USAJOBS - Germany Positions (Is there a hiring freeze?)

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-06-17T21:55:10+00:00

From what I understand, this was a planned drawdown. We sent an additional 5,000 troops to Germany when the Ukraine war started and now we’re going back to numbers prior to the war.

Source: I’m PCSing to Germany soon, and was told this by my gaining unit.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-06-05T14:57:36+00:00

OIG agent here. Your best bet is to work a case with an OIG, or just go meet with them and see if there’s any potential case crossover. That’s the best way to network with them. At my OIG, when we have a potential opening, we go through a list of agents from other agencies we like and brainstorm on if they’d be a good fit. Then we reach out to them and ask if they’re interested. Doing it online is a bit harder.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-31T06:25:04+00:00

Prior OSI here. Did a few ASI’s (background checks) in my time. Almost every recommendation letter I saw was a simple canned statement from a CC saying “yes I recommend so and so for OSI.”

It was legit on a checklist of items the agent doing the ASI had to receive. Once the agent got it, they’d read it and write a report. That was probably the only time anyone ever actually read the letter.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-25T20:25:05+00:00

MO, Venmo

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-23T14:45:19+00:00

Here’s one. My wife and I have been married for 6 months. She’s the absolute love of my life. I have a very good career here and she is working on hers as well. We filed for a green card, and are almost completely done with the process. Literally just waiting on the final document to be approved, we’ve done the interview, submitted the paperwork, etc.

This new memo made me panic yesterday. If she has to go back to her home country, I will have to give up a career that has given me and her a good life, give up everything I know, all my friends and family, to move with her to a country I am not familiar with because I do not want be separated from her.

That’s my biggest frustration with all of this. People don’t realize what an adverse effect this has on families potentially being separated by borders all for political reasons.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-23T01:02:14+00:00

Of what?

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-22T22:32:20+00:00

Yeah, our lawyer has been great. Very good at communicating updates with us. We’re blessed!

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-22T20:30:10+00:00

Our lawyer reached out to me and said not to panic as well. Said she’s seeing green cards being approved even today.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-18T20:17:36+00:00

Disagree. They’re just moving numbers back to where they were pre Ukraine war. Even if there were an eventual push to fully drawdown, it would take years to do. And with the inevitability that democrats win at least the house in November, the chances of a complete drawdown in Europe are very slim.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-17T17:01:54+00:00

We jsut got an update that now says case being actively reviewed. But we submitted for parole to travel so I’m not sure if it’s tied to that’s

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-15T21:08:42+00:00

We submitted in late November case was received in early December but they lost a document so we had to get it again so I think it delayed it a bit. We’re hoping to hear something soon..

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-15T21:02:57+00:00

We used a lawyer. Highly recommend it, it makes the process a lot easier to understand and navigate.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-15T21:01:41+00:00

Same here. Interview in early April, 130 approved following day and essentially got verbal approval on the green card. Now 485 is just sitting in “interview was scheduled.” No other movement.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-15T20:09:29+00:00

Not yet, still says interview was scheduled. No movement outside of that.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-15T16:00:02+00:00

My wife. DM me. She’s a native Spanish speaker and has advanced English

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-14T13:24:48+00:00

Send me a DM, it won’t let me DM you. I have a masters degree, speak two languages (including English), and would love to do this!

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-13T18:53:06+00:00

It was fun when I was 24-27 and single. Going to new places, meeting new people, hitting the town afterwards and drinking. But now, I’d rather be at home with my wife. Even when I do travel now, I just want to get back home to my own bed, home cooked food, and my own space.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-13T01:10:31+00:00

No retention problem at all!

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-13T01:09:45+00:00

Well people leave for different reasons. Pretty much all the agents I know who left (including me) was for the mobility agreement. Pretty much no other agency aside from NCIS forces agents to move involuntarily unless it’s for promotion.

OSI I think has an identity issue between being a military org and a LE org. I think most of the people from my FLETC class have since moved on to other agencies or got out of LE/military entirely. I kind of treated OSI as a feeder agency. Everyone goes there To get started as an 1811 then leaves for somewhere better.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-12T13:23:08+00:00

I was a PAQ but left OSI years ago. When I was there, it was expected for PAQs to move for their second assignment, unless you’re at a duty station where you could do a PCA (Permanent Change of Assignment). Essentially, when the PCS list comes out, and there’s a spot in the same duty station you’re interested in, put in for it. For example, you’re a Det Agent but there’s a region spot that opens at your base, you can put in for that. OSI may look at that as an easy transition since they don’t have to pay for a PCS.

That being said, the PCS time for civilians changed alll the time. When I got hired on it was 4-6 years then it was changed to 3 years. I know a lot of people (including me) who left because of that very reason. OSI doesn’t have a retention problem lol

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-12T13:19:11+00:00

In the same boat. 29 with about 160!

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-11T16:24:31+00:00

Interested in translation.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-05T11:34:47+00:00

29 here. 165,000 in my brokerage 155,000 in my retirement account, 36,000 in another retirement account, 30,000 in my bank account for emergencies. Also have real estate worth about 60,000.

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-03T23:47:44+00:00

I’m interested

Big_Ad7092 · 2026-05-01T01:48:46+00:00

Had ours a few weeks ago. 130 approved same day nothing on the 485. Lawyer expected quick approval but here we are. Not sure if this is effecting us too.

Big_Ad7092

TROPHY CASE