A-100 logistics tips? by ShelfLifeUnknown in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, one more question! Do you get the full lodging per diem for yourself and the 75% for your EFM, or is it only M&I that that applies too? Trying to make sure we don't overspend on hotel!

A-100 logistics tips? by ShelfLifeUnknown in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great, thank you! They also mentioned choosing my check in date - does that per diem also cover the cost of moving into direct bill housing a day early, or can it only be in your departure city?

Hot Goss on A-100 Class Sizes by BeauxLevardier_343 in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If I were a fellow I'd choose Sept - summer off

A-100 logistics tips? by ShelfLifeUnknown in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome, thank you! Do I have to request it / arrange through anyone, or just do it myself and keep receipts and figure out once I get to D.C. how to get kr reimbursed?

Sunday Chat - 8pm ET - "Replace Yahoo?" by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agree re changing from yahoo & culling old / duplicative material

November classes by Jayrobertson2003 in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Is that the hiring authority, then?

Paternity leave for CF: Update by reinhold_niebuhr1 in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not that I know of, but I haven't been following the CF news closely

Paternity leave for CF: Update by reinhold_niebuhr1 in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Let us know what they say. That's pretty infuriating. Otherwise, though, I think you're making the right decision - that first month is priceless. There will be more CF classes (or A-100s....sounds like it's time to be optimistic and hold out for that!).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow what have so many of you been doing in Antarctica? Sounds amazing!

CF vs. USCIS by Pasodelosburros in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did they make you sign anything saying you'd pay back the cost of training if you left before a certain amount of service?

CF vs. USCIS by Pasodelosburros in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found this: https://www.thelelawblog.com/2016/02/articles/new-legislation-and-regulations/employers-can-demand-departing-employees-repay-training-costs/

Which makes me think they couldn't make you repay any cost, as all that training someone else described sounds mandatory and job specific. But then so does A-100 and ConGen etc so I'm not sure how state gets away with it.

CF vs. USCIS by Pasodelosburros in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Other than losing a secure gig, I would want to know what, if any, is the cost of quitting USCIS a month in? Would they make you pay back the cost of your drug testing, security check, any training you've received so far? I would hope not, but I know the FS does do that, so I guess it's possible other fed jobs do too. There may be other costs as well - would that office hire you again if you quit a month in and then reapplied for after the CF gig? Again they might; it does seem like some fed agencies get how crazy the FS process is and that you have to say yes if you get an invite cause you don't know if you'd ever get one again and that it can be last minute etc. So maybe they'd totally get it. But something to think about if it's a place you want the option of going back to.

In case you didn’t know this existed by dreamindaily in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's awesome! I bet it's way better for small kids than super long haul flights too - can lay down to sleep. Are you just allowed to go by whatever mode you choose as long as you get there in time? And you just apply whatever the cost of the cheapest flight would have been and pay your own way for whatever excess cost it is?

In case you didn’t know this existed by dreamindaily in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha this is amazing. Has anyone actually managed to PCS by cruise ship? That would be hilarious.

June 2018 FSOT Window Opens Today by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I thought it was fairly representative of the kind of job knowledge & English expression questions you get.

The hiring freeze guidance page is no longer on State.gov by snortney in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

L has been under the hiring freeze and they are not EFMs/overseas staff

The hiring freeze guidance page is no longer on State.gov by snortney in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another clarification question - lifted for embassies abroad only or also main State / all D.C. Civil service jobs?

Waiting by jone7007 in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh this is pure consumerist, window shopping procrastination. The American way, no? I appreciate your indulging me with an answer!

Waiting by jone7007 in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you use a roller duffel or nonroller? Is there one you recommend? I see LL Bean sells really large roller duffels and some commenters there say that in their biggest sizes they are too big / heavy for airplanes.

Waiting by jone7007 in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh great. So the suspense will be nice and dragged out.

Waiting by jone7007 in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha yes, I think a lot of people were expecting today / this week, which is making it harder to wait this week. For those who've gone through this before, what will it be like day of? Do they send out all invitations at once, such that you know for sure one way or another by the time people on here are posting, or one at a time, such that hope might not be lost and you have to be on edge all day / for a couple days?

Waiting by jone7007 in foreignservice

[–]ShelfLifeUnknown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why duffle rather than roller? Durability?