for purposes of retirement and vacation accrual computations.

SCRwM posted:


2. I know some of you mentioned taking a tv with you to post. Do you guys plug the tv in to a power inverter in order to change the current, or do you use one of those travel power adapters?


Most posts provide some step down transformers as part of the housing. If not or they didn't provide enough, you'd likely need something a little more beefy than the travel power adapters. I don't think those guys aren't really designed to constantly convert a load as large as a television.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

SCRwM posted:

A few random questions on a Sunday morning:

1. I just recently started a positon with the Fed. government (GS not a contractor). Note: this position was accepted after I applied for and was invited to the OA's. If/when I get called to a class, does the DoS HR depart take a look at my current GS pay and step and attempt to match it/come close (even if it is higher than the base salary for IMS? Also, will anything I contribute to TSP and FERS (I'm guessing DoS uses those same retirement plans) be carried forward to DoS? Same with any vacation and sick leave I would have accrued? The salary isn't a deal breaker but the retirement/vacation/sick leave would be something nice to carry forward.

2. I know some of you mentioned taking a tv with you to post. Do you guys plug the tv in to a power inverter in order to change the current, or do you use one of those travel power adapters?

3. For banking, do most people use the DoS Credit Union or do you use your own bank? We utilize USAA and a local bank, but I was reading the DoS CU's site last night, and they seemed to be more geared and prepared for people in the foreign service (ex: they had sections on how to prepare for going overseas, they offered a credit card that had chip and pin on it, etc).

4. I had read somewhere that DoS prefers to use US flagged airlines (United, AA, Delta, USAir) and they will book you on the carrier of choice when issuing travel orders. I have quite a few AA miles so I'd like to fly with them in order to continue to accrue miles (if possible).

5. Back to credit cards, has anyone had problems using a cc overseas? For those in Europe, do you have to use a chip and pin card (other than DoS CU, I've only seen a few banks/cards that offer this technology in the US) or have you been able to use a card that you would normally use stateside?
1. HR should work with you on this. You'll probably get grade 5 step 14. TSP, leave, etc. should all carry over. FS is in a subset retirement system (FSPS), and I think FERS transfers. Look here for more info: http://www.rnet.state.gov/index.cfm?pg=cri&sys=2

2. You're an IT guy, you should know this question!!! Travel adapters usually do not do step up/down power conversion. You'll want a power transformer. Most USG housing will have a few. I've purchased my own too. We also try to buy a lot of 110-250v products, however, things with heating elements are generally 110 or 220 (hair dryers, coffee pots, mixers, food processors, laser printers, loving XBOX 360 POWERSUPPLY, etc.). Most AC->DC adapters are actually universal and will just need a plug adapter.

3. I use USAA. People generally use USAA or SDFCU. I don't have a credit card with a chip, and have not had a problem here in South America. It will occasionally be blocked for fraud, and then you just call via VOIP and that resolves all problems. In Rwanda, I used my credit card only at major hotels. Otherwise it was cash only.

4. Fly America act and GSA city pairs have a big determination on your travel. However, there will be some places that won't have any of those, and then you just choose your travel.

Business of Ferrets
Mar 2, 2008

Good to see that everything is back to normal.

Saho posted:


TSP and FERS works the same for state, and whatever you've put in will just transfer. I believe it's the same with your sick and vacation leave but I'm not 100% positive on that one. I do know any other government time you have will be counted for purposes of retirement and vacation accrual computations.


Do note that the Foreign Service is on the FSPS, not FERS. There is probably some sort of buy-in process. Don't worry; FSPS is a better deal.

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005
I'll have a go.

#2 - depends on post. Some of your living quarters may be adjusted to 110 V. in that case nothing is needed. Basically, once you find out your assignment you will find out more info on what you need to bring. Don't worry about it until you get your list, at least.

#5 - I did. Basically, inform the company you're going overseas and your job. if you get an rear end in a top hat security guy (like I did), just write the bank a stern letter and it'll be resolved (usually).

problematique
Apr 3, 2008

What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it.

