Once upon a time I was pretty good in foreign languages. The key was that I got hooked on phonics at an early age. I signed up for after-school Spanish, started learning Russian in the eighth grade and dabbled in some Japanese in high school. I liked foreign languages so much that I used almost all of my electives on them. It made perfect sense in these formative years. Why bother learning life skills in home economics or shop when I could study exotic tongues in Middle America? I suppose Russian would have come in handy if the Soviet Army had invaded Colorado like the 1984 cult movie Red Dawn.
I was pretty nerdy back then (and still am) but I do like to think that this adolescent infatuation set me up for a fateful relationship with the U.S. Foreign Service. Studying Arabic didn't do any wonders for my social life in high school but it probably convinced the State Department to ask me out two decades later. I didn't mind being the back-up plan and clearly wasn't getting any better looking so I quickly said yes. Our romance blossomed this summer during A-100 orientation and, before I knew it, my princess charming proposed (Tel Aviv) to me on Flag Day. Just a week later I took my vows and here I am, a newly sworn-in diplomat, living in an apartment outside of Washington, DC and learning how to share the toothpaste. Instead of waffle makers or crystal stemware, Uncle Sam gave me some basic cookware.
Now I'm learning Hebrew. But this hasn't been like the glory days of adolescence with abundant free time and brain cells. Intensive language training has been both challenging and humbling. I felt on top of things in the beginning but the past few weeks have been a different story. As I have mentioned elsewhere, my speaking experiences have been rife with some embarrassing mistakes.
This morning I had a progress evaluation which also included a reading assessment. I knew this was the biggest weakness for me. I have made some recent strides in deciphering the mind-numbing script but I still struggled making sense of the short articles in Hebrew. I suspect that I did okay overall but it is hard to accept that nobody is going to call me a language savant here. I guess I'm just an average language learner now. Is this how former Homecoming Queens feel? Sniff. Sniff.
No more pity party. Time to get over it and get down to business. I have until mid-May to achieve the required proficiency in Hebrew. I'm still confident that I can do it and maybe get back a little of my foreign language mojo. Maybe I just need Dr. Evil's "Time Machine" to go back to the 1980s. Big hair and bad fashion, here I come!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Polygots R' Us
Here's a snippet of a recent conversation I had in my elementary Hebrew:
Teacher: What is this?
Me: This is picture of Jerusalem
Teacher: Good, Oren (my Hebrew name). Were you in Jerusalem?
Me: Yes, I go there...um...about twenty years ago.
Not bad for one month of Hebrew, right? Well, that's what I thought I said. It turns out my seemingly innocent response raised my teacher's eyebrows because I mistakingly used the word for "circumcision" instead of "about." Oy vey!
Such is life these days in intensive language training. I imagine that language instructors at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), where I attend every day, share other humorous sayings over lunch with their native-speaking colleagues. I can't be the first diplomat-in-training to bring up the topic of his foreskin inadvertently. I figure it's much better to make these kind of mistakes now then, say, when I'm meeting with a member of the Israeli Knesset next fall. Until then, it's back to the safe confines of the classroom.
FSI represents that protective bubble in many ways. Every day hundreds of other trainees toil and triumph during intensive language training which, as the name suggests, is all encompassing. I'm often amused seeing other seemingly deranged students wandering around campus and talking to themselves in some foreign tongue. Chinese flashcards, not the sports page, appears to be the common reading material on the early morning shuttle bus to FSI. English may be the lingua franca in the long corridors but a retreat in the teacher's lounges will encounter Farsi, Hindi or Thai. A few of my classmates from A-100 are receiving training in even more exotic languages such as Mongolian, Somali and Tibetan.
As for me, the Hebrew department is small but packs a lot of chutzpah. My day begins bright and early at 7:40am and finishes at 2:30pm (not including several hours of homework and independent study). During that time, I have two Israeli teachers with very distinct styles but they complement each other really well. There are about a dozen Hebrew students but only three others in my section. We all speak multiple languages and often a word from a different language sneaks in. I've actually been surprised how similar Hebrew is to Arabic. This has both helped and hurt. More on that later.
The big news is that there will soon be a new language learner roaming the halls of FSI when my wife begins studying Arabic next month. Why, might you ask, would anyone want to inflict this on himself or herself? There is a very good reason!
On September 9 my wife passed the Oral Assessment and received a conditional offer to join the Foreign Service! Since the register of eligible Foreign Service candidates has become very competitive and hiring will be drastically reduced over the coming years, the only hope for my wife is to acquire what the State Department refers to as a Critical Needs Language (CNL). Just as Arabic was my ticket, it will hopefully be hers as well. Two semitic language learners will make for even more interesting internecine relations in the household. We may try arguing with each other in Arabic and Hebrew to simulate what we may hear out at our post. It may also come in handy to broker agreements among our two young children, especially if they resort to incitement and continue to occupy portions of our two-bedroom apartment.
So don't expect to see our (much more boring and unattractive) version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith anytime soon. We have a long ways to go before becoming a tandem couple. In the meantime, I'm hoping Mrs. DiploDad will do a guest blog. She has plenty to share and a keen sense of wit that I adore. Speaking of which, we got engaged nine years ago today. Back then she probably thought that she would be marrying a future diplomat but I can safely say that didn't imagine becoming an Arabic-speaking diplomat herself. That's dedication for you!
Teacher: What is this?
Me: This is picture of Jerusalem
Teacher: Good, Oren (my Hebrew name). Were you in Jerusalem?
Me: Yes, I go there...um...about twenty years ago.
Not bad for one month of Hebrew, right? Well, that's what I thought I said. It turns out my seemingly innocent response raised my teacher's eyebrows because I mistakingly used the word for "circumcision" instead of "about." Oy vey!
Such is life these days in intensive language training. I imagine that language instructors at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), where I attend every day, share other humorous sayings over lunch with their native-speaking colleagues. I can't be the first diplomat-in-training to bring up the topic of his foreskin inadvertently. I figure it's much better to make these kind of mistakes now then, say, when I'm meeting with a member of the Israeli Knesset next fall. Until then, it's back to the safe confines of the classroom.
FSI represents that protective bubble in many ways. Every day hundreds of other trainees toil and triumph during intensive language training which, as the name suggests, is all encompassing. I'm often amused seeing other seemingly deranged students wandering around campus and talking to themselves in some foreign tongue. Chinese flashcards, not the sports page, appears to be the common reading material on the early morning shuttle bus to FSI. English may be the lingua franca in the long corridors but a retreat in the teacher's lounges will encounter Farsi, Hindi or Thai. A few of my classmates from A-100 are receiving training in even more exotic languages such as Mongolian, Somali and Tibetan.
As for me, the Hebrew department is small but packs a lot of chutzpah. My day begins bright and early at 7:40am and finishes at 2:30pm (not including several hours of homework and independent study). During that time, I have two Israeli teachers with very distinct styles but they complement each other really well. There are about a dozen Hebrew students but only three others in my section. We all speak multiple languages and often a word from a different language sneaks in. I've actually been surprised how similar Hebrew is to Arabic. This has both helped and hurt. More on that later.
The big news is that there will soon be a new language learner roaming the halls of FSI when my wife begins studying Arabic next month. Why, might you ask, would anyone want to inflict this on himself or herself? There is a very good reason!
On September 9 my wife passed the Oral Assessment and received a conditional offer to join the Foreign Service! Since the register of eligible Foreign Service candidates has become very competitive and hiring will be drastically reduced over the coming years, the only hope for my wife is to acquire what the State Department refers to as a Critical Needs Language (CNL). Just as Arabic was my ticket, it will hopefully be hers as well. Two semitic language learners will make for even more interesting internecine relations in the household. We may try arguing with each other in Arabic and Hebrew to simulate what we may hear out at our post. It may also come in handy to broker agreements among our two young children, especially if they resort to incitement and continue to occupy portions of our two-bedroom apartment.
So don't expect to see our (much more boring and unattractive) version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith anytime soon. We have a long ways to go before becoming a tandem couple. In the meantime, I'm hoping Mrs. DiploDad will do a guest blog. She has plenty to share and a keen sense of wit that I adore. Speaking of which, we got engaged nine years ago today. Back then she probably thought that she would be marrying a future diplomat but I can safely say that didn't imagine becoming an Arabic-speaking diplomat herself. That's dedication for you!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Diplomat(s)-in-Training
Although the glow from Flag Day has faded, the horizon is bright with my first assignment in Tel Aviv on the horizon. For reasons I previously explained, I feel very lucky to have received this post and continue to hear positive things about it. The past two weeks have shed some new light on what my job will entail and the lifestyle my family will enjoy when we ship out in July 2012. I can't wait!
In the meantime, I've got a lot of nuts and bolts to learn about being a Political Officer in Israel. I have to confess that I have an urge to start making foreign policy widgets right away but, after the holiday weekend, my full time job will be learning Hebrew. Even though this is a pretty sweet gig, the road ahead should be challenging. I know exactly three words of Hebrew at the moment and I probably won't sound much better than this pubescent boy's bar mitzvah by the time Hanukkah rolls around. Maybe I can channel some of my Prussian ancestry (which incidentally may have some Jewish blood in it) so I can become halfway decent by next summer. In all seriousness, my language training should get me near fluency so I can hit the ground running in my reporting duties.
