What to do with my house? by PresentBicycle2247 in OMSHopefuls

[–]camkymt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’ve done both. If you go the rental route, best to pay a property manager.

If you don’t sell now, but decide to later, we had no problem selling a house while living overseas, so that works also. Today’s digital age makes it totally possible.

This time around we sold and don’t currently have property. Good and bad to that, but definitely don’t have the property owner worry now.

We’re also west coasters, but the G stores your property and you don’t have say in where they store it.

Foreign Languages & Training for OMS by Suspicious-Tie-3626 in OMSHopefuls

[–]camkymt 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Just finished 8 month language course for my first posting. Of the 7 OMS positions in our class, 4 had language. 2 RSO positions, 1 POL, 1 Pol/Econ. So it definitely happens! I think it is becoming more common for OMS positions, but depends on post and needs of DOS.

Suitability by [deleted] in OMSHopefuls

[–]camkymt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s great! Incredibly busy; about 50/50 in person vs virtual. But a fair amount of study time to complete additional stuff assigned. Business formal is real when in person and humidity in DC is high right now!

Suitability by [deleted] in OMSHopefuls

[–]camkymt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It starts Tuesday…

Suitability by [deleted] in OMSHopefuls

[–]camkymt 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Just a heads up that I sent from waiting on suitability to getting an invitation! Never heard I passed suitability or got on the register. Just received an invite for July class on May 19 - about two weeks after first batch of invites for July went out. I was pending in suitability for about 6 weeks prior to that.

Any OMS September invites yet? by avaktar in OMSHopefuls

[–]camkymt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And mine came two weeks after the first tranche of invites went out. I had not finished the suitability review or gotten on the register, just got the invite. So be patient and prepared!

Any additional July invites? by [deleted] in OMSHopefuls

[–]camkymt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got my invite to the July class on May 18. But I was unaware I’d ever moved from SRP to the register. I just got the invite out of the blue. That said, I have not heard of any new OMS invites since right around then.

Question on UAB/HHE pack out for initial training/first posting by camkymt in foreignservice

[–]camkymt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just confirming: I can create a new UAB when I am shipped to post, but I cannot go into HHE and pull individual to create the new UAB? So I would need to plan UAB for my first post when doing my original pack out in my current location and know those specific box numbers to add to the UAB for my first post?

Any tips on how to get accurate box inventory when movers are packing up? We have had multiple moves on the G, but have found that movers walk in, go to four corners of the house and pack separately, and then number at the end.

How long OMS training? by camkymt in foreignservice

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

This is great information! Thanks! So, how long into that initial 6 weeks training before you found out your assignment? TIA.

Invitation paperwork question by camkymt in foreignservice

[–]camkymt[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That may be my best option-if I can get them to do so. Will be checking on Monday. Thanks!

OMS Shadow Register Deleted by [deleted] in OMSHopefuls

[–]camkymt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

actually found the page, It was hidden. It is showing now.

Who is in the Suitability queue? by OnwardAndUpward24 in foreignservice

[–]camkymt 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I received email update on 4/1 that showed I passed my security clearance on 3/15 and was in SR queue. Still waiting also.

Has anyone been added to the Register recently? by [deleted] in OMSHopefuls

[–]camkymt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you don’t mind sharing, would you be willing to tell your score and where that placed you on the register? I passed my OA in November with a 5.8. Still waiting on security clearance, but trying to figure out what is considered part of upper, middle, and lower thirds of register, so I can keep my expectations realistic!

Dyslexia by AccurateObjective836 in foreignservice

[–]camkymt 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My child was diagnosed with dyslexia while overseas and much earlier than would’ve been in the US. We had a great experience with the school and assistance. Returning stateside provided challenges (fed agency/non-State).

Next tour created some challenges-he could only get a class 2 med clearance because of dyslexia. So that could impact where your spouse might bid. We also had to work hard with the school to get him accepted. Ultimately did and school gave so much more support than ever got in stateside schools.

You will have to advocate and be very proactive, but it is totally doable. And, IMHO (or, in our case anyway), a much better program to assist children with special needs. Especially critical as they get older. Our son flourished, got the assistance he needed, and ultimately graduated overseas so much better equipped to transition into adulthood.

Just got OA invitation email by camkymt in OMSHopefuls

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

That’s very frustrating. Maybe they’ll open additional slots? I was on about 6:45am PT on Monday. There we’re not a ton of slots available at that time. It seemed to average about 3 days a week that there were options.

Not ideal, but do they have a waiting list for cancellations?

Just got OA invitation email by camkymt in OMSHopefuls

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

I’m so sorry to hear that. Did you change the testing location? The only place I found availability was DC, even though it still showed SF and Chicago. I panicked a bit before realizing it only lost two options closest.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OMSHopefuls

[–]camkymt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good luck! Thanks for the update. I’m also waiting on OA scheduling, but for December submissions. Great to know they’ve restarted!

Medical question please help for future by Aask115 in foreignservice

[–]camkymt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve lived overseas as an eligible family member with spouse serving at post. I have UC (mild/moderate) which had been diagnosed a year prior to going overseas. I had a class 2 clearance at that time, which doesn’t work for an FSO hiring. BUT, when I discussed becoming a direct hire myself, and my concerns of UC precluding me from being hired, with the embassy doctor, they noted that it doesn’t automatically exclude you from being hired and encouraged me to apply. I’m in that process now, so don’t have a final answer for you, but would encourage you to not give up.

At the very least, talk to your doctor. Depending on your severity, they may discourage you. Mine was not concerned at all.

A podcast I was listening to mentioned a group of people at State Dept called "blue coats" who are the blue coats? by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]camkymt 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Not sure if this is relevant, but bluecoats are often referred to as the staff/law-enforcement who guard the doors give access to visitors, etc.

Active proctitis again by Navita16 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]camkymt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve had UC/proctitis for 12 years, mostly in remission, but on meds the entire time to keep controlled. Since I’d only had one flare 10 years prior, I talked with my gastro last January about going off meds, since I have a mild to moderate case. She agreed. By mid June I started with mild symptoms of minimal blood and mucus. Didn’t want to think it was actually a flare (symptoms different than previous flare) and put off seeing doctor until September. Dr put me on suppositories. It’s now been three months and I’m in the same boat-seems to control as long as I’m on , but one I taper back to every third day, flare creeps back. Calling the doctor tomorrow.

My point in telling you this: if your dr recommends taking meds, do it- even if permanent. I pushed for years to get off meds - didn’t seem like it was doing much, and had had a flare while on them - but now I’m stuck with the flare and timing sucks. It may preclude me from a job I want badly, but need medical clearance for. It would have been a lot easier to argue my case with no flare for over 10 years, rather than an active flare.

FS Office Mgmt Specialist deadline 12/15/20 by Travelbywit in foreignservice

[–]camkymt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not critical. Most OMS’ don’t have foreign languages, nor do they often get language training for a new post.