Business of Ferrets posted:

Do note that the Foreign Service is on the FSPS, not FERS. There is probably some sort of buy-in process. Don't worry; FSPS is a better deal.

How is it a better deal? I noticed its a higher high-3 percentage (1.7% per year of high-3 vs 1.1 in FERS) but that you pay in a higher amount (1.3% of salary in FSPS vs .7). Another big difference is that you can retire at 50 in FSPS vs 60 with FERS. Your probably right but actuarially, I'm curious which one looks better.

As for question #2, I'm in the same boat as you (GS) and wanted to add that if you work in the DC metro area under GS they will use your total pay including DC locality for pay conversion factors. Anywhere else it's just base pay. For me, that does make a difference to push out the steps.

The only question I've never gotten an answer from State is if (this is you and me) you're being converted from GS to FS, do you get matched to FS base pay, FS w/ DC locality pay or FS w/ overseas locality pay for the purposes of determine grade/step.

problematique fucked around with this message at 17:08 on Feb 17, 2013

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

problematique posted:


As for question #2, I'm in the same boat as you (GS) and wanted to add that if you work in the DC metro area under GS they will use your total pay including DC locality for pay conversion factors. Anywhere else it's just base pay. For me, that does make a difference to push out the steps.

Interesting that if you are not in the DC metro area you won't get your locality pay thrown in. Maybe it's because you don't get per diem for specialist class?

TCD posted:


2. You're an IT guy, you should know this question!!! Travel adapters usually do not do step up/down power conversion. You'll want a power transformer. Most USG housing will have a few. I've purchased my own too. We also try to buy a lot of 110-250v products, however, things with heating elements are generally 110 or 220 (hair dryers, coffee pots, mixers, food processors, laser printers, loving XBOX 360 POWERSUPPLY, etc.). Most AC->DC adapters are actually universal and will just need a plug adapter.

::hangs head in shame:::

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005

problematique posted:

The only question I've never gotten an answer from State is if (this is you and me) you're being converted from GS to FS, do you get matched to FS base pay, FS w/ DC locality pay or FS w/ overseas locality pay for the purposes of determine grade/step.

Speaking from experience: Local Hires get screwed. Sorry. The oakwood isn't bad and they have reduced rates for you, though. If you're in DC, you'll get matching base (i.e. FS-05, max step 14) and that's all. You only get DC w/ locality if you're stationed in DC. or have further training (i.e. S/AC). As an IMS you probably won't be. Overseas locality will start when you arrive at post, not when you get the assignment.

Everyone else (+50 mile radius from DC) will get the base, and then the the oakwood / per diem thrown in (you do get it for specialist classes FYI), and it's rated like 80/60/20% over the months you are there. The free!/reduced!-rent-at-oakwood thing is the main icebreaker because DC rent prices are absurdly high.

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

Skandiaavity posted:

Speaking from experience: Local Hires get screwed. Sorry. The oakwood isn't bad and they have reduced rates for you, though. If you're in DC, you'll get matching base (i.e. FS-05, max step 14) and that's all. You only get DC w/ locality if you're stationed in DC. or have further training (i.e. S/AC). As an IMS you probably won't be. Overseas locality will start when you arrive at post, not when you get the assignment.

Everyone else (+50 mile radius from DC) will get the base, and then the the oakwood / per diem thrown in (you do get it for specialist classes FYI), and it's rated like 80/60/20% over the months you are there. The free!/reduced!-rent-at-oakwood thing is the main icebreaker because DC rent prices are absurdly high.

Just for my own clarification, when you are in Specialist Training (roughly 4 months?) and you are staying at the Oakwood, does the housing per diem start kicking in? So at day 61 would I get a bill from Oakwood for the difference? Or if you stay at the Oakwood during assigned training you are fully covered?

I fully get the M/IE per diem gradually being reduced during training.