On Tuesday morning, school also begins for my two sons. It's been a long summer and they definitely need some structure and discipline in their days. September 6 couldn't come fast enough! B will make the pilgrimage to kindergarten while A will commute with me to the pre-school adjacent to the Foreign Service training center. I'm optimistic that all three of us will thrive in our new school environments. As a side note, it's ironic that I'll still be in school with them after I thought I could go no further. At least my wife doesn't need to buy school supplies for me too.
Speaking of which, J is also getting in on the school act! Beginning September 19, she'll be in a six-week consular training course at the Foreign Service Institute. Another plus about being posted in Tel Aviv is the embassy has lots of employment opportunities for spouses of Foreign Service Officers. There's some competition but completing the course will give her a leg up for working on visa applications and American citizen services. I might actually be envious of her job because the consular section apparently overlooks the best beach in Tel Aviv!
So, as you can see, us future diplomats have a busy fall schedule of training. There should be some interesting conversation around the dinner table about what new things we learned that day in math, immigration law and Hebrew!
In the meantime, I've got a lot of nuts and bolts to learn about being a Political Officer in Israel. I have to confess that I have an urge to start making foreign policy widgets right away but, after the holiday weekend, my full time job will be learning Hebrew. Even though this is a pretty sweet gig, the road ahead should be challenging. I know exactly three words of Hebrew at the moment and I probably won't sound much better than this pubescent boy's bar mitzvah by the time Hanukkah rolls around. Maybe I can channel some of my Prussian ancestry (which incidentally may have some Jewish blood in it) so I can become halfway decent by next summer. In all seriousness, my language training should get me near fluency so I can hit the ground running in my reporting duties.
On Tuesday morning, school also begins for my two sons. It's been a long summer and they definitely need some structure and discipline in their days. September 6 couldn't come fast enough! B will make the pilgrimage to kindergarten while A will commute with me to the pre-school adjacent to the Foreign Service training center. I'm optimistic that all three of us will thrive in our new school environments. As a side note, it's ironic that I'll still be in school with them after I thought I could go no further. At least my wife doesn't need to buy school supplies for me too.
Speaking of which, J is also getting in on the school act! Beginning September 19, she'll be in a six-week consular training course at the Foreign Service Institute. Another plus about being posted in Tel Aviv is the embassy has lots of employment opportunities for spouses of Foreign Service Officers. There's some competition but completing the course will give her a leg up for working on visa applications and American citizen services. I might actually be envious of her job because the consular section apparently overlooks the best beach in Tel Aviv!
So, as you can see, us future diplomats have a busy fall schedule of training. There should be some interesting conversation around the dinner table about what new things we learned that day in math, immigration law and Hebrew!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
And the winner is...
Tel Aviv, Israel! First of all, let me say that I am ecstatic to have received this assignment! It was at the top of our list and was highly coveted among many others in my A-100 class. In fact, it was so popular that my wife and I had pretty much written it off and had been focusing on posts which we felt we had a more realistic chance.
The lead-up to the big announcement was excruciating. The ceremony didn't start until 3:35pm and I was one of the last names to be called. Finally, the blue star of David appeared and I heard my name. After a two-handed fist pump into the air, my mind re-entered my body and I somehow managed to put one foot in front of the other to walk up to the podium. I vaguely remember shaking hands with a high level ambassador, someone else handling me a folder with all the details of my assignment and then plopping back in my chair for the few remaining minutes. Afterwards, I floated around the room for about an hour and then went out with some of my classmates to celebrate. Late last night, my wife and I sat dumbfounded in our apartment. Even this morning, Tel Aviv is still sinking in. Where do I begin?
For starts, I was assigned to be a political officer in one of the most strategically important U.S. embassies in the world. Getting an in-cone job for the first tour was my number one priority and a Tel Aviv post is a real coup for my career. Serving in the Middle East checks another box and pretty much leaves the world wide open for my second tour as a consular officer. The post also has much to offer my wife. There are many employment opportunities in the embassy and she will have a very good opportunity to advance her own prospects of joining me in the Foreign Service (more details on that will be provided in the coming weeks) after our first tour ends in July 2014.
Speaking of which, the timing also works out very well. We get to stay in our cushy apartment until next July for functional training and Hebrew. My older son will get to spend the whole year of kindergarten in a highly regarded school here in Falls Church, Virginia. Moving to Tel Aviv next summer will also facilitate his transition to the American school that he will attend there. We're still considering various options for my younger son who will still be in preschool.
As for Tel Aviv's livability, we really scored in that department. Based on the little that I've read, the city sounds like the Miami of the Middle East with great beaches and a pulsating nightlife. In fact, the Lonely Planet travel guide anointed Tel Aviv as the third hottest city for 2011. I doubt my young family will partake in such hedonism but I might have to start frequenting the gym so I don't embarrass myself. I think one of the biggest perks of the post will also be the accessibility to other attractions in the region. I've already promised my wife a trip to the Greek isles.
Well, we've got a lot to think about in the coming days but at least we can plan for the future with location and timing in mind. I promise to provide updates along the way but this blog won't be nearly as climactic as the past couple months. Shalom for now!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Flag Day (12:01am)
Flag Day has finally arrived--albeit just barely here on the East Coast. There are still about 16 hours to go until I learn when and where I will be headed for my first assignment. People are usually besides themselves at this point with all the anxiety and anticipation, but I am oddly calm.
I am optimistic that I could receive one of my top choices. If I don't, I can live with most of the other posts. As I previously explained, I tried to hedge my bets by bidding on a range of posts that satisfy particular requirements and set myself up for receiving a favorable second assignment. That being said, I am also taking a swing at a few dream posts. I'm very tempted to list them but I am afraid of jinxing myself. I can't resist providing a few tantalizing hints though.
I like to the think of the top three possibilities as analogous to the book/movie "Eat. Pray. Love" but in my own particular way. "Eat" and "Pray" refer to two countries that are known for their cuisine and religiosity. As for "Love" (my top choice), it doesn't fit so neatly but instead symbolizes the "peace" I would feel living close to the heavens for the next two years. Any guesses?
Okay, that's enough fodder for tonight. I remember staying up late last winter reading online recaps about Flag Day for others. Now it's my turn. Here's hoping for the best. Peace out.
I am optimistic that I could receive one of my top choices. If I don't, I can live with most of the other posts. As I previously explained, I tried to hedge my bets by bidding on a range of posts that satisfy particular requirements and set myself up for receiving a favorable second assignment. That being said, I am also taking a swing at a few dream posts. I'm very tempted to list them but I am afraid of jinxing myself. I can't resist providing a few tantalizing hints though.
I like to the think of the top three possibilities as analogous to the book/movie "Eat. Pray. Love" but in my own particular way. "Eat" and "Pray" refer to two countries that are known for their cuisine and religiosity. As for "Love" (my top choice), it doesn't fit so neatly but instead symbolizes the "peace" I would feel living close to the heavens for the next two years. Any guesses?
Okay, that's enough fodder for tonight. I remember staying up late last winter reading online recaps about Flag Day for others. Now it's my turn. Here's hoping for the best. Peace out.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Pinch me...
...because I must be dreaming. For the past three weeks I have listened to policy briefings from high ranking officials, become acquainted with some of my fellow classmates and learned about what life entails in the Foreign Service. It's hard to believe that I will soon be a diplomat. Really. Pinch me.
The intensive 6-week orientation course known as A-100 has been everything advertised and more. People often liken A-100 to drinking from a fire hose. The information has come fast and furious from day one. I'm not permitted to divulge its contents but I can elaborate on one of the central objectives: how to navigate the government bureaucracy. The first step often involves deciphering the many acronyms for agencies, bureaus and figures. Some days I feel like I am swimming in alphabet soup.
I will become close friends with some of these acronyms though. Working in the Foreign Service has a number of employee benefits, or "bennies" as they are affectionately referred to on occasion. I've already endeared myself to terms such as Overseas Comparability Pay (OCP), Language Incentive Pay (LIP) and Living Quarter Allowance (LQA). One day I might even collect a wardrobe allowance going from one extreme climate to another. These "bennies" are just a drop in the bucket though. The biggest benefit of serving as a U.S. diplomat comes in the power and prestige associated with the official duties of the job. I readily admit that distinguished titles and diplomatic credentials can be intoxicating. For this reason, Foreign Service Officers are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity. I never thought I would take quote from a Marvel superhero movie but, as Uncle Ben tells young Spider-Man, "With great power comes great responsibility."
