In D.C., starting orientation
I made it to D.C. this past Sunday and jumped in with orientation yesterday. I am part of the 116th Specialist Class, training concurrently with the 156th A-100 class. I haven’t had a chance to network as much as I’d like with my classmates, but they’re an interesting bunch. I’ve met a couple of former lawyers who left their jobs to join the Foreign Service (and took big pay cuts in the process), a number of people with advanced degrees, several EFMs looking to become tandem couples, quite a few transferring from other government agencies, a handful of former military personnel, even a couple of former ESL teachers like myself!
I’ve only been in orientation two days, but with everything we’re covering it feels more like two weeks! Yesterday was something called “in-processing” – basically lots of paperwork and powerpoints on government benefits. Personally I found some of the presentations kind of interesting, but then again I’m kind of a geek I suppose. However it did give me a chance to visit Main State (a.k.a. the Harry S. Truman Building), which made the whole day a bit more interesting.
Today I started orientation at FSI, where I will be for the next three weeks. The orientation class is basically a slightly shorter, more condensed version of the well-known A-100 class taken by incoming FSOs. The class is kind of information overload, an attempt to fit everything you could possibly need to know into a few short weeks. We’re also covering bid lists – I won’t comment on details yet, except to say that as I predicted, it looks like my first tour will probably be in the D.C. area. Glad I started early on the search for permanent housing.
I also need to purchase a car, furniture, household goods – pretty much everything in the next couple of weeks. I came over with two suitcases and am probably the only person in my class who didn’t use the UAB or HHE allotment on my travel orders because I just don’t own enough stuff to ship here! I am also without a doubt the only person in my class who doesn’t already own a car (although being carless in D.C. isn’t as bad as I was expecting – thank god for the Metro). Looks like the next couple of weekends are going to be all about shopping…
It’s Friday, and that means that the Weekly State Department Blog Roundup is up – and you’re on it!
Here is the link: http://cyberbones.blogspot.com/2010/09/weekly-round-up.html
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You may want to wait on purchasing a car until you find out where you’re going, unless you’re planning on buying a 2010. I bought a 2006 five weeks before I left post, only to find that Post’s rules changed midstream and got screwed in the process.
Enjoy orientation and good luck with bidding!
Actually the hiring is a bit different for my specialty – I haven’t gone through flag day yet, but everything I was offered for bidding is in D.C. so it’s pretty much a done deal that I’ll be in the D.C. area for the next two years.
Thanks for the advice though – the import restrictions on autos are confusing to say the least! I’m thinking about buying new if I do need a car, so hopefully I’ll be less likely to run into issues if I want to take the car to post in mid-2012.