1of7
Jan 30, 2011

SCRwM posted:

Just for my own clarification, when you are in Specialist Training (roughly 4 months?) and you are staying at the Oakwood, does the housing per diem start kicking in? So at day 61 would I get a bill from Oakwood for the difference? Or if you stay at the Oakwood during assigned training you are fully covered?

I fully get the M/IE per diem gradually being reduced during training.

Oakwood does direct billing with State and adjust your rates down to match your per diem and you pay nothing for the duration of your stay. My orientation & IMS training lasted about 6 months and I never paid anything.

problematique
Apr 3, 2008

What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it.

Skandiaavity posted:

Speaking from experience: Local Hires get screwed. Sorry. The oakwood isn't bad and they have reduced rates for you, though. If you're in DC, you'll get matching base (i.e. FS-05, max step 14) and that's all. You only get DC w/ locality if you're stationed in DC. or have further training (i.e. S/AC). As an IMS you probably won't be. Overseas locality will start when you arrive at post, not when you get the assignment.

Everyone else (+50 mile radius from DC) will get the base, and then the the oakwood / per diem thrown in (you do get it for specialist classes FYI), and it's rated like 80/60/20% over the months you are there. The free!/reduced!-rent-at-oakwood thing is the main icebreaker because DC rent prices are absurdly high.

Thankfully, I have family/friends in the area so I'll only be "losing" per diem.

It still seems to me that DC based GS employees don't have it that bad. I think the whole thing sorta break even and makes sense. For example, as a DC GS-11 I'd transfer over to FP-05/14 which is $20k/year more a year than a FP-05/01. Assuming someone comes in from private sector or a non-DC GS-11 they're making $13-$15k/year less. At six months of per diem ($13k) that's break even difference between the two.

Now, someone else not in my position, local to DC, will be paying crazy DC rents for those six months and would end up with a lot less. However, you can then factor in the compounding increase in steps (i.e after 18 months the ex-DC GS employee is something like 2-3 steps higher) and so the entire thing evens out.

I've spent WAY to much time writing about this :downswords:

On another note do any of you use talesmag.com? It seems like 90% of the post reviews are FS folk lamenting/lauding where they are. Did any of you write this delightful post about Turkmenistan?

quote:


http://www.talesmag.com/rprweb/the_rprs/europe/turkmenistan.shtml

January 2013

(The contributor was affiliated with the U.S. Embassy and lived in Ashgabat for two years, from 2011 to 2013, a second expat experience.)

Where is your home base, and how long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? Florida. Approximately 31 hours including the layovers with mulitple stops.

What are the special advantages of living in this city/country? There are no special advantages to living in Turkmenistan other than you can buy cheap Turkmen rugs.

What have been some of the highlights of your time in this city/country? None! There is nothing to do after you have spent the first week looking at monuments, carpets, ruins, etc. Yes, you can travel out of country, but Thailand is 7.5 hours away, and dealing with the KGB --- who trash your luggage and go through all your stuff everytime you fly in and out --- makes it not worthwhile.

What is the air quality like? Pollution, pollution, pollution. One sinus problem after another.

What is the climate like? Weather patterns? Hot in the summer (130 degrees F); cold in the winter (-10 to -20).

What kind of insect problems are there, if any? Ants infested the housing compound. There was a rat problem on the housing compound. And dont forget about the cobras that are everywhere.

Are there any special security concerns? Absolutely. Turkmenistan is located between Iran and Afghanistan. Read between the lines! Also, crime statistics are a state secret, but there is plenty of crime, ranging from murders to pickpockets. There were also rumors about kidnappings of kids for their internal organs, since the black market pays a very good price and most citizens are poor and without work. The government wouldn’t confirm this story, but embassy personnel claimed it was true. AIDS is also rampant in Turkmenistan due to prostitution, high drug usage, and the sharing of needles.

