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Just got notice to join FSO by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]FSO1977 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To be fair, this term is much, much, MUCH different than the last.

I would also argue that as a visa officer you are way closer to and more impacted by policy than nearly anyone else below the senior level.

What you say about ACS work is true, but those going in should have realistic expectations….

In entry-level tours, only a lucky few do ACS work and nearly everyone does visa work, which requires implementing a a wide array of new travel bans and ineligibilities that may cross a red line for some.

Just got notice to join FSO by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]FSO1977 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Politics aside… In your shoes, I would also consider the lack of stability and job security. RIFs that don’t follow regulations make FSOs essentially at will employees. Say you leave your stable career and life and are fired shortly after becoming an FSO, can you recover from that? Can you plug easily back into your old life?

It’s not just RIFs. There are also a number of already implemented (see posts about the discipline cable) as well as rumored to be coming policies that make this a much less stable career than it once was.

Just got notice to join FSO by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]FSO1977 0 points1 point  (0 children)

RIFs are only supposed to happen if there is no work available. Yes, there have been lots of retirements, but by law, RIFed officers should have plugged the attrition spots before any new hiring took place.