On a lighter note, A-100 is much more than a tally of perks and prerequisites. A second major component of the class is socializing with fellow classmates and developing an esprit d'corp. In my capacity-filled class of 98 entry level officers (shout out to the Fightin' Fire Code!), I have met fascinating individuals who come from all walks of life. There are former lawyers, teachers, peace corps volunteers and even a few recovering academics like me. Some are only few years or straight out of grad school but they draw from a wealth of experience. During many of the interactive sessions, it has become readily apparent that everyone is extremely well spoken. In fact, many speak multiple languages to boot. My Arabic and Spanish doesn't even bat an eye with this group. In short, I feel lucky to be serving with the best and the brightest and am looking forward to making lasting friendships in the weeks to come and beyond.
Speaking of which, I will find out my first assignment in less than two weeks! I've already discussed my bidding strategy so now all I can do is wait. Watch for the big announcement on August 19!
The intensive 6-week orientation course known as A-100 has been everything advertised and more. People often liken A-100 to drinking from a fire hose. The information has come fast and furious from day one. I'm not permitted to divulge its contents but I can elaborate on one of the central objectives: how to navigate the government bureaucracy. The first step often involves deciphering the many acronyms for agencies, bureaus and figures. Some days I feel like I am swimming in alphabet soup.
I will become close friends with some of these acronyms though. Working in the Foreign Service has a number of employee benefits, or "bennies" as they are affectionately referred to on occasion. I've already endeared myself to terms such as Overseas Comparability Pay (OCP), Language Incentive Pay (LIP) and Living Quarter Allowance (LQA). One day I might even collect a wardrobe allowance going from one extreme climate to another. These "bennies" are just a drop in the bucket though. The biggest benefit of serving as a U.S. diplomat comes in the power and prestige associated with the official duties of the job. I readily admit that distinguished titles and diplomatic credentials can be intoxicating. For this reason, Foreign Service Officers are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity. I never thought I would take quote from a Marvel superhero movie but, as Uncle Ben tells young Spider-Man, "With great power comes great responsibility."
On a lighter note, A-100 is much more than a tally of perks and prerequisites. A second major component of the class is socializing with fellow classmates and developing an esprit d'corp. In my capacity-filled class of 98 entry level officers (shout out to the Fightin' Fire Code!), I have met fascinating individuals who come from all walks of life. There are former lawyers, teachers, peace corps volunteers and even a few recovering academics like me. Some are only few years or straight out of grad school but they draw from a wealth of experience. During many of the interactive sessions, it has become readily apparent that everyone is extremely well spoken. In fact, many speak multiple languages to boot. My Arabic and Spanish doesn't even bat an eye with this group. In short, I feel lucky to be serving with the best and the brightest and am looking forward to making lasting friendships in the weeks to come and beyond.
Speaking of which, I will find out my first assignment in less than two weeks! I've already discussed my bidding strategy so now all I can do is wait. Watch for the big announcement on August 19!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The "Inside Baseball" of First Tour Bidding
Holy bid list, Batman! I finally got my hot little hands on the long awaited list this past Wednesday. Since then, I have pored over the approximately one hundred available posts. Where do I begin?
I suspect most people reading this blog are hoping that I post the actual list so you can test your knowledge of world capitals and rank your own exotic locales. Sorry, that ain't gonna happen. The contents of the bid list are deemed "sensitive but unclassified" which basically means that I can only talk about select posts in private. Don't worry, I don't have to kill anyone afterwards. I do know that inquiring minds want to know though. I loved to stalk blogs of newly inducted diplomats for clues about their bid list and to forecast potential trends for my own (in vain). So I'll indulge those of you with a bit of my current line of thinking. Forget about looking for a code in this blog by the way. I don't have that much time nowadays.
I liken first tour bidding to baseball. I don't follow its tedium by any stretch of the means but the strategy of the game does appeal to me. With that in mind, I like to think of myself as stepping up to the plate and trying to score runs over the next five innings (years) of my career. Here are four options based on this analogy:
1) "Swing for the Fences": There are a handful of tantalizing posts on the list over which many members of my class are salivating (myself included). Someone will get these assignments but I imagine only because of a very particular reason. I'm probably going to take a few swings but won't chase pitches at the expense of hurting my chances of landing a good post now and down the road. As I'll explain below, a cushy post for my first tour would likely result in me picking from the bottom of the barrell of posts for the second tour. This leads to an entirely different option.
2) "Sacrifice Fly": The list also contains a number of hardship posts in challenging environments to say the least. Some are drawn to these assignments for a variety of personal and professional reasons. Taking this route will undoubtedly get noticed and help move up the Foreign Service ladder. Ten years ago I would have been all over "taking one for the team" but I'm not so sure nowadays. Instead, I'm thinking a more prudent strategy will be to pursue a mix of the next two options.
3) "Bunt": Entry level officers in the Foreign Service must fulfill a number of requirements related to language proficiencies and functional work in their first two tours in order to be tenured. I plan to bid on a number of posts that enable me to "make contact" with one of these balls to move runners into scoring position. It might be best to play the odds for my second tour bidding.
4) "Base Hit": Luckily for me, the bid list has a considerable number of posts in desirable locations that also meet the aforementioned requirements. I'd actually count a number of these assignments as a "double" or even a "triple" in terms of my previously stated preferences. I'd like to think that I can make a strong case for these assignments based on my past experiences, family needs and current interests.
I hope these baseball analogies provide some insights into my line of thinking. Later this week, my wife and I will meet with one of the all powerful Career Development Officers (CDOs) who will take our preferences into consideration when deciding assignments for all of the other 98 members of my incoming class. We plan to conduct some rigorous research in the coming days on other important considerations for these posts. These details might help us make our "pitch" for why we should serve in X, Y or Z. For a glimpse into the anxiety that accompanies these meetings, check out this funny recap from blogger Kerns 'R' Us.
After I turn in my bid list on August 2, we'll have about two agonizing weeks to wait before we receive our first assignment on the fateful Flag Day on August 19. There's a lot of ground to cover before now and then. In the meantime, I'll need to keep my head in the bigger game. I'll share more about other facets in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
I suspect most people reading this blog are hoping that I post the actual list so you can test your knowledge of world capitals and rank your own exotic locales. Sorry, that ain't gonna happen. The contents of the bid list are deemed "sensitive but unclassified" which basically means that I can only talk about select posts in private. Don't worry, I don't have to kill anyone afterwards. I do know that inquiring minds want to know though. I loved to stalk blogs of newly inducted diplomats for clues about their bid list and to forecast potential trends for my own (in vain). So I'll indulge those of you with a bit of my current line of thinking. Forget about looking for a code in this blog by the way. I don't have that much time nowadays.
I liken first tour bidding to baseball. I don't follow its tedium by any stretch of the means but the strategy of the game does appeal to me. With that in mind, I like to think of myself as stepping up to the plate and trying to score runs over the next five innings (years) of my career. Here are four options based on this analogy:
1) "Swing for the Fences": There are a handful of tantalizing posts on the list over which many members of my class are salivating (myself included). Someone will get these assignments but I imagine only because of a very particular reason. I'm probably going to take a few swings but won't chase pitches at the expense of hurting my chances of landing a good post now and down the road. As I'll explain below, a cushy post for my first tour would likely result in me picking from the bottom of the barrell of posts for the second tour. This leads to an entirely different option.
2) "Sacrifice Fly": The list also contains a number of hardship posts in challenging environments to say the least. Some are drawn to these assignments for a variety of personal and professional reasons. Taking this route will undoubtedly get noticed and help move up the Foreign Service ladder. Ten years ago I would have been all over "taking one for the team" but I'm not so sure nowadays. Instead, I'm thinking a more prudent strategy will be to pursue a mix of the next two options.
3) "Bunt": Entry level officers in the Foreign Service must fulfill a number of requirements related to language proficiencies and functional work in their first two tours in order to be tenured. I plan to bid on a number of posts that enable me to "make contact" with one of these balls to move runners into scoring position. It might be best to play the odds for my second tour bidding.
4) "Base Hit": Luckily for me, the bid list has a considerable number of posts in desirable locations that also meet the aforementioned requirements. I'd actually count a number of these assignments as a "double" or even a "triple" in terms of my previously stated preferences. I'd like to think that I can make a strong case for these assignments based on my past experiences, family needs and current interests.
I hope these baseball analogies provide some insights into my line of thinking. Later this week, my wife and I will meet with one of the all powerful Career Development Officers (CDOs) who will take our preferences into consideration when deciding assignments for all of the other 98 members of my incoming class. We plan to conduct some rigorous research in the coming days on other important considerations for these posts. These details might help us make our "pitch" for why we should serve in X, Y or Z. For a glimpse into the anxiety that accompanies these meetings, check out this funny recap from blogger Kerns 'R' Us.
After I turn in my bid list on August 2, we'll have about two agonizing weeks to wait before we receive our first assignment on the fateful Flag Day on August 19. There's a lot of ground to cover before now and then. In the meantime, I'll need to keep my head in the bigger game. I'll share more about other facets in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Good Life
I'm a pretty lucky guy. I'm married to my soulmate and have two wonderful kids. I have a loving and supporting family. I went to top-notch schools and have worked for people and causes I believe in. I've traveled all around the world and am about to get paid to do it. And, oh yeah, on Monday I'll begin my lifelong dream of becoming a U.S. diplomat. It has been a good life and it only stands to get better.
