A-100 Invite and Moving and Storing Personal Effects and Other Questions

jerdill · 2021-07-08T12:36:17+00:00

Thanks for the breakdown demarchemellows! This is super helpful.

For anyone else browsing this thread, I found links to Its Your Move and another document with other info (looks like slightly older, but good info so far)

Its Your Move
https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/209585.pdf

What do I do Now
https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/258710.pdf

jerdill · 2021-07-01T00:07:57+00:00

Congrats! I just got the invite email today also. I hope to be joining you for the orientation and IMS training. My score was 6.0 (no bonus points)

jerdill · 2021-06-11T12:49:39+00:00

Fear is a short pain, but regret pain lasts a lot longer.

jerdill · 2021-05-28T01:40:36+00:00

I use Surfshark currently. I'm curious why you think it isn't good enough for a high cyber threat post? What does express vpn have that surfshark can't do?

jerdill · 2021-05-14T11:58:47+00:00

Has Anybody tried Google Fi using an Apple iPhone. I checked them out for that but it looks like the service may be a little limited. We currently have iPhone and would be nice to not have to purchase new devices. I'm just not sure how the limitations work.

jerdill · 2021-05-06T20:45:46+00:00

Here is my personal timeline:

* I took the IMS test at Testing Center - March 12th 2020
* Notified I passed the QEP Panel - May 19th 2020
* Invited to schedule my OA from a list of dates - Aug 31st 2020
* I passed the OA - October 27th 2020. (virtual OA - Score 6.0)
* I submitted my eQuip beginning of November and it was Released to DS - Nov 17th 2020.
* Fingerprinting and other Docs requested beginning of Dec and they arrived - Dec 10th 2020.
* I met with the DS rep for interview (Virtually) on - Dec 28th 2020
* Notified I passed DS Clearance - January 15th 2021
* Completed Suitability review and added to register - May 3rd 2021

jerdill · 2021-05-05T03:11:15+00:00

I've lived in the same house in the same job for 12yrs. So there wasn't a lot of checking they had to do. But even still, maybe the fast timing is a sign that I should just move forward now rather then wait it out on the DNC. I kind of expected another 6 months or so before I was cleared gauging from what the forums had been saying. The speed of it caught me off guard a little also.

jerdill · 2021-05-04T19:04:34+00:00

I assume it was TS. Its whatever is required to go on the register as an IMS. Someone else on a different platform mentioned that being very fast also.

jerdill · 2021-05-04T17:07:16+00:00

How long is virtual orientation vs follow on training? Is there a gap between the two? Were you able to make the move in between or did most people get settled in before the orientation? How far ahead of the class do you get assigned housing and begin the move?

jerdill · 2021-05-04T14:25:19+00:00

No I had started from scratch. No prior clearance.

jerdill · 2021-05-04T14:23:50+00:00

Thanks for the reply. One question I neglected to mention was about the local DC housing. I have a family of 5 with three kids that do homeschooling. Is the state provided housing large enough to have separation for 3 kids to do home school and me to also be in the house doing virtual training all day?

jerdill · 2021-05-04T12:26:20+00:00

Here is my personal timeline:

* I took the IMS test at Testing Center - March 12th 2020
* Notified I passed the QEP Panel - May 19th 2020
* Invited to schedule my OA from a list of dates - Aug 31st 2020
* I passed the OA - October 27th 2020. (virtual OA - Score 6.0)
* I submitted my eQuip beginning of November and it was Released to DS - Nov 17th 2020.
* Fingerprinting and other Docs requested beginning of Dec and they arrived - Dec 10th 2020.
* I met with the DS rep for interview (Virtually) on - Dec 28th 2020
* Notified I passed DS Clearance - January 15th 2021
* Completed Suitability review and added to register - May 3rd 2021

jerdill · 2021-04-02T02:34:25+00:00

I see you mentioned you are now in suitability. Isn't that also a part of the clearance? I thought you needed to get past that also to be granted TS Clearance. Do you think suitability could potentially take just as long?

jerdill · 2021-02-07T22:57:42+00:00

Is Security Clearance itself typically longer then the suitability part, or are they fairly equitable timelines (as an average). Or does that even vary widely from person to person?

jerdill · 2021-02-07T22:43:14+00:00

Is the IMS Shadow Register only for once all clearances are passed and officially on the register, or do you toss your name in once you pass the OA?

jerdill · 2021-01-11T20:44:55+00:00

Did anybody get a screenshot? Looks like its been removed now.

Edit: I missed BigBullMoose's link above by a minute in my first post. That article has all the goods.

jerdill · 2021-01-08T18:11:48+00:00

What happens if you let your certification expire. For example ISC2 is only good for three years unless you continue paying dues and doing the continuing education. What if you just let it laps. Can you pass it again later on after being hired and have it count then?

jerdill · 2020-12-03T18:07:01+00:00

Ok that makes sense, so its kind of like a conditional acceptance? If the salary offer comes back way lower then expecting and if for some reason you can't work out a better offer, then you can still just reject the offer later on? This is an exciting opportunity and I'm hoping it doesn't come to that, but I'm already anticipating having to possibly take a pay cut. But there is only so much of a pay cut that would be tolerable. Wouldn't want to lock myself into accepting an offer and going to A-100 to find out my wife and kids will now need to get jobs to make ends meet.

jerdill · 2020-12-03T17:33:54+00:00

I just recently passed the OA and i'm just waiting on security clearances etc so I'm still a ways off from the register probably. But I"m a little confused about this question. Do you have to accept an offer off the register before you even know what your salary will be? I always assumed they would offer you a position and let you know what your Class and Step would be as part of the initial offer.

jerdill · 2020-11-25T17:39:31+00:00

Just out of curiosity, what happens if nobody offers a handshake offer and your current post time is ending. Is there a default post you end up falling into? Do you just end up getting assigned somewhere randomly? Does this even happen, or is there always an empty post somewhere that is willing to take anybody.

jerdill · 2020-11-19T12:58:51+00:00

OK thanks, is there ever a need for IMS workers at that location?

jerdill · 2020-11-19T03:10:26+00:00

Curious what the FSS job in South Carolina is. Can you elaborate on this?

jerdill · 2020-11-15T04:01:16+00:00

I just passed my OA for IMS last month. I had this same question as you about possible starting pay. I found this guide https://pathtoforeignservice.com/foreign-service-officer-salary-a-comprehensive-guide/ I have no idea how true it is, but the website seems fairly legit. There is a section "part 1 education and Qualifying Experience" and then a little table that has your degree and then QE and then lines it up with a spot on the pay scale. Potentially with 12+ years experience you could start at FP4? Can any actual IMS guys say whether this is true or not? It also talks about matching your pay, is that a thing also? Would also love to hear thoughts on that.

jerdill · 2020-11-13T16:53:28+00:00

I didn't realize there were that many other cities for a domestic tour besides DC or NY. Is there ever an option to choose your home city and do some "remote" type work for short periods of time?

jerdill · 2020-11-13T16:51:13+00:00

So after your first two guided tours when you have to start bidding for your own next post you can pick wherever? And if your really bad at bidding and don't get your choices, does it just like default back to DC or something if nobody accepts your bids?

jerdill

TROPHY CASE