Well, my transfer orders finally came in this week, and with them came my first taste of government fun. I had informed State that I would be going to my orientation solo, so wouldn’t need tickets/lodging for my family. This was confirmed by them in an email, and all my lodging was set up on
Pun intended. Sorry, not sorry. Just a quick update as there has been some movement over the last couple of weeks. I have continued to steadily pack out my stuff. Last week I basically got all my clothes separated into a UAB pile, or packed in luggage I will be taking with me, saving just
This will be the last AMA post for a bit unless I get some more that trickle in. I am thinking of applying for the Foreign Service, but I’m worried about what that might mean for my husband and his job. Would he be able to work abroad or is he relegated to stay at
What is your ideal post/country if you got to choose anywhere in the world? Tough question, but a fun one. Ask my wife and she is going to tell you Spain or Italy. Broadly, the ideal post is a place I am happy in my job, enjoy my coworkers, has good local and regional travel,
How much does an MP in the Foreign Service usually make? It seems the government salaries are usually much lower than the private sector. Arguably one of the more important things to consider when starting the application process, is the salary. The Foreign Service uses a rank ordered salary schedule, and if you are familiar
“It’s a fire hose”. That is how a Regional Medical Officer that I befriended a couple years ago described the tidal wave of information and stuff you have to do once you finally get an offer from State. The past few days have been a whirlwind of information, planning, and telling family/friends about our plans.
Well, I spent a whopping 12 whole days on The Register before getting my invitation to the April Orientation (now combined Generalist and Specialist). I was sitting at work yesterday (01/24/22) checking my email when a State Department email loaded with my invite. I probably had to slow myself down and reread it a dozen
Somehow, since I started this blog in the Summer of 2021, a few people have reached out to me on the AMA page and sent me emails asking some good questions. Although I have replied to them independently, their questions were fantastic and I thought I would start a little series over the next few
I am happy to post that this week I finally got my security clearance, apparently cleared suitability, and am now on the Foreign Service Specialist Register as a Medical Provider. I woke up in the wee hours of the morning on January 12th to find an email from REGISTRAR, in bold letters, congratulating me on
A few weeks later and still no news. When I passed my Oral Assessment in May of this year, the folks at the State Department that did my exit interview said they would be surprised if I had my security clearance by the end of the year, so this is expected. It doesn’t make waiting