The past week has been emblematic of the good life we enjoyed for the past six years in our hometown of Denver, Colorado. We've said and received heartfelt goodbyes at going away parties and last suppers. We'll miss a lot of birthday parties, holiday traditions and countless other irrecoverable moments but will still feel connected with friends and loved ones through Skype and Facebook. We also expect visits not only in DC but also in Tijuana, Timbuktu or wherever we happen to be posted (we find out August 19). I know some of you probably don't fashion yourself as part of the jet-setting crowd or being house guests in some far off land. But I do hope we can inspire some to visit us. Carpe diem. Dare to discover new places.
In 2004, my wife and I set out on a yearlong round-the-world journey that became affectionately known to us as "The Great Adventure." Over the past several days, I've been re-reading our online travelogue and can't help but feel we are about to embark on a much greater adventure. After all, traveling with young kids is an adventure in itself. (I'll have to convince them that Nyquil is a special juice only served on intercontinental plane rides.)
Today, we flew from Denver to DC and are spending our first night in our government housing in Falls Church, Virginia. We arrived in the early evening and didn't have much time to settle in but I can already tell we will continue to enjoy the good life here. First of all, we scored a refurbished two bedroom apartment in a prime location (read: noise insulation for our two young boys). We're also already smitten with the list of activities available to residents. There will be no shortage of things to do. The best part is that my family is here with me and we can share together in all the experiences to come.
On that note, I'll sign off with a link to "Good Life," a song by One Republic. I often hear it on the radio (does anyone else still listen to music on this medium?) and think about how fitting it is these days.
The past week has been emblematic of the good life we enjoyed for the past six years in our hometown of Denver, Colorado. We've said and received heartfelt goodbyes at going away parties and last suppers. We'll miss a lot of birthday parties, holiday traditions and countless other irrecoverable moments but will still feel connected with friends and loved ones through Skype and Facebook. We also expect visits not only in DC but also in Tijuana, Timbuktu or wherever we happen to be posted (we find out August 19). I know some of you probably don't fashion yourself as part of the jet-setting crowd or being house guests in some far off land. But I do hope we can inspire some to visit us. Carpe diem. Dare to discover new places.
In 2004, my wife and I set out on a yearlong round-the-world journey that became affectionately known to us as "The Great Adventure." Over the past several days, I've been re-reading our online travelogue and can't help but feel we are about to embark on a much greater adventure. After all, traveling with young kids is an adventure in itself. (I'll have to convince them that Nyquil is a special juice only served on intercontinental plane rides.)
Today, we flew from Denver to DC and are spending our first night in our government housing in Falls Church, Virginia. We arrived in the early evening and didn't have much time to settle in but I can already tell we will continue to enjoy the good life here. First of all, we scored a refurbished two bedroom apartment in a prime location (read: noise insulation for our two young boys). We're also already smitten with the list of activities available to residents. There will be no shortage of things to do. The best part is that my family is here with me and we can share together in all the experiences to come.
On that note, I'll sign off with a link to "Good Life," a song by One Republic. I often hear it on the radio (does anyone else still listen to music on this medium?) and think about how fitting it is these days.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Extreme Makeover: Foreign Service Family Edition
I'm not a huge fan of reality TV shows. Although I admit "The Amazing Race" gives me an occasional fix for my insatiable wanderlust, I never got hooked on "Survivor" and certainly didn't want to witness the decay of Western civilization as we know it in the form of MTV's "Jersey Shore". That being said, I can't help but be drawn to the myriad of made-for-TV makeovers these days because of what is happening in my life.
For starts, my family is preparing for the big move to Washington, DC on July 16. Thankfully, my wife and I will not be sporting sweaty bandanas during all-night packing sessions over the coming weeks. Instead, government-contracted movers will do the actual grunt work on our scheduled pack-out date (July 12). Sounds like smooth sailing, right? The catch is that we can only take 700 pounds of what is termed "Unaccompanied Air Baggage (UAB)." Besides the four stuffed suitcases that will accompany us on our cross-country plane ride, this all-important UAB shipment will constitute our primary belongings at our furnished apartment. The rest of our furniture and other household items will be stored at relatively inaccessible government warehouse in Maryland. I'm not sure if a living soul has actually seen this place but it makes me imagine this scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Anyway, the nitty gritty of our move from here on out involves three P's: purging, prioritization and more purging. In other words, what do we need and when do we need it? In order to "make weight" for the pack out, we have waged a war on our possessions with closet-to-closet combat. Our plan of attack has also included an all-day yard sale, donating to local charities and becoming savvy sellers on Craigslist and Amazon. With two superhero-obsessed boys, the toughest battle has been against the stockpiles of redundant toys (a.k.a. clutter of mass obstruction). I alone have faced a multitude of momentous decisions: Which one of the five Batman action figures should be kept? What should be done with those orphaned Little People? How much hardwood floor will we have for train tracks? Will either of my kids ever ride that damn tricycle I assembled one Christmas Eve several years ago? These are the questions that follow me around the house all day.
Other aspects of our lives will also receive an extreme makeover. For one, my wife and I will be trading roles of primary caregiver and my two boys will be in a completely new setting. I'm not too concerned about their well being this summer based on my glowing report of Oakwood and all the attractions DC has to offer. I should confess though that my oldest son is most excited about going to Target the day after we arrive because I promised him he could get a new Lego set. Am I bad for doling out a few other "lollipops" as well? He may be thinking our move is an extended vacation but at least he isn't dreading it. I've actually learned some good adjustment strategies through fellow Foreign Service families and have already begun implementing some of them. So what's the harm of acquiring a few extra puppies (j/k)?
Well, I should get back to my makeover regimen and that means more purging for the time being. I do feel this "slimming down" is good for us and the impending pack out does provide plenty of motivation. Jillian Michaels isn't yelling in my ear but maybe I'll be "The Biggest Loser" among my Foreign Service colleagues. See, who needs "reality" television?
For starts, my family is preparing for the big move to Washington, DC on July 16. Thankfully, my wife and I will not be sporting sweaty bandanas during all-night packing sessions over the coming weeks. Instead, government-contracted movers will do the actual grunt work on our scheduled pack-out date (July 12). Sounds like smooth sailing, right? The catch is that we can only take 700 pounds of what is termed "Unaccompanied Air Baggage (UAB)." Besides the four stuffed suitcases that will accompany us on our cross-country plane ride, this all-important UAB shipment will constitute our primary belongings at our furnished apartment. The rest of our furniture and other household items will be stored at relatively inaccessible government warehouse in Maryland. I'm not sure if a living soul has actually seen this place but it makes me imagine this scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Anyway, the nitty gritty of our move from here on out involves three P's: purging, prioritization and more purging. In other words, what do we need and when do we need it? In order to "make weight" for the pack out, we have waged a war on our possessions with closet-to-closet combat. Our plan of attack has also included an all-day yard sale, donating to local charities and becoming savvy sellers on Craigslist and Amazon. With two superhero-obsessed boys, the toughest battle has been against the stockpiles of redundant toys (a.k.a. clutter of mass obstruction). I alone have faced a multitude of momentous decisions: Which one of the five Batman action figures should be kept? What should be done with those orphaned Little People? How much hardwood floor will we have for train tracks? Will either of my kids ever ride that damn tricycle I assembled one Christmas Eve several years ago? These are the questions that follow me around the house all day.
Other aspects of our lives will also receive an extreme makeover. For one, my wife and I will be trading roles of primary caregiver and my two boys will be in a completely new setting. I'm not too concerned about their well being this summer based on my glowing report of Oakwood and all the attractions DC has to offer. I should confess though that my oldest son is most excited about going to Target the day after we arrive because I promised him he could get a new Lego set. Am I bad for doling out a few other "lollipops" as well? He may be thinking our move is an extended vacation but at least he isn't dreading it. I've actually learned some good adjustment strategies through fellow Foreign Service families and have already begun implementing some of them. So what's the harm of acquiring a few extra puppies (j/k)?
Well, I should get back to my makeover regimen and that means more purging for the time being. I do feel this "slimming down" is good for us and the impending pack out does provide plenty of motivation. Jillian Michaels isn't yelling in my ear but maybe I'll be "The Biggest Loser" among my Foreign Service colleagues. See, who needs "reality" television?
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Voyeuristic Voyage
Last night I got a sneak peek of my future life as a Foreign Service trainee at Oakwood in Falls Church, Virginia. All I can say is "me likey!" The highlights included seeing hotel-style housing nestled in a quiet suburb, kids of all ages frolicking in an outdoor pool, freshly-minted diplomats bonding over steaming seafood and ice cold beer, and non-stop talk about past and future travels (my personal favorite). All of this will be my part of my life beginning on July 18.