Housing types, locations, commute time? If you work at the U.S. Embassy, you are located either on the housing compound, in a 1970’s style townhouse, or you are in town in a white marble apartment building. I can’t speak for the townhouses, but the apartment buildings are horrible. The central air conditioning is only turned on after June 1st (and by this time it’s over 100 degrees outside), and the heat is turned on starting November 1st. You cannot control the heat or air conditioning. The apartments are literally leaning, as they were not build to support the heavy marble that the president ordered to be placed on every apartment building. Traffic is terrible unless you want to leave your apartment before 6:30 a.m. God forbid that the president is driving anywhere in the city at the same time you are, because the police will literally close every road and leave you sitting in traffic for an hour or more. If not for the traffic, it would only take you approximately 10 minutes to get to the embassy.

International schools: We did not have any children in school at the time.

Preschool/daycare available: Nannies are available, but dont use the embassy pool, as they are overpriced and will demand more money every few months and more days off. Find your own and you will pay alot less and get more work for your dollar.

What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids? None

Is this a good city for families/singles/couples? No/Maybe/No. Single men will have a good time, as there are plenty of young beautiful women who are looking to marry a westerner and get a better life in the U.S. Families will find it very hard there, and couples will be bored to tears!

From what you have heard, is it a good city for gay or lesbian expats? Absolutely not. Homosexuality is forbidden in Turkmenistan.

Are there problems with racial, religious or gender prejudices? Yes! Unless you are Muslim.

What difficulties would someone with physical disabilities have living in this city? The city is not equipped to accommodate people with physical disabilities.

Interesting/fun things to do in the area: Once again, there is nothing to do after you have spent the first week looking at monuments, carpets, and ruins. There are no movie theaters, malls, shopping centers, ski slopes, golf courses, etc. in Turkmenistan. You can exercise and drink. That about covers it.

Are gyms or workout facilities available? There are several gyms, but be prepared to work out in a place that is left over from the Soviet cold war.

Are sports programs available for kids? The school has very limited programs.

What fast food and decent restaurants are available? Cost range? Fast food? There isn't one fast food restaurant in the entire country! There are a couple of Turkish-style restaurants (if you can call them that) and lots of small cafes that serve shashlik.

What is the availability (and the relative cost) of groceries and household supplies? Just open-market shopping. The rest has to be shipped in via amazon.com. Oh, and the COLA doesn’t even come close to covering your expenses. Forget buying pork, and expect to get served camel meat when they tell you it is beef. No words can express the anger you will feel when you try to find decent meat without maggots and that hasn’t been mixed with some other type of meat. Keep your eyes on the vendor, too. They will put rotten vegetables in your bag (when you aren’t looking) mixed with fresh vegetables. You won’t find out that half of your vegetables are rotten until you get home.

What comments can you make about using credit cards and ATMs? There are no ATMs in the whole bloody country. It's a cash-only society.

What type of automobile is suitable to bring (or not to bring) because of rugged terrain, lack of parts and service, local restrictions, duties, carjackings, etc? Bring something you don’t care about if it gets scratched, damaged, dinged, or wrecked. The Turkmen are probably the worst drivers in the world. They are aggressive and have no regard for the rules of the road (not that there are any rules of the road in Turkmenistan). A 4x4 is preferred since the roads are terrible.

Are local trains, buses, and taxis safe? Affordable? There is no public transportation unless you want to get robbed or pickpocketed.

Do you have any recommendations regarding cell phones? They are horrible. There are only two companies in Turkmenistan, and they both dont work half the time. There is no voicemail, and expect the towers to be overloaded 23 hours out of the day.

How do you get and send your letters and package mail? Pouch only. No UPS, DHL, FEDEX, APO.

Items you would ship to this post if you could do it again? I would have shipped everything the CLO told me not to bring and left everything she told me to bring. Sometimes I wonder what planet she was from. My 2500-pound consumable shipment only lasted about 8 months. Yes, it’s that bad over there.

Availability and cost of domestic help: If you dont use the emabssy's domestic help pool, you can get full time domestic help for $200 USD a month.

How much of the local language do you need to know for daily living? if you dont speak Russian or Turkmen, forget about it.

English-language religious services available? Denominations? None that I'm aware of.

