NationStates Jolt Archive

So my committment is up in under a year and I am exploring my options. I had never considered getting out before but I decided it couldn't hurt to see what I could potentially do. When I was researching I came across the Foreign Service.

http://www.careers.state.gov/officer/index.html

Anybody have any experience with this? Apparently the test is quite difficult.

Is there a possibility you could get fired when the Democrats take over the executive in '09?

1. What foreign languages can you adequately converse in?

2. Does it fall under civil servants?

1. What foreign languages can you adequately converse in?

Near fluent spanish and operational arabic and farsi. By operational I mean enough to give basic commands to indig forces and to give simple orders to civilians. Not to have a conversation.
2. Does it fall under civil servants?
I do not believe that it does but I could be wrong.

Near fluent spanish and operational arabic and farsi. By operational I mean enough to give basic commands to indig forces and to give simple orders to civilians. Not to have a conversation.

Good, that should help in you are looking for the overseas bit.

I do not believe that it does but I could be wrong.

I believe it determines whether or not you can be fired by any change in power.

I believe it determines whether or not you can be fired by any change in power.

Upon review I am fairly sure that it doesn't fall under civil service. On their website it has Foreign Service and Civil Service under different headings. Also you apply for a specific position in the Civil Service but you apply to join the Foreign Service.

Just do what I did when I got out of the service. Join the fine people at UPS. Sure it's a greedy, mindless, soul sucking corporation but it beats working for the government.

Upon review I am fairly sure that it doesn't fall under civil service. On their website it has Foreign Service and Civil Service under different headings. Also you apply for a specific position in the Civil Service but you apply to join the Foreign Service.

Try and contact them and ask. I would want to know about job security, at the very least.
That, or register as a Dem jut in case. :D

This is going to sound very odd coming from me.

I encourage you to take the test and see if you qualify. Fluent Spanish is incredibly helpful to your chances, may I recommend attempting to gain some more fluency in your Farsi?

You experience in the military service will be extremely helpful, especially if you are a senior Company grade officer or junior Field grade officer. (Senior Captain and up is usually quite helpful). If you have service in an overseas posting, that is another consideration.

Political party affiliation means absolutely NOTHING. In fact it is generally forbidden for anyone, including supervisors to inquire as to your political party. When someone asks me my party affiliation I change the subject or ignore the question. This is a good policy. Only the senior most officers at State are political appointees. Deputy Director and up usually are political appointees. CIA is much the same way. DDO/DDA/DDST are usually career officers.

Do not expect fast and immediate test results, and the process of getting hired is really slow. Your military clearances will help, but only marginally. State FSOs and CIA Operations Officers must pass an extensive FBI background check, and CIA gets involved if you have served in an overseas posting for any significant amount of time. 6-12 months for your clearances and the final pass is done by DHS.

Last bit of advice. Career FSO's and CIA Ops officers, unlike in the suspense novels do not cotton to you expressing political opinions well. That is considered rude and saved for after retirement.

Good luck.

Put in a bit more research, last I read, the old-school tough-as-nails FSO exam is being replaced by a wishy-washy 'comprehensive evaluation' for 'new diplomacy.'

This could make it appeal more or less to you, but it opens the door for politicizing and fouling up what has for a long time been a pretty solid meritocracy.

The out-of-her-depth academic Condie Rice has had her hand in this, from what I've read.

When someone asks me my party affiliation I change the subject or ignore the question. This is a good policy. There could be written questions like
Have you ever been a member of a Communist org.. / anarchist org . etc

but it is extremely unlikely someone will ever ask you if you are a Dem or a Rep.. during the long hiring process..

If they do.. its likely as a joke question.. testing your character/self-assurance.
I would give an straight answer.. or
I would reply "My Dad is a dem, my Mom is a rep.. and I am both.. ;) "

Never ignore a question.. during the interview.

Put in a bit more research, last I read, the old-school tough-as-nails FSO exam is being replaced by a wishy-washy 'comprehensive evaluation' for 'new diplomacy.'

This could make it appeal more or less to you, but it opens the door for politicizing and fouling up what has for a long time been a pretty solid meritocracy.

The out-of-her-depth academic Condie Rice has had her hand in this, from what I've read.

Fortunately, Secretary Rice is...temporary. Luckily, it is unlikely Leathernecks will have contact with Executive Management.

Some of the changes are utter bollocks. But the fact remains at the junior level, the changes will not be pervasive enough to change the Department overnight.

Oh...and Secretary Rice is a twit. Secretary Powell is sorely missed.

I think Leathernecks should expect a very long, patience straining process. It took a buddy of mine 16 months to clear CIA's vetting.

This is going to sound very odd coming from me.

I encourage you to take the test and see if you qualify. Fluent Spanish is incredibly helpful to your chances, may I recommend attempting to gain some more fluency in your Farsi?

You experience in the military service will be extremely helpful, especially if you are a senior Company grade officer or junior Field grade officer. (Senior Captain and up is usually quite helpful). If you have service in an overseas posting, that is another consideration.

Political party affiliation means absolutely NOTHING. In fact it is generally forbidden for anyone, including supervisors to inquire as to your political party. When someone asks me my party affiliation I change the subject or ignore the question. This is a good policy. Only the senior most officers at State are political appointees. Deputy Director and up usually are political appointees. CIA is much the same way. DDO/DDA/DDST are usually career officers.