How did I get such a scintillating glimpse? Don't get the wrong idea. It was neither clandestine nor creepy. The short but sweet evening was actually a quick side trip during a book incubation seminar in which I participated in Washington, DC. The main purpose of the the all-day discussion was to receive expert feedback on my first crack at producing a scholarly manuscript that would contribute to our understanding of Middle East elections. Well, don't expect to pick up my highly-acclaimed book anytime soon. The past three years of dissertation work didn't appear to make muster in the exalted world of academia. Alas, maybe someone will want to publish my diplomatic memoirs one day (no, not you Wikileaks). But, I digress, as academics of all stripes tend to do.
Getting back to my Foreign Service tryst the night before, credit is entirely due to the hospitality afforded to me by Going Global, a former OA study buddy and Colorado resident who just began her A-100 training this week. She graciously invited me to visit on the day that newbies receive the highly anticipated list of available postings from which they will be assigned for their first two years. Now the countdown begins until I get my hot little hands on my own bid list. We'll see how much of my pre-conceived first tour preferences were merely wishful thinking.
In the meantime, things have been falling into place for the impending move. First and foremost, my wife received a coveted invite to the decisive stage of the foreign service officer hiring process and she scheduled her interview for September 9. She will be conveniently and comfortably located in nearby Falls Church, which by the way only took two emails for me to book our furnished apartment (more details forthcoming).
I'm feeling very confident that my young family will be happy in this interim environment. A decade ago my wife and I lived together just blocks from the U.S. Capitol amidst all the movers and shakers. We enjoyed being close to the action during those youthful and carefree years but having two small kids nowadays definitely creates a new calculus. I don't know about other diplomatic families in waiting but I fully intend to embrace the suburban lifestyle for a while. As this hilarious YouTube music video goes, "we'll be cruising in our swagger wagon!"
A final note and fitting end to this entry involves the salary offer I auspiciously received yesterday from my future employer after checking into my hotel just down the street from the State Department. Even though I had heard that some new hires have been pleasantly surprised by their compensation package, I was relieved and heartened to see how much my academic and professional experience factored into the final number. It convinced me that this is the right career for me and the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Thank you, Uncle Sam. See you soon!
A.B.
How did I get such a scintillating glimpse? Don't get the wrong idea. It was neither clandestine nor creepy. The short but sweet evening was actually a quick side trip during a book incubation seminar in which I participated in Washington, DC. The main purpose of the the all-day discussion was to receive expert feedback on my first crack at producing a scholarly manuscript that would contribute to our understanding of Middle East elections. Well, don't expect to pick up my highly-acclaimed book anytime soon. The past three years of dissertation work didn't appear to make muster in the exalted world of academia. Alas, maybe someone will want to publish my diplomatic memoirs one day (no, not you Wikileaks). But, I digress, as academics of all stripes tend to do.
Getting back to my Foreign Service tryst the night before, credit is entirely due to the hospitality afforded to me by Going Global, a former OA study buddy and Colorado resident who just began her A-100 training this week. She graciously invited me to visit on the day that newbies receive the highly anticipated list of available postings from which they will be assigned for their first two years. Now the countdown begins until I get my hot little hands on my own bid list. We'll see how much of my pre-conceived first tour preferences were merely wishful thinking.
In the meantime, things have been falling into place for the impending move. First and foremost, my wife received a coveted invite to the decisive stage of the foreign service officer hiring process and she scheduled her interview for September 9. She will be conveniently and comfortably located in nearby Falls Church, which by the way only took two emails for me to book our furnished apartment (more details forthcoming).
I'm feeling very confident that my young family will be happy in this interim environment. A decade ago my wife and I lived together just blocks from the U.S. Capitol amidst all the movers and shakers. We enjoyed being close to the action during those youthful and carefree years but having two small kids nowadays definitely creates a new calculus. I don't know about other diplomatic families in waiting but I fully intend to embrace the suburban lifestyle for a while. As this hilarious YouTube music video goes, "we'll be cruising in our swagger wagon!"
A final note and fitting end to this entry involves the salary offer I auspiciously received yesterday from my future employer after checking into my hotel just down the street from the State Department. Even though I had heard that some new hires have been pleasantly surprised by their compensation package, I was relieved and heartened to see how much my academic and professional experience factored into the final number. It convinced me that this is the right career for me and the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Thank you, Uncle Sam. See you soon!
A.B.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Who made "the call" possible
As many of you reading this new entry are probably aware, I received an official offer yesterday to join the next incoming class of Foreign Service Officers beginning on July 18. The "call" actually came in the form of a rather unceremonious email from a HR manager somewhere in the bowels of the State Department. I guess Hillary was too busy to give me a jingle. Hey, I'll take it though!
Yesterday was the culmination of not only a 18-month hiring process but also a lifelong dream of becoming a U.S. diplomat. Based on my coy "pre-announcement" blog nearly one month ago, some of you who don't know me well were probably expecting a more dramatic announcement yesterday. Unfortunately, I couldn't arrange a nationally-televised special to announce my "free-agency" decision: "I'm taking my talents to Foggy Bottom!" I was also tempted to scale my son's school and shout from the rooftop but I fear that the ensuing SWAT team deployment might have jeopardized my security clearance.
In all seriousness, it has been hard to balance the range of swirling emotions of fulfilling this dream. Since I "broke" the big news, a number of friends and family have commented graciously that they knew all my smarts and hard work would pay off (I'm a card-carrying nerd with a competitive streak inside me). I know that I was accepted into this highly coveted career track based on my own merits. I do, however, think that there are many people who enabled this achievement and supported me through all the various twists and turns to this point. While there is a natural tendency for my blogs to be self-centered, I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize some of those people here.
1) My parents first lit the fire in me for international travel and affairs. They took me out of sixth grade for a few weeks to accompany them to an international dog competition in Hungary where I experienced firsthand the Cold War reality of the iron curtain. For spring break of my senior year in high school, my dad handed me the reins to me to plan a side trip to Morocco. My parents would later bankroll my year studying abroad in Egypt and didn't entirely freak out when I told them that I was going to study Arabic in Yemen after graduating from college. Note: back then Yemen was a sleepy backwater of which people had only heard from a random episode of Friends. From that point, I was hopelessly infected with the travel bug but my parents deserve credit for nurturing this sense of curiosity and adventure in me. As an aside, I recently found an old picture of my late mother riding a camel in Morocco during her roaring twenties (I'll try to scan and post it later). I can only think that her spirit remains alive and well in me today.
2) My wife and children have been my most important support network over the past six years. The former endured my month-long sojourns for field research that enabled me to finish my dissertation and present a strong case to stone-faced interviewers why the time was right for me to join the Foreign Service. My two young sons also kept me grounded both literally and figuratively during the long wait for yesterday's offer. As many aspiring diplomats know, the hiring process is an exercise in patience that is laden with moments of acute anxiety along the way. Besides performing the routine tasks of child care every day, they helped me keep things in perspective. Minutes after learning the news yesterday morning, I was building legos and getting them ready to go to school. I confess that my head hasn't always been in the game over the last couple weeks (and particularly around 11:30am yesterday, sorry G!) but my family has been there for me and are now giving up a lot to follow me on this new journey.
There are obviously many others from whom I benefited and deserve my heartfelt appreciation. In the coming months, I will try to tell you personally how you helped make yesterday happen. For inquiring minds that want to know, I'll also share more in my next blog about what comes next, including details about where we will be living and our departure date. In the meantime, it's time to get to back to work and prepare for this new and exciting chapter in my life. Thank you to everyone who helped me turn the proverbial page yesterday!
Yesterday was the culmination of not only a 18-month hiring process but also a lifelong dream of becoming a U.S. diplomat. Based on my coy "pre-announcement" blog nearly one month ago, some of you who don't know me well were probably expecting a more dramatic announcement yesterday. Unfortunately, I couldn't arrange a nationally-televised special to announce my "free-agency" decision: "I'm taking my talents to Foggy Bottom!" I was also tempted to scale my son's school and shout from the rooftop but I fear that the ensuing SWAT team deployment might have jeopardized my security clearance.
In all seriousness, it has been hard to balance the range of swirling emotions of fulfilling this dream. Since I "broke" the big news, a number of friends and family have commented graciously that they knew all my smarts and hard work would pay off (I'm a card-carrying nerd with a competitive streak inside me). I know that I was accepted into this highly coveted career track based on my own merits. I do, however, think that there are many people who enabled this achievement and supported me through all the various twists and turns to this point. While there is a natural tendency for my blogs to be self-centered, I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize some of those people here.
1) My parents first lit the fire in me for international travel and affairs. They took me out of sixth grade for a few weeks to accompany them to an international dog competition in Hungary where I experienced firsthand the Cold War reality of the iron curtain. For spring break of my senior year in high school, my dad handed me the reins to me to plan a side trip to Morocco. My parents would later bankroll my year studying abroad in Egypt and didn't entirely freak out when I told them that I was going to study Arabic in Yemen after graduating from college. Note: back then Yemen was a sleepy backwater of which people had only heard from a random episode of Friends. From that point, I was hopelessly infected with the travel bug but my parents deserve credit for nurturing this sense of curiosity and adventure in me. As an aside, I recently found an old picture of my late mother riding a camel in Morocco during her roaring twenties (I'll try to scan and post it later). I can only think that her spirit remains alive and well in me today.
