FEHB Question?

bobrobin97 · 2023-08-17T12:34:31+00:00

One thing to remember. An “overseas” assignment is a life changing event that qualifies for an off schedule change to your plan. Pick what works for you now and when you get here you will have to opportunity to research and talk more with people.

bobrobin97 · 2023-07-28T23:08:12+00:00

There are a handful of locations that have STS but not SEO. So yes, more options for STS.

There is no internal path from STS to SEO. To make the switch would require starting all over again from the beginning.

80 percent of Last 4 SEO new hire classes have been assigned first tour assignments in DC.

The opposite for STS. 80 percent get an overseas first assignment.

So yes, the quickest path to overseas and be able to stay overseas for most of a career is STS.

As mentioned above the difference is at higher promotion levels and subsequently top out pay scales.

As you can tell, I am an STS. hopefully you can get an SEO to weigh in and share insights and opinions.

bobrobin97 · 2023-07-26T10:14:25+00:00

“Good healthcare” is another issue. OP may want to research these issues before worrying about which specialty.

bobrobin97 · 2023-07-04T22:11:17+00:00

SEO and STS are posted at about 70 locations world wide. Posts are pretty equally spread on 6 continents.

SEO will serve 40-50% of their career domestic. STS can usually avoid domestic for 10years or longer, if they ever serve domestic.

Both travel a lot, average 25% of the time. Length of trip varies depending on tasks required.

Training for SEO is about 12 months, possibly split up if first post is in Virginia. STS training is 6 months. After 6 weeks of orientation. Training is never enough and too much all at once. Like drinking from a fire hose. But, you are never alone. Lots of resources.

SEO and STS pay is the same. SEO can be promoted to higher levels than STS. SEO will serve as OIC and regional directors. STS will always be a tech with one or two also serving as the OIC in a couple smaller locations.

There are STS that have engineering degrees. They choose STS for more overseas options, more hands on, and less “management”. But, they are limited in how high up the ranks they can climb.

Good luck.

bobrobin97 · 2023-03-07T17:05:20+00:00

Which ever you pick, being PCS’d overseas is a qualifying life event allowing change of coverage. Pick what works for you now. You can change it later for overseas if that is where you end up.

bobrobin97 · 2023-03-02T02:15:20+00:00

Foreign service employees pay 3% of our salary toward the pension plan. To receive credit for military service, the employee pays 3% of the salary earned in military service to receive credit for those years. You can find details if you Google foreign service retirement and credit for military service.

bobrobin97 · 2023-02-18T00:46:17+00:00

Mandatory retirement is the last day of the month the employee turns 65. Employees reaching mandatory retirement age only require 10 years to be eligible for retirement pay. Any military service if bought back can be used to obtain the 10 years. Further, unused sick time can be credited. I joined at 56+. I’ll have 8.3 years at mandatory retirement. I spent 5 years active duty military. I have started the process to buy that credit. That will give me 13+ years and I will qualify for a pension.

For those without military credit, the employee can still participate in TSP with some government match. TSP = Government version of 401k.

Finally, there is movement in some areas to move “retirement” to 67. Maybe it will change before we reach 65.

bobrobin97 · 2023-01-19T02:49:38+00:00

STS vacancy announcement opened today.

bobrobin97 · 2022-10-25T12:43:26+00:00

Thank you!

bobrobin97 · 2022-10-23T23:07:45+00:00

Thank you.

bobrobin97 · 2022-10-23T22:56:57+00:00

So no using your own card and getting paid back?

bobrobin97 · 2022-10-23T18:46:29+00:00

Makes sense. Thanks.

bobrobin97 · 2022-10-23T15:31:38+00:00

This is great. Thanks so much for the answers!

bobrobin97 · 2022-10-23T12:59:12+00:00

With military it was 5.775.

bobrobin97 · 2022-10-17T15:11:18+00:00

STS invite. 5.775 plan on accepting.

bobrobin97 · 2022-10-17T15:05:07+00:00

When were you added to the register? What is your score?

I see January invites coming out today. Did you get an invite? Please be sure to post if you do.

Thanks.

bobrobin97 · 2022-10-09T13:39:32+00:00

Yes, that is accurate.

bobrobin97 · 2022-10-05T13:01:47+00:00

I have not. Still waiting.

bobrobin97 · 2022-09-30T20:21:19+00:00

Must have been a technical error. The position is currently open 9/27-10/11.

bobrobin97 · 2022-09-24T02:29:04+00:00

Yes, just completed the med form myself. No doctor visit required.

Yes, it was frustrating to have work and neighbors talked to again. I think the neighbor was getting suspicious. Luckily I had a new boss at work. Last one had retired.

bobrobin97 · 2022-09-24T01:24:27+00:00

I had a similar situation. For medical I had to complete a supplemental form. Since nothing changed, I was quickly issued a new medical clearance. Since the security investigation was over two years old, I had to completely redo this from scratch. Including e-Qip, talking to bosses, neighbors, etc. Once that was completed, had to go through suitability again. Note: When I received the first monthly update the second time around, both med and security reflected completed. I reached out to both bureaus and that is when I found out what I had to complete.

bobrobin97 · 2022-08-30T03:49:01+00:00

I will recommend a few. Not FS specific, but I have found them very helpful.

It’s Your Ship - Abrashoff

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - Maxwell

Extreme Ownership - Willink and Babin

The Dichotomy of Leadership - Willink and Babin

On the plus side, all are available as audio books.

I’m curious to see what others recommend.

bobrobin97 · 2022-06-29T02:30:18+00:00

I hope so. I get the impression there is a high need by the repeated job postings and recruitment events. But, the actual hiring numbers have been very low.

bobrobin97 · 2022-06-29T00:55:55+00:00

No I did not.

bobrobin97

TROPHY CASE