Do not expect fast and immediate test results, and the process of getting hired is really slow. Your military clearances will help, but only marginally. State FSOs and CIA Operations Officers must pass an extensive FBI background check, and CIA gets involved if you have served in an overseas posting for any significant amount of time. 6-12 months for your clearances and the final pass is done by DHS.

Last bit of advice. Career FSO's and CIA Ops officers, unlike in the suspense novels do not cotton to you expressing political opinions well. That is considered rude and saved for after retirement.
good stuff.

So my committment is up in under a year and I am exploring my options. I had never considered getting out before but I decided it couldn't hurt to see what I could potentially do. When I was researching I came across the Foreign Service.

http://www.careers.state.gov/officer/index.html

Anybody have any experience with this? Apparently the test is quite difficult.

No, it isn't a difficult test (at least I didn't think so).

Is there a possibility you could get fired when the Democrats take over the executive in '09?

Only if you're a Schedule C appointtee.

Take for example US Attorneys. They are Schedule C, and can be fired for no reason at all.

Is there a possibility you could get fired when the Democrats take over the executive in '09?

Presumtious lad!

Its a bloody hard test...but...

Unlike 10 years ago it is not the main assessment tool...that is now interviews...nice and subjective.

Just do what I did when I got out of the service. Join the fine people at UPS. Sure it's a greedy, mindless, soul sucking corporation but it beats working for the government.

ROFLMAO!

Man, I've got to get through 4 rounds of aptitude tests, group examinations/interviews, preliminary interviews and final interviews to be even considered for our Department of Foreign Affairs.

And that's with a Masters Degree and a few languages.... oye.

Man, I've got to get through 4 rounds of aptitude tests, group examinations/interviews, preliminary interviews and final interviews to be even considered for our Department of Foreign Affairs.

And that's with a Masters Degree and a few languages.... oye.

All I know is that the US have been hemorrhaging Foreign Service staff like a hemorrhaging hemmorrhager!

Lost lots of talent and lots of the old hands.

All I know is that the US have been hemorrhaging Foreign Service staff like a hemorrhaging hemmorrhager!

Lost lots of talent and lots of the old hands.

I even looked into the US Foreign Service too. No joy.

I dunno, something about being a "U.S. citizen" and all that bollox.....

All I know is that the US have been hemorrhaging Foreign Service staff like a hemorrhaging hemmorrhager!

Lost lots of talent and lots of the old hands.

Indeed. It seems that there is a great deal of unrest over at Foggy Bottom. I wonder why?

Man, I've got to get through 4 rounds of aptitude tests, group examinations/interviews, preliminary interviews and final interviews to be even considered for our Department of Foreign Affairs.

And that's with a Masters Degree and a few languages.... oye.

Sounds like a strongly vetted system to me. Good luck.

It looks like I can take the test while still in so I'm definitely going to give it a shot. I don't see why I wouldn't. Better pay and a much more direct way to serve the country.

I think Leathernecks should expect a very long, patience straining process. It took a buddy of mine 16 months to clear CIA's vetting.
I've already got a top secret clearance so I think that could chop some time off.

I've already got a top secret clearance so I think that could chop some time off.

You would think so. But I have found that to not always be the case. My clearance was also TS or better. The burden will always be on you to maintain your clearances assiduously. If any time is cut off, it will be a month maybe two.

I even looked into the US Foreign Service too. No joy.

I dunno, something about being a "U.S. citizen" and all that bollox.....

Well I guess thats not a surprise. I suspect the same is true if you want to work at the FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office)...?


Indeed. It seems that there is a great deal of unrest over at Foggy Bottom. I wonder why?

Diplomacy is a dirty word in the Whitehouse?

Interesting stuff.. I've been interested in the Foreign Service myself recently, since a relative of mine was accepted.

Anyone know the specifics of the medical requirements? Google isn't helping me. Do they mind if you're a bit on the pasty side? :p

Well I guess thats not a surprise. I suspect the same is true if you want to work at the FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office)...?

Well yeah, but.... still. "Citizenship". Pfft. I'm a citizen of the world maaaan. (I'm not British, but there are some similar base requirements- either that or 'living in country for X amount of years' suffices.)

Well yeah, but.... still. "Citizenship". Pfft. I'm a citizen of the world maaaan. (I'm not British, but there are some similar base requirements- either that or 'living in country for X amount of years' suffices.)

Yeah. Likewise. It seems limiting to me...but then again you could well run into difficulties with regards to policies regarding secrets. Not that citizens have never gone to the other side...

I seem to remember something about Commonwealth citizens being allowed to sit the FCO exams...???

I seem to remember something about Commonwealth citizens being allowed to sit the FCO exams...???

Not for the FCO as far as I'm aware. Must be a British citizen or resident in the UK for at least two of the previous 10 years.

Even Commonwealth countries have their own Dept. for Foreign Affairs through..... right?

Not for the FCO as far as I'm aware. Must be a British citizen or resident in the UK for at least two of the previous 10 years.

Even Commonwealth countries have their own Dept. for Foreign Affairs through..... right?

Oh right. I wonder where I got the memory from. Still not a huge hurdle to overcome...if you get the right to remain. Which is not easy.

Yeah...Foreign Ministries usually. I suspect that there is much obscura regarding
the intricacies of the Commonwealth part ;)