2) My wife and children have been my most important support network over the past six years. The former endured my month-long sojourns for field research that enabled me to finish my dissertation and present a strong case to stone-faced interviewers why the time was right for me to join the Foreign Service. My two young sons also kept me grounded both literally and figuratively during the long wait for yesterday's offer. As many aspiring diplomats know, the hiring process is an exercise in patience that is laden with moments of acute anxiety along the way. Besides performing the routine tasks of child care every day, they helped me keep things in perspective. Minutes after learning the news yesterday morning, I was building legos and getting them ready to go to school. I confess that my head hasn't always been in the game over the last couple weeks (and particularly around 11:30am yesterday, sorry G!) but my family has been there for me and are now giving up a lot to follow me on this new journey.
There are obviously many others from whom I benefited and deserve my heartfelt appreciation. In the coming months, I will try to tell you personally how you helped make yesterday happen. For inquiring minds that want to know, I'll also share more in my next blog about what comes next, including details about where we will be living and our departure date. In the meantime, it's time to get to back to work and prepare for this new and exciting chapter in my life. Thank you to everyone who helped me turn the proverbial page yesterday!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Pre-Announcment Announcement
Today's world is full of non-decisions, over-hyped "breaking news" and faux apologies. Jon Stewart brilliantly satirized the "pre-announcement" last fall with a series of teasers (watch one clip here) for his "Rally to Restore Sanity." I am taking a page out of his book because there have been a few tantalizing developments on the Foreign Service front over the past few days. Here's the skinny:
This long-awaited yet unexpected offer was bittersweet, however. For one, the class begins in just over one lunar month! Talk about a stressful pack out and send off. Second, there are a number of personal and professional reasons for me to be at home for the first part of the summer. I won't go into them here but it is suffice to say that this will probably be one of the last times of my upcoming diplomatic career that I get to exert some control over when something happens.
Where am I going with this? What's the announcement? Why are you still reading this? Without further ado, I have decided to take the following course of action:
Sorry to disappoint those who were hoping for a bigger announcement. But since I got your attention, here's a shameless plug for future entries while I nervously await the next round of invites:
Okay, that last one was a joke. Stay tuned for real announcements in the future though!
- During my (very) routine check of the online message boards on Tuesday morning, a few people dropped the bombshell that they had just received email invites for the next A-100 class--beginning on May 23! This class had been cancelled as a result of the budget showdown but the State Department powers-that-be apparently decided to resurrect it.
- Over the following days, a number of offers went out to candidates in various cones. My number almost came up yesterday afternoon leading me to believe an offer was imminent. Needless to say, not much sleep was had last night. Only re-runs of the Golden Girls kept me company.
- Low and behold, the magic email appeared at 7:47am today. Despite its bewildering array of colors and fonts, I knew instantly what it was--my own official offer to join the Foreign Service! For those who live in Denver, it stopped raining and the sun came out at that precise time.
This long-awaited yet unexpected offer was bittersweet, however. For one, the class begins in just over one lunar month! Talk about a stressful pack out and send off. Second, there are a number of personal and professional reasons for me to be at home for the first part of the summer. I won't go into them here but it is suffice to say that this will probably be one of the last times of my upcoming diplomatic career that I get to exert some control over when something happens.
Where am I going with this? What's the announcement? Why are you still reading this? Without further ado, I have decided to take the following course of action:
- I will let the offer sit for another day even though all of the pros and cons have been debated endlessly in my head and with my wife (God bless her) over the past couple days.
- I will decline the offer for May with the knowledge that I stand a good chance of receiving another offer for July or September.
- I will purchase industrial strength lotion for all the hand-wringing over the next several weeks. For penance, I will send good bid list karma to Foreign Service comrades who accepted their offers.
- I WILL accept the next offer I receive. If I don't, my candidacy is terminated and this blog becomes the "pity the fool" of the Foreign Service blogosphere.
Sorry to disappoint those who were hoping for a bigger announcement. But since I got your attention, here's a shameless plug for future entries while I nervously await the next round of invites:
- I'll introduce Mrs. DiploDad and explain our plans for the forthcoming A-100. Keeping with Foreign Service blogging etiquette, she'll receive her very own MI6-style pseudonym.
- I'll share what happens when I break the news to my two young sons that I'm turning their life upside down. I might as well tell them about the birds and bees too.
- I'll post a copy of President Obama's original birth certificate and explain my endorsement of Donald Trump for President in 2012.
Okay, that last one was a joke. Stay tuned for real announcements in the future though!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Anxiety and Anticipation
I've been on cloud nine for the past couple months looking forward to my Foreign Service career on the not-so-distant horizon. I often daydream about my first post and relish in the thought of my wife and I leading rockstar lives as a Foreign Service power couple. Over the last week though, some of this fantasizing has given way to a sense of anxiety and anticipation, hence the title of this blog.
First of all, I learned that my rank on the political register has slipped six spots. I now sit at 26, which is still relatively secure but might not be high enough for a call to the next class tentatively scheduled to begin on July 18. I might have to wait until the following class in September or even two months beyond then. The delay wouldn't be all bad but I have grown increasingly eager to begin my career.
My fortunes these days are mostly being driven by the federal budget impasse. Until Congress and Obama agree on a budget for the remainder of the fiscal year, the State Department has no hiring authority. Although there are a range of different scenarios, I personally think an agreement will be reached around the April 8 deadline and offers for the July class will start going out soon thereafter. I will be following the news from Washington closely and then checking my email even more compulsively. I am counting on a number of factors but unfortunately they are all beyond my control.
Secondly, my wife is now awaiting word whether she will proceed to the next stage of the Foreign Service selection process. She just submitted her Personal Narrative Questions (PNQs) tonight and will probably find out the results in the next month or two. PNQs ask potential candidates to describe various skills such as leadership, communication and intellect. This ain't your typical job cover letter. Boilerplate language won't cut it. The responses must reflect both breadth and depth in experience while highlighting results in a very succinct manner. We've worked late the last couple nights on fine tuning her responses. I'm obviously biased but I can honestly say that they are exceptional. If she does not receive a passing score, it will be because the level of competition and hiring slowdown have raised the bar to near insurmountable standards. If she does pass, we will celebrate together and then she will start preparing for the decisive Oral Assessment sometime after the summer.
Well, that about sums up my current state of mind. Hoping for good news to share in my next posting.
First of all, I learned that my rank on the political register has slipped six spots. I now sit at 26, which is still relatively secure but might not be high enough for a call to the next class tentatively scheduled to begin on July 18. I might have to wait until the following class in September or even two months beyond then. The delay wouldn't be all bad but I have grown increasingly eager to begin my career.
My fortunes these days are mostly being driven by the federal budget impasse. Until Congress and Obama agree on a budget for the remainder of the fiscal year, the State Department has no hiring authority. Although there are a range of different scenarios, I personally think an agreement will be reached around the April 8 deadline and offers for the July class will start going out soon thereafter. I will be following the news from Washington closely and then checking my email even more compulsively. I am counting on a number of factors but unfortunately they are all beyond my control.
Secondly, my wife is now awaiting word whether she will proceed to the next stage of the Foreign Service selection process. She just submitted her Personal Narrative Questions (PNQs) tonight and will probably find out the results in the next month or two. PNQs ask potential candidates to describe various skills such as leadership, communication and intellect. This ain't your typical job cover letter. Boilerplate language won't cut it. The responses must reflect both breadth and depth in experience while highlighting results in a very succinct manner. We've worked late the last couple nights on fine tuning her responses. I'm obviously biased but I can honestly say that they are exceptional. If she does not receive a passing score, it will be because the level of competition and hiring slowdown have raised the bar to near insurmountable standards. If she does pass, we will celebrate together and then she will start preparing for the decisive Oral Assessment sometime after the summer.
Well, that about sums up my current state of mind. Hoping for good news to share in my next posting.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
First Post Preferences
First of all, this post is a bit silly. I am a long ways from shipping out for the Foreign Service. I have not even received an official "call" and will have no idea about possible postings until I begin orientation in DC. That hasn't stopped me from incessant daydreaming though. In fact, I have been having recurring dreams about being assigned to random posts, which I have gleaned from others going through this process is very common. Just to show how my subconscious mind works in mysterious ways, I was weighing the pros and cons of Bujumbura (Burundi) and Nouakchott (Mauritania) several weeks ago and last night it was the social life in Baghdad's embassy compound. Go figure.
Anyway, in an attempt to put some of these ruminations to bed (literally and figuratively) and since so many people ask where I am headed, I've decided to state my preferences for potential postings. Keep in mind these preferences could change (maybe after my wife reads this tonight). Nevertheless, I thought it would be a good idea to record some preliminary preferences to guide my thinking later on.
