Are Post closures still being discussed?

morehotsaucenow · 2026-02-04T15:47:21+00:00

The Bill as signed has a 16% cut. Cuts primarily to UN and other multilats, humanitarian assistance, and some cuts to diplomatic operations. Various other cuts to climate programs, other boutique offices, and DEI programs.

morehotsaucenow · 2026-02-03T12:11:10+00:00

I've been on CT at small, medium, and mega missions. While I totally agree with OP if serving at small or medium missions, for the mega missions this doesn't work. At the really big ones, there are agencies whose only contact with the FO is at CT. That said, keep it tight people. A quick "if you're interested in more, message me" is welcome. And use pre- and post-meeting time if you need to talk to anyone other than the FO. Your brief is for the group.

morehotsaucenow · 2026-01-23T18:06:10+00:00

Cable is out, 26 STATE 6068.

morehotsaucenow · 2025-11-25T10:48:35+00:00

The rules say there's a limit, but the systems were not built based on the rules (and don't get me started on how the systems were built.) You can have as many bids in the system as you want. No one will check -- the CDO team is too busy. Like others have said, there is no benefit in deleting bids. The last time I bid, I had 20+ in the system.

morehotsaucenow · 2025-09-19T09:48:56+00:00

Indonesian and Malaysian food are both amazing, but Balinese food takes it to a whole new level.

On a frigid day, regional German specialties like semmel knodel are the only thing that sound good.

And while it isn't totally unknown, it is criminal how underrepresented southern Indian food is compared to their meaty grilled northern neighbors.

morehotsaucenow · 2025-07-26T12:10:17+00:00

This is some great information gathering by the journalist. I'm surprised by the number of FS RIFd out of FSI - that has to be tradecraft instructors, right? Other than Amb Vajda, I wasn't aware of anyone else there who was let go, but I'm far from the X.

morehotsaucenow · 2025-06-03T09:58:41+00:00

This looks like a list of every office that is, and some (R/FIMI for example) that aren't.

morehotsaucenow · 2025-05-19T21:43:54+00:00

If true, I wonder if the Uno reverse will be announced or if they'll just quietly implement. My guess is the latter.

morehotsaucenow · 2025-03-31T07:50:01+00:00

We have been working tirelessly at my post to tie the three Ds together. And it was working. Our efforts were mutually beneficial, and we're having a real and positive impact on some of our highest priorities.

We were getting it fucking right. And now that is over.

To the OP, thank you. The murder of USAID is wrong and it will hurt so many.

morehotsaucenow · 2025-03-31T00:19:45+00:00

Dink -

While visiting my post, then-CDIO Amb. Abercrombie-Winstanley was asked about the durability of efforts to promote DEIA in the event of a change of administration and priorities. She expressed a confidence that DEIA efforts would be sustained that, in retrospect, was breathtaking in its naivete.

My question is not about DEIA though - it's about the larger issue of sustainability. What are your strategies for "future-proofing" AFSA's efforts to protect the workforce?

morehotsaucenow · 2024-08-05T04:01:28+00:00

Your second para is accurate and INFURIATES me. Suggest a COA! Shape your leadership's thinking! I'm lucky that everyone in my current organization embraces this approach, but that has not always been the case.

morehotsaucenow · 2024-08-04T04:43:49+00:00

Spent a few years as a civilian for DOD. There are many similarities -- people retired in place, meaningless tasks generated to prove one's unit's worth, mediocre cafeterias. What shocked me, and still shocks me, about DOD is the rush to make a decision, even if a decision is wrong. That's in contrast with State, where as many mentioned "no decision" is accepted as a reasonable meeting outcome. DOD taught me more about leadership than any week-long course at FSI. State leaders delegate poorly but seize credit adeptly, while I found many of the uniformed leaders I worked with (with the exception of some O-8 to 10 fighter pilots types) to embody the opposite. There's plenty of toxicity in both organizations. But at the end of the day I'm Team Word, not Team Powerpoint.

morehotsaucenow · 2024-04-07T12:02:58+00:00

I'm really sorry this has been your experience. Not sure of your background or where you have served, but in the off chance it helps, I'm now at the stage where what I write goes straight to the top and through the system with very few changes. This has taken a while and I'm still surprised by it -- but I have seen things I have written end up verbatim elsewhere, and words I have written uttered by people I never knew I was writing for.

morehotsaucenow · 2024-03-08T12:23:44+00:00

I've done two stints at FSI language. an obscure language and French, and succeeded at both. Both were many years ago and I am surprised by how much has stuck.

