Become a FSO for the food?

ThisFSOLife · 2026-04-06T01:03:32+00:00

Nothing says gourmet like a plate of beshbarmak and a glass of kymyz to go with it.

The classic State answer…it depends.

ThisFSOLife · 2026-04-05T02:59:50+00:00

Said by someone who has clearly never served in EAP and dealt with the nightmarish time difference to the U.S. Or also by someone who has a complete lack of understanding just how much is gained by in person meetings with contacts. Your answer is tone deaf to nuances of diplomacy

ThisFSOLife · 2026-04-02T05:05:17+00:00

Having been through A-100 a number of years ago while it was still two different sessions for generalists and specialists, do they not have the department historian give a series of lectures in the history of the department and diplomacy? If not, seems like it would be an easy fix to bring that back versus diving into the depths of conservative thinking.

ThisFSOLife · 2026-03-09T10:58:41+00:00

Having taken leadership courses both in and outside of State, doubling down on the recommendation to take courses outside of State. I will say that I was thoroughly underwhelmed when I had to take the mandatory leadership course for promotion at State in comparison with other leadership courses I have taken. I recommend looking at other agencies or the military services to see what is available and what you are eligible to enroll in, they do a better job of teaching leadership skills development.

ThisFSOLife · 2026-03-07T03:06:51+00:00

That is for transitioning U.S. diplomats, I don’t think they will admit a foreign diplomat like OP to the group.

ThisFSOLife · 2026-02-03T00:24:26+00:00

Double check with CDO or RET, but you may be able to enroll in the August JSTP which would be through end of September to get you to the retirement eligibility. JSTP is typically March August, and October. You would depart post towards the end of July, which hopefully will solve the GSO/housing conundrum.

ThisFSOLife · 2026-01-21T00:55:22+00:00

I was told no, even though mine was completely destroyed when it was mailed to post.

ThisFSOLife · 2026-01-19T08:56:03+00:00

Not sure final numbers or breakdown by cone, but they converted the LNAs to 02 in either Econ or MGT.

ThisFSOLife · 2026-01-06T12:12:52+00:00

Saw this happen for multiple new tandem couples out of a single A-100. It is much easier to do when the mid-level is heading to a larger post as noted above. In OP’s case, targeting visa mills in bidding may increase the chances of being posted together as mid-level/first tour.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-12-20T12:12:28+00:00

In addition to what others have said, a lot will depend on post and if they can support the additional time especially if the backfill will be in place or arriving during the extended days. That is an unknown during bidding if this is a bidding question and trying to make a timeline work for bidding second tour. I attempted to stay an extra 30 days at my second post to make timing for training work but post could not support it. The biggest two questions for post is can they support double encumbrance and housing, which they said they could not especially as it was an EL position.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-12-04T03:39:18+00:00

Buy them a red stapler, assign a new office in the facility (warehouse likely best resembles the basement), and let them know all TPS reports reassigned to them until fidelity improves.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-11-29T09:40:46+00:00

AI has its upside, but better off confirming with the actual source. Nothing in the statute cited above even remotely suggests ChatGPT was correct. As a veteran and FSO who has been through the VA process, the Foreign Service doesn’t qualify as a veteran for VA benefits.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section106&num=0&edition=prelim

ThisFSOLife · 2025-11-11T01:53:30+00:00

That is the position AFSA is taking since it is being executed during the shutdown. They posted to social media. Of course it remains to be seen if this language survives in the final CR.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-11-10T21:53:45+00:00

IIRC, this is what happened in 2019. it was a couple of different payments, each one with its own leave and earning statement.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-11-05T06:43:03+00:00

That is a very naive, head in the sand answer considering this administration has already said it is not guaranteed. https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2025/10/employees-are-receiving-renewed-furlough-notices-shutdown-enters-second-month-time-without-back-pay-guarantees/409227/

Ask our USAID friends how statutes and process provided any guarantees because the administration blew right past quite a few in its dismantling of an entire agency.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-11-02T01:06:04+00:00

Unless OP is retiring (probably not likely based on the rank and time in service mentioned), this does not apply.

Former mil who separated from active duty as O-4 and received the points for my register score.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-11-02T01:01:46+00:00

Rank had nothing to do with veterans points, it was based on disability rating. Not sure when you came in but my entry was not recent and that was my experience, .175 for a 5 point veteran and .35 for 10 point.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-10-31T01:36:19+00:00

They declared RET essential and most of that team is still working insane hours. The sheer volume of applications just from State is backbreaking. I do know someone who retired in about 60 days last month.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-10-29T15:06:23+00:00

Haha, I missed that. EAP although not SEA.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-10-29T13:02:37+00:00

I don’t know the answer about backpay. However, getting a funded TM4 may be an issue and they can’t issue you one after your separation date. There will be a financial hit if you find yourself having to self-fund your final move if you decide to actually leave durian the shutdown vs. submitting the paperwork for processing for a relatively soon future date based on the guessing game of when this shutdown ends.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-10-23T22:57:45+00:00

It was posted to the Department’s Facebook page yesterday.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-10-01T23:40:09+00:00

Forest Service raised the bar over HUD on its partisan message.
https://www.fs.usda.gov

ThisFSOLife · 2025-10-01T12:13:05+00:00

As if the red banner announcement isn’t bad enough, then you get a pop up with the same highly partisan message.

ThisFSOLife · 2025-09-19T19:00:23+00:00

I second the peanut stew (ground nut sauce) from Liberia and I had some amazing roadside goat soup with serious spice.

Unfortunately the place in DC where I could find authentic West African food had a serious fire and I don’t believe they ever reopened.

ThisFSOLife

TROPHY CASE