Without further ado, here are my three rank-ordered preferences accompanied by a brief rationale:
1) Political officer opportunities: Although most available postings for first timers are consular because of the high demand for immigrant visa services, I would like to have some opportunities to perform some of the responsibilities of a political officer in my first tour and, if not, definitely in the second. This is by no means a sure thing but I'm hoping that making it my first preference will help. I have heard that there is a limited number of political jobs in each bid list with a few assignments split between consular and political duties. Those posts, almost regardless of location, would appeal to me. My understanding is that some smaller posts also allow new officers to serve in various roles. In short, I feel that it is very important that my new career entail something related to my academic and professional background in politics. After all, this cone is why I wanted to join the Foreign Service in the first place.
2) Safe environment for family: My wife and kids are along for the Foreign Service ride, for better and worse, so the least I can do is mitigate the latter in terms of living conditions. More than half of the State Department posts around the world are classified as "hardship" not so much because they are in war torn countries ravaged by endemic disease, but because the living standards are below what we enjoy in the United States. The reality is that I will serve in several posts that are hot, crowded and polluted. I feel there are ways to deal with those inconveniences. I do not, however, want to go somewhere with rampant crime and indiscriminate violence such as any of the Mexican border posts. Bear in mind that U.S. embassies go to great lengths to ensure the safety of their personnel but the mental wellbeing of my family is of utmost importance. For this reason, my family would not accompany me to a post where the normal everyday environment was unsafe. Hopefully this preference will not come into play.
3) Arabic-speaking post: Sorry to disappoint those who were pining to visit us in Rome next year. We will likely enjoy a cushy European post later in my career but not as a newbie. In fact, I am required to serve one of my first two tours in an Arabic-speaking post and would strongly prefer to meet this requirement at the outset so I have more latitude while bidding for my second tour. I also happen to feel a strong call of duty in light of the profound changes in the Middle East. Given the swelling registers of eligible candidates for the Foreign Service, I am also fortunate that my Arabic proficiency is my ticket in and I suspect it eventually will be for my wife as well. And finally, don't think that we will be stationed in some desert wasteland. Believe it or not, the Arab world has a lot of diversity and some capitals are very cosmopolitan. A posting in Morocco would be ideal because of its politics, food and people. Other attractive family-friendly posts include Jordan, Israel (Jerusalem), Syria and Oman.
This exercise obviously entails a lot of wishful thinking but I do think it is grounded in reality. It will also be fun to look back on this post before I present my actual preferences to the Career Development Officer who will use them to help determine my first assignment. Right now, I will just have to commiserate with other diplomats in waiting who have bid list envy and follow other bloggers who provide flag day recaps with overjoyed reports about assignments matching their preferences.
Unfortunately, all of the uncertainty surrounding the federal budget has cast a dark cloud over the "Foreign Service wannabe" blogosphere. The HR Department announced today the cancellation of a previously scheduled orientation class for May. I had taken myself off the call list for this class but am hopeful of entering the next one in mid-July. In the meantime, I'll share any new developments (instead of weird dreams) and continue to throw darts at my world map on the wall.
Anyway, in an attempt to put some of these ruminations to bed (literally and figuratively) and since so many people ask where I am headed, I've decided to state my preferences for potential postings. Keep in mind these preferences could change (maybe after my wife reads this tonight). Nevertheless, I thought it would be a good idea to record some preliminary preferences to guide my thinking later on.
Without further ado, here are my three rank-ordered preferences accompanied by a brief rationale:
1) Political officer opportunities: Although most available postings for first timers are consular because of the high demand for immigrant visa services, I would like to have some opportunities to perform some of the responsibilities of a political officer in my first tour and, if not, definitely in the second. This is by no means a sure thing but I'm hoping that making it my first preference will help. I have heard that there is a limited number of political jobs in each bid list with a few assignments split between consular and political duties. Those posts, almost regardless of location, would appeal to me. My understanding is that some smaller posts also allow new officers to serve in various roles. In short, I feel that it is very important that my new career entail something related to my academic and professional background in politics. After all, this cone is why I wanted to join the Foreign Service in the first place.
2) Safe environment for family: My wife and kids are along for the Foreign Service ride, for better and worse, so the least I can do is mitigate the latter in terms of living conditions. More than half of the State Department posts around the world are classified as "hardship" not so much because they are in war torn countries ravaged by endemic disease, but because the living standards are below what we enjoy in the United States. The reality is that I will serve in several posts that are hot, crowded and polluted. I feel there are ways to deal with those inconveniences. I do not, however, want to go somewhere with rampant crime and indiscriminate violence such as any of the Mexican border posts. Bear in mind that U.S. embassies go to great lengths to ensure the safety of their personnel but the mental wellbeing of my family is of utmost importance. For this reason, my family would not accompany me to a post where the normal everyday environment was unsafe. Hopefully this preference will not come into play.
3) Arabic-speaking post: Sorry to disappoint those who were pining to visit us in Rome next year. We will likely enjoy a cushy European post later in my career but not as a newbie. In fact, I am required to serve one of my first two tours in an Arabic-speaking post and would strongly prefer to meet this requirement at the outset so I have more latitude while bidding for my second tour. I also happen to feel a strong call of duty in light of the profound changes in the Middle East. Given the swelling registers of eligible candidates for the Foreign Service, I am also fortunate that my Arabic proficiency is my ticket in and I suspect it eventually will be for my wife as well. And finally, don't think that we will be stationed in some desert wasteland. Believe it or not, the Arab world has a lot of diversity and some capitals are very cosmopolitan. A posting in Morocco would be ideal because of its politics, food and people. Other attractive family-friendly posts include Jordan, Israel (Jerusalem), Syria and Oman.
This exercise obviously entails a lot of wishful thinking but I do think it is grounded in reality. It will also be fun to look back on this post before I present my actual preferences to the Career Development Officer who will use them to help determine my first assignment. Right now, I will just have to commiserate with other diplomats in waiting who have bid list envy and follow other bloggers who provide flag day recaps with overjoyed reports about assignments matching their preferences.
Unfortunately, all of the uncertainty surrounding the federal budget has cast a dark cloud over the "Foreign Service wannabe" blogosphere. The HR Department announced today the cancellation of a previously scheduled orientation class for May. I had taken myself off the call list for this class but am hopeful of entering the next one in mid-July. In the meantime, I'll share any new developments (instead of weird dreams) and continue to throw darts at my world map on the wall.
 |
| "No, I don't really do this. I haven't gone off the deep end yet!" |
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Things falling into place...
Just quickly wanted to share some exciting new developments on the Foreign Service front:
1) First and foremost, my wife received the good news today that she passed the Foreign Service Written Exam (FSWE), which is the first step in becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO)! She still has a long ways to go before we rock the world together as a FSO tandem but this is a real accomplishment given the unspoken fact that the test has become more challenging. To prepare over the last couple months, I mercilessly thrust upon her wonkish books about economic and foreign policy. She also spent a good chunk of her precious free time reviewing basic American civics. On the day of the exam, she had to endure a snow storm and the computerized testing system crashing not one, but twice over a grueling 5-hour afternoon! Now the next step involves submitting a series of concise essays to assess intellectual, interpersonal, managerial skills. If her responses impress an all-powerful panel of nameless bureaucrats, she'll be invited to the decisive oral assessment. Stay tuned. In the meantime, I am so proud of her!
2) The second piece of news involves my potential start date. I had previously opted to defer until September. There were a variety of good reasons for this decision but I have been going back and forth over the last couple weeks. As of tonight, I have decided to make myself available for the July class. In a nutshell, the current budget impasse leads me to believe that it would best to begin training sooner rather than later. My position is relatively secure but all the bravado coming from Capitol Hill does cause some concern. In fact, some members of Congress (sitting in their leather armchairs) have called to "cut the fat" from the State Department budget. I don't think many of them understand the importance of diplomacy these days and the work our diplomats do. With all the recent strife in the Middle East, has anyone noticed that not a single American has been taken hostage or killed? Boys and girls, that fact is because of the dedication and hard work of thousands of FSOs who have been negotiating with local actors and coordinating the evacuation of citizens. We need more of them in hotspots.
3) The third tidbit relates to my academic endeavors. As I mentioned in my last blog, the protests and revolutions sweeping across the Middle East have not only cast stones against decrepit regimes but also the central argument of my dissertation. Well, I've managed to regain my footing and find some relevance for my ideas. I recently published an online article about prospects for future elections in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen. More importantly, I will also be traveling to DC at the end of May for a book incubation seminar. I am really excited about this opportunity and feel very lucky to have a group of preeminent scholars who will be reviewing my manuscript. Having just finished teaching a course, I can now devote myself to this project. My hope is to have a book under contract before I begin my Foreign Service career. It would be an excellent calling card!
Well, that's all for now. I'll share more thoughts in the weeks ahead.