English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost? AFN only for TV.

Is high-speed internet access available? Cost? 70 USD a month for the slowest internet you will ever find. you cant even watch a YouTube video!

Size of expat community: Too small.

Morale among expats: Low, almost non-existent. If anyone tells you different, they are lying to you or trying to get you to bid on that god-forsaken place so they can laugh at you later.

Are there decent job opportunities for expats on the local economy? No!

Entertaining/social life: This is a closed society, and they dont care for westerners.

Dress code at work and in public: formal usually.

Any health concerns? What is the quality of medical care available? None! If you get hurt and a Band-aid won’t fix it, prepare to be evacuated.

Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)? None!

Do incoming pets need to be quarantined? No.

You can leave behind your: expectations of this country being anything short of a maximum security prison . If you look at it like you are serving a prison term with hard labor, than you won’t be disappointed. All anyone did after the first day they arrived was count the days until their release. You had better have your head screwed on right before going to this place. If you don’t keep your mind right, this place will get the better of you.

But don't forget your: wine, x-box, dvd player and dvds, a calender to track the days until you depart, and your mental mind set.

Can you save money? Maybe, if you don’t spend it all on carpets, amazon.com orders, or alcohol!

What unique local items can you spend it on? carpets, carpets, and carpets.

Knowing what you now know, would you still go there? Not on your life! I'd rather slam my head in a sliding glass door than to go back there.

Recommended books related to this city (title, author): Dont know of any.

Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRvqKSqUtI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIKFXo8VHPw&feature=relmfu

Any other comments: If you like pain, do yourself a favor and get a root canal. It will hurt a lot less than 2 years in Turkmenistan. I dont know what post the last person who filled out this survey was at, but it surely wasn't in Turkmenistan!

1of7
Jan 30, 2011
I checked talesmag when bidding just to get some idea of the posts I'm considering. I think you have to take all of them with a grain of salt as some people will complain about anything and others may gloss over and minimize (or omit) what might be a legitimate concern for you.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

1of7 posted:

I checked talesmag when bidding just to get some idea of the posts I'm considering. I think you have to take all of them with a grain of salt as some people will complain about anything and others may gloss over and minimize (or omit) what might be a legitimate concern for you.

That's pretty good advice overall. Also, it's funny the way this lifestyle works is that 1 year in during a 2 year tour, you already know your onward assignment. It's easy to become bitter and only focus on the negatives. There's other post reviews as well, and I read them to get an overall understanding. If you read talesmag and the other post reviews, and housing comes up as a repeated issue, then there might actually be a housing problem. E: Also, my experience has been that every housing pool has a couple of turds (the building, the unit, the location, etc.) and sometimes you get the short straw. Also, conditions in developing countries can drastically change (one way or the other) in short as 1 year - so what somebody may have been saying about getting lovely meat in 2010 may have actually been greatly improved by 2013 (or that FSO didn't shop at the right butcher, etc.)

TCD fucked around with this message at 16:02 on Feb 18, 2013

Miscreant Fromage
May 2, 2003

I also recently started a federal job even though I was on the register. I accepted the federal job back in September but they took forever with clearances. I was still in the clearance process with FS at the time and my medical wasn't looking good. I finally started with the feds in January and BAM last week I get called from the register. I hadn't expected it to happen until fall. I came in at a low salary with the fed job because I was just trying to get any federal job on post near home. When the DOS did my salary they gave me a step for my BA, a step for my MS, then I think a step for every year of related experience so I ended up maxing out at step 14. And we get that overseas addition of 16% which isn't too far from the DC locality pay (which is I thnk 19%?) so not bad at all. Of course I don't have to cope with DC rent since we live in military housing so that makes a huge difference. I had anticipated them just matching my federal salary. So I'm getting a lot more than what I make now. I feel like a total jerk though because I'm gonna have to tell my awesome boss here that I'm leaving so soon.