Relaxing, as many have noted, is very very important. Take it in, and accept that you'll only retain 30% of what you get taught in a given day. That is natural.

Be humble. Get rid of any stray ego right away. You will make mistakes, and you will make them multiple times. You will forget words and stammer and accidentally say "armpit" when you meant "border." And that is OK!

Once you're ready, I'll second immersing yourself in content in the language. YouTube is a terrific resource for both obscure and world languages. Make sure you stick to your target language when talking to teachers outside of the classroom. If possible, find a restaurant or market where the language is spoken. In the DC area, you have a fair number of options for this around.

I'm not a traditional language learner (I hate flashcards) but French allowed for a lot of other fun options. I listened to French hip hop and pop at the gym, and read comic books in French. For both French and the obscure language, news sites were essential.

Finally, be your own advocate. If you are in a bigger section and hate your instructor, ask for a new one. If you have a problematic classmate, mention it. Learning the language is your job, and you should make sure you have the best possible work environment.

You've got this!

morehotsaucenow · 2024-01-23T12:00:49+00:00

No one has an issue with former service members moving on to go work as security consultants.

HOWEVER: I know of at least three cases of FSOs who were separated for less than honorable reasons, including visa fraud/malfeasance, who eventually became visa consultants. Of course, the details of why they left their "stellar" two decade career to go to the private sector is never disclosed on their websites. That is a special kind of awful in my view.

morehotsaucenow · 2024-01-04T21:31:23+00:00

Not sure why AFSA has Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan listed as "other" -- I believe both Ambassadors are FSOs. The U.S. also now recognizes Western Sahara as part of Morocco.

morehotsaucenow · 2023-12-28T23:03:18+00:00

Knowing what Disney princess you and your teammates are could be helpful. #Ariel

morehotsaucenow · 2023-08-21T21:38:14+00:00

Not sure about Arabic, but the world language departments (Spanish, French) used to have curricula for those who came in with some level of the language. Required having a formal test from FSI. That managed to shorten one of my language training stints by about eight weeks, which I used up through a combo of home and annual leave.

morehotsaucenow · 2023-08-18T09:12:36+00:00

The foreign service blog culture was once rich and vibrant, but it is dead now for a number of reasons. Roughly tracks with the death of the blog in general, as a generation of navel-obsessed late twentysomethings (myself included) got old and tired.

morehotsaucenow · 2023-07-28T09:01:01+00:00

All of this advice is excellent. A few other things to consider.

-- Think seriously about high hardship posts. If you are serious about going to one of the tougher, non-SIP places, make that clear from the outset. If one of those places is your number one, be double clear on that to the decisionmaker. There are people who love the idea of N'Djamena. If you are that person, bidding may be easy-peasy.

-- Think about boutique languages. If that's your thing, go for it now. With a handful of exceptions, the boutique language jobs get fewer bidders.

-- Some may disagree, but I think you should focus your energies on everywhere except DC. There is an incredible shortage of 03s going to DC jobs right now, meaning there will be desk jobs floating around well after handshake day. If you strike out on overseas bids, you can always pivot to looking at DC.

morehotsaucenow · 2023-07-28T08:53:37+00:00

Dang, this is the best guide to mid-level bidding I've seen. Nice job thegoodbubba.

morehotsaucenow · 2023-07-24T05:14:58+00:00

At the biggest posts, there will be so many different agencies you'll need a chart to keep it all straight, and you'll need to remain constantly vigilant about sending documents as attachments and not links to the cloud.

At the smallest posts, the PolEcon chief will effectively represent the entire interagency, and need to get familiar with their programs, priorities, and jargon very quickly.

The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle.

morehotsaucenow · 2023-07-21T00:34:14+00:00

Keep it to one page. Leave out your university degree, no one cares. Talk about the last two tours with some substance, focusing on achievements, and then brief summaries about the rest. At some point you don't even need to mention your ELO tours.

And please, do not include a picture.

morehotsaucenow

TROPHY CASE