Target Completion Date

October 20, 2009. Let's hope that my TS investigation stays on target! My case coordinator has been very helpful, as have the rest of my investigators. I am hoping that being in the consular cone is helping to speed up my clearance. I will find out in approximately one month!

The Shoulders are Unburdened

I had my security investigation meeting on the 10th, and I have to say that I am feeling much better after having met with my investigator. He was very professional, friendly, and made me feel immediately at ease. We went through the standard questions (160 or so, though I was not asked all of them) and then the two follow-up personal questions.

So far, six investigators have been involved in my case (a lot!), but they are all getting things done in a timely manner. I definitely appreciate that. My tax problems have been cleared up, and I was issued a Certificate of Compliance, meaning that I am completely up-to-date as of right now with my taxes, and nothing is outstanding or owed on my account. Fantastic! I was able to get this to my investigation coordinator within two hours of his request this morning. I am feeling much more confident in my ability to claim a TS clearance. I hope I am not proved wrong!

Now, I'm just waiting to hear back (I'm sure it will be a few months). I am keeping my fingers crossed for an invite to the 150th A-100 in January.

Moving Right Along

My face-to-face meeting with my security investigator takes place tomorrow afternoon. I'm a bit nervous, but I'm sure it will go okay.

Here's to (hopeful) articulation!

Pandora's Box

My security investigation has been opened and two of my contacts have been, well, contacted. And I have SO much to accomplish before I meet with my security investigator. (Insert sigh here.)

A year ago I wouldn't have predicted myself being where I am today; maybe in a few years, sure, but not here, not now. And certainly I wouldn't have predicted this back in 2002. Which is a shame. As a decidedly naive 20-something, I neglected to take care of my taxes the way they should have been. Federal? Filed. State? Not so much. After a call to the DoR, I realized that I was missing SEVEN years of state taxes. This isn't to say that I OWE seven years of state taxes; I merely neglected to file them. In reality, they owe me a refund for each year I missed, but I won't be receiving those refunds now, and the absenteeism of paperwork is making me look rather foolish and irresponsible. I can only hope that my status of not owing taxes will be a large mitigating factor in having security and suitability panels vote in my favor.

Otherwise, dear readers, I am officially up the metaphorical river without a paddle. At least until next year.

Consider this my lesson learned.

Some Good News

I took and passed the Oral Assessment on Monday, 8/3, at Annex 1 with a score of 5.4. I am beyond thrilled. The entire thing doesn't quite feel real to me. I passed the GE and the SI, but failed the CM. I pretty much figured that's how it would go.

Now it's playing the waiting game, hoping my security clearance goes quickly. I'm off to the doctor on Friday for my medical tests. Fingers crossed! Right now it's time for a nap and some enjoyment of some serious downtime.

From Annex 44 to Annex 1

I found out a couple of weeks ago that my testing venue was changed from Annex 44 to Annex 1. I won't let it get to me too much, though I have to say I'm disappointed about having to eat Subway for lunch and being kept inside all day. I would have loved to have walked the National Mall on my breaks. Oh well; it's more about studying to do well!

Something to look forward to

I scheduled my OA this morning; I will be testing at Annex 44 on August 3 at 7 a.m. Now begins the studying phase and tackling the beast that is the SF-86.

An Update From Trichy

I'm currently writing this from a room in Trichy (Tiruchirapalli), India. I'm here for a friend's sister's wedding on the 3rd. My trip here and to Chennai (capital of the Tamil Nadu state) has been really nice. I got a few salwar kameezes custom-made, as well as two saris (or sarees, depending on where you're from). The country is beautiful, but perhaps not quite in the traditional way Americans think. There are many ramshackle buildings with thatched roofs made from the fronds of palm trees, and poured cement houses that are showing their age with water stains and chipped facades. The streets are often cracked and filled with potholes (when paved), lined with garbage through which the cows, goats, dogs, and pigs pick. But still, it is colorful, warm, inviting, and incredibly hospitable. I have loved every moment here. I can only hope that once/if I make it through the Foreign Service process that I might be posted in Chennai to serve my three years.

Speaking of the Foreign Service, I am very happy to announce that on May 26, as I drove to Logan Airport, I found out that I passed the QEP. This thrilled me to no end, and was the perfect way to start a vacation. I really am very surprised at having passed because on paper I am a rather underwhelming candidate. However, I think that my customer service background coupled with some strong, well-written personal narratives gave BEX enough confidence in me to invite me to the Oral Assessment. Perhaps I might not have made it before the hiring boom under the Obama administration, but that doesn't matter to me. The fact is, I have been given the chance to showcase my abilities and try to gain a spot on the Consular register (and thereby a position in the Foreign Service, as everyone is being called off the Consular and Management registers these days).

I'm very happy and thankful for this opportunity, and I refuse to squander it. In just a few weeks I will pick a date that suits me, and I will prepare for a day in Washington.

Deeping my cultural awareness

I'm going to India in six weeks. How exciting! :D

Diplomat-in-Residence Session

This past weekend (4/4) I attended a very informative session about the Oral Assessment with Ambassador Bill Eaton, who is the Diplomat-in-Residence at the University of Texas here in Austin. Technically you're not supposed to attend until you've passed the QEP and are scheduled to attend the OA, but I let him know that I was still waiting to hear back on my QEP results; he let me attend. I am thankful for this because I'm moving back to Massachusetts in a few weeks' time.

We watched a video of what to expect during the oral assessment (structured interview and group exercise, but nothing on case management--then again, what could you really watch on video about that part?), and it was really nice to see what we're potentially up against. I've been doing a lot of reading on the Yahoo boards re: what to expect at the OA, but seeing it on the video clarified the smaller things in my mind.

Also, I really have to speak to the great personality of Ambassador Eaton. He was incredibly friendly, articulate, and personable. He answered all of our questions to the best of his ability, and he welcomed us to stay after the presentation and ask questions (which I did). Even if you don't get to attend a session, you should try to get in contact with your local DIR and see if you might pick his or her brain. Getting first-hand advice, knowledge, and experiences from a current FSO is invaluable.

Time seems to be passing quickly; we're nearly a third through the month of April already. Before I know it, I'll be receiving that all-important letter telling me whether or not I'm advancing. I'm choosing to prepare for the OA regardless.