I got my packet yesterday, the big huge folder with all the stuff in it. Was hoping some of the wise folks here could answer a question: I'm a local hire, so I don't need to arrange pack out till I know where I'm going, right? Especially since my husband will be stuck here (and possibly my son depending on where I end up going). So I'd just probably be taking some dishes and kitchen stuff, linens, clothing, DVDs, that kind of stuff.

Also I can't seem to find the info but I thought somewhere in here someone had said that as a local hire you don't qualify for the public transportation subsidy, but I thought that was something all federal employees got. Can anyone clarify? I'm gonna be doing Marc then Metro to get to FSI.

The packet was kind of funny, there was the letters and pages of policies, a big booklet on moving and one on federal benefits and some handy stuff like the shuttle schedule and pocket metro guide then it was like they just threw a couple random tourist brochures in there, one of the National Aquarium and one for Luray Caverns. Just seemed like such random selections.

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005

Miscreant Fromage posted:

Also I can't seem to find the info but I thought somewhere in here someone had said that as a local hire you don't qualify for the public transportation subsidy, but I thought that was something all federal employees got. Can anyone clarify? I'm gonna be doing Marc then Metro to get to FSI.

1st, congratulations! :D

Welcome packet is SOP and not different for local hires.

You don't have to worry about packout until you get your bid list (which will be about either a few weeks or a month or so.

FWIW as a local hire: if you're more than 50 miles away, bloody take the per diem & oakwood. If you're taking the MARC, it sounds like you're qualified for it. Your schedule is going to be crammed and DC traffic (foot, metro or vehicular) is 99 problems you don't want during orientation. You'll be getting up pretty early already, but if you're taking the MARC then metro, then shuttle, to FSI.... FWIW some stuff requires you to be there by ~0700 sharp or such; the shuttle will not run that early and you're expected to take a cab to 23rd & C or other places.

I say that because you won't get any per diem if you don't take the offer. That includes public transportation. (as a matter of fact, even if you take per diem, you still don't get the P.T. - you're expected to take a cab (which they reimburse later) or make the shuttle. If you miss either, it's on you.

Miscreant Fromage
May 2, 2003

I'm like 15 miles shy of qualifying for per diem. The Marc station is right down the street (like 5 minutes) and only a half hour ride to Union station, so time wise, it'll be about the same as driving when traffic is considered and it'll be way cheaper than paying for gas. On days that I have to be there earlier I can drive. It's 45 minutes without traffic, about an hour on MARC/Metro. I hate hate hate driving. 295 is already backed up by like 6:30 am.

Edit: know what sucks? My commute right now is 6 minutes if I don't have to drop my kid off at daycare. If it wasn't so drat could I would walk to work. Dropping off the kid adds about 10-15 minutes. I'm gonna miss this commute.

Miscreant Fromage fucked around with this message at 14:15 on Feb 19, 2013

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

Miscreant Fromage posted:

I'm like 15 miles shy of qualifying for per diem. The Marc station is right down the street (like 5 minutes) and only a half hour ride to Union station, so time wise, it'll be about the same as driving when traffic is considered and it'll be way cheaper than paying for gas. On days that I have to be there earlier I can drive. It's 45 minutes without traffic, about an hour on MARC/Metro. I hate hate hate driving. 295 is already backed up by like 6:30 am.

Edit: know what sucks? My commute right now is 6 minutes if I don't have to drop my kid off at daycare. If it wasn't so drat could I would walk to work. Dropping off the kid adds about 10-15 minutes. I'm gonna miss this commute.

My last two posts have both had 5-10 minute commutes.

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Miscreant Fromage
May 2, 2003

TCD posted:

My last two posts have both had 5-10 minute commutes.

Honestly that is probably going to be the first thing I look at when bidding. That rocks. I've read on some of the Real Post reports that when you have kids you're sometimes stuck with a long commute because you have to leave near the schools or whatever.

Edit: FYI State Dept posted on their forums that flag day for the March A-100 is Friday April 26th and for the specialist class is Tuesday April 9th.

Miscreant Fromage fucked around with this message at 18:35 on Feb 19, 2013

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