1) First and foremost, my wife received the good news today that she passed the Foreign Service Written Exam (FSWE), which is the first step in becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO)! She still has a long ways to go before we rock the world together as a FSO tandem but this is a real accomplishment given the unspoken fact that the test has become more challenging. To prepare over the last couple months, I mercilessly thrust upon her wonkish books about economic and foreign policy. She also spent a good chunk of her precious free time reviewing basic American civics. On the day of the exam, she had to endure a snow storm and the computerized testing system crashing not one, but twice over a grueling 5-hour afternoon! Now the next step involves submitting a series of concise essays to assess intellectual, interpersonal, managerial skills. If her responses impress an all-powerful panel of nameless bureaucrats, she'll be invited to the decisive oral assessment. Stay tuned. In the meantime, I am so proud of her!
2) The second piece of news involves my potential start date. I had previously opted to defer until September. There were a variety of good reasons for this decision but I have been going back and forth over the last couple weeks. As of tonight, I have decided to make myself available for the July class. In a nutshell, the current budget impasse leads me to believe that it would best to begin training sooner rather than later. My position is relatively secure but all the bravado coming from Capitol Hill does cause some concern. In fact, some members of Congress (sitting in their leather armchairs) have called to "cut the fat" from the State Department budget. I don't think many of them understand the importance of diplomacy these days and the work our diplomats do. With all the recent strife in the Middle East, has anyone noticed that not a single American has been taken hostage or killed? Boys and girls, that fact is because of the dedication and hard work of thousands of FSOs who have been negotiating with local actors and coordinating the evacuation of citizens. We need more of them in hotspots.
3) The third tidbit relates to my academic endeavors. As I mentioned in my last blog, the protests and revolutions sweeping across the Middle East have not only cast stones against decrepit regimes but also the central argument of my dissertation. Well, I've managed to regain my footing and find some relevance for my ideas. I recently published an online article about prospects for future elections in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen. More importantly, I will also be traveling to DC at the end of May for a book incubation seminar. I am really excited about this opportunity and feel very lucky to have a group of preeminent scholars who will be reviewing my manuscript. Having just finished teaching a course, I can now devote myself to this project. My hope is to have a book under contract before I begin my Foreign Service career. It would be an excellent calling card!
Well, that's all for now. I'll share more thoughts in the weeks ahead.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
On the verge of a bold new frontier
This inaugural post attempts to answer some of the frequently asked questions about the process of becoming a foreign service officer and what lies ahead. In the future, I promise to share my thoughts about less esoteric and byzantine topics--all without divulging any state secrets. You can go to Wikileaks for that!
To begin, getting a job in the Foreign Service is an exercise in patience and persistence. Tens of thousands of people apply every year but only a couple hundred are hired. The spaghetti flow chart below illustrates the long and windy road that many travel. In reality, few reach the final destination of becoming a diplomat.
What stage of the process am I in now?
Fortunately, my path has not been too circuitous and I am tantalizingly close to the "blue star" at the bottom left! As of January 19, I am on the official register of candidates awaiting appointment to the Foreign Service. I am a register for those in the Political Affairs track, which currently has over 200 other eligible candidates. There are four other tracks, or "cones", each with their own rank-ordered register. The ranking on the register is extremely important in determining when (or if) I receive a formal job offer from the State Department.
What is my rank on the Political Register?
My rank is based on the score from the Oral Assessment (OA) I took back in October plus bonus points for any language proficiency or military service. In my case, I passed the OA with the minimum score (5.3) but am very fortunate to receive a .5 boost for my dormant Arabic which is obviously in high demand these days. With my combined score of 5.8 (ka-ching!), I expect to be ranked in the 20s on the Political Register. It is important to note that the register is dynamic and my ranking will change based on incoming/outgoing candidacies on the register. Only a select number of candidates receive a "call" to join the Foreign Service based on the State Department budget and hiring needs. Sadly, people with lower rankings often languish on the register for months and some candidacies even expire.
When do I expect a call?
As far as I can tell, every candidate with a score of 5.8 on the Political Register has eventually received a "call" to join the Foreign Service. My score and rank will likely result in a call for the next class for incoming Foreign Service Officers, tentatively scheduled to begin at the end of May. The calls usually go out 2-3 months before the class so that means I should expect a call within the next few weeks. Yikes! But wait, hold off on that going away party. My perch at the upper end of the register gives me the luxury of deferring my start until later.
When do I plan to start?
I am still weighing various factors and considerations about start dates but I am leaning towards accepting a call to begin in September. In my next post, I will probably share my ongoing thinking about this matter. In short, my heart wants me to start as soon as possible but my head tells me to wait until the fall. After accepting the long-awaited call, I begin a 6-week orientation class in DC known as A-100. Regardless of when I start, I will be going solo to A-100 until I find out my first assignment.
When do I get my first assignment?
In the first or second week of A-100, all members of the class are given an identical list of all the posts that are available for our first tour. Using guidance from a career development officer, the language restrictions (I need to use my Arabic in one of my first two tours), and other considerations, I will "bid" on the available posts, ranking each as a high, medium, or low. I think about this constantly. It is obviously a source of considerable anxiety but, for me, this will be the ultimate "kid in a candy store" moment (assuming the bid list is not entirely comprised of Mexican border posts). The climax will come at a ceremony known as Flag Day, during which all first-tour assignments are given out along with their corresponding departure dates.
When do I (we) leave?
I have already learned that "it depends" is the most common refrain of life in the Foreign Service. My first assignment will entail some training after A-100 concludes in October. I estimate the departure date could range anywhere between 1-9 months from then. As for when I and/or the family is leaving, "we" is in parentheses because there is the possibility that I leave by myself for the first post and the family follows sometime later. I promise to provide more of my thinking on that later too.
Well, that should suffice for this first post. I hope it addresses the many questions out there. It was largely informational and hopefully not too boring for inquiring minds who want to know about "what kind of food they eat over there." I've still got a ways to go before I'm comparing curries but I will try to "spice up" future posts. Stay tuned!
To begin, getting a job in the Foreign Service is an exercise in patience and persistence. Tens of thousands of people apply every year but only a couple hundred are hired. The spaghetti flow chart below illustrates the long and windy road that many travel. In reality, few reach the final destination of becoming a diplomat.
What stage of the process am I in now?
Fortunately, my path has not been too circuitous and I am tantalizingly close to the "blue star" at the bottom left! As of January 19, I am on the official register of candidates awaiting appointment to the Foreign Service. I am a register for those in the Political Affairs track, which currently has over 200 other eligible candidates. There are four other tracks, or "cones", each with their own rank-ordered register. The ranking on the register is extremely important in determining when (or if) I receive a formal job offer from the State Department.
What is my rank on the Political Register?
My rank is based on the score from the Oral Assessment (OA) I took back in October plus bonus points for any language proficiency or military service. In my case, I passed the OA with the minimum score (5.3) but am very fortunate to receive a .5 boost for my dormant Arabic which is obviously in high demand these days. With my combined score of 5.8 (ka-ching!), I expect to be ranked in the 20s on the Political Register. It is important to note that the register is dynamic and my ranking will change based on incoming/outgoing candidacies on the register. Only a select number of candidates receive a "call" to join the Foreign Service based on the State Department budget and hiring needs. Sadly, people with lower rankings often languish on the register for months and some candidacies even expire.
When do I expect a call?
As far as I can tell, every candidate with a score of 5.8 on the Political Register has eventually received a "call" to join the Foreign Service. My score and rank will likely result in a call for the next class for incoming Foreign Service Officers, tentatively scheduled to begin at the end of May. The calls usually go out 2-3 months before the class so that means I should expect a call within the next few weeks. Yikes! But wait, hold off on that going away party. My perch at the upper end of the register gives me the luxury of deferring my start until later.
When do I plan to start?
I am still weighing various factors and considerations about start dates but I am leaning towards accepting a call to begin in September. In my next post, I will probably share my ongoing thinking about this matter. In short, my heart wants me to start as soon as possible but my head tells me to wait until the fall. After accepting the long-awaited call, I begin a 6-week orientation class in DC known as A-100. Regardless of when I start, I will be going solo to A-100 until I find out my first assignment.
When do I get my first assignment?
In the first or second week of A-100, all members of the class are given an identical list of all the posts that are available for our first tour. Using guidance from a career development officer, the language restrictions (I need to use my Arabic in one of my first two tours), and other considerations, I will "bid" on the available posts, ranking each as a high, medium, or low. I think about this constantly. It is obviously a source of considerable anxiety but, for me, this will be the ultimate "kid in a candy store" moment (assuming the bid list is not entirely comprised of Mexican border posts). The climax will come at a ceremony known as Flag Day, during which all first-tour assignments are given out along with their corresponding departure dates.
When do I (we) leave?
I have already learned that "it depends" is the most common refrain of life in the Foreign Service. My first assignment will entail some training after A-100 concludes in October. I estimate the departure date could range anywhere between 1-9 months from then. As for when I and/or the family is leaving, "we" is in parentheses because there is the possibility that I leave by myself for the first post and the family follows sometime later. I promise to provide more of my thinking on that later too.
Well, that should suffice for this first post. I hope it addresses the many questions out there. It was largely informational and hopefully not too boring for inquiring minds who want to know about "what kind of food they eat over there." I've still got a ways to go before I'm comparing curries but I will try to "spice up" future posts. Stay tuned!
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