*Even though it says David wrote this, this is still my blog. I'll create my own gmail account soon and then I'll switch it over*
We've had so many questions about what has led us to the Foreign Service with the State Department (SD). I keep thinking that having 9 years of active duty military experience and 3 years of Reserve experience should have prepared us more for our life in the Foreign Service. (Seriously, there should be some kind of transferable credit for all the nonsense that goes along with military life :D ) Granted even though we're just starting out and haven't even received our first assignment yet, there are unmistakable similarities between the two. The moving, the sense of adventure, the paperwork, the moving, goodbyes, hellos, and did I mention...
the moving! I've learned that I need to stop assuming things are the same between the military and the SD. While similar in so many ways, their missions are not and so their approach is not. The Air Force is a very family friendly force with a lot of support services, especially in comparison to the other services. (Although there are some things the other services do better, overall I always felt taken care of) However, our importance to "the mission" was always secondary. Nothing made this more clear than when David was training in Mississippi back in 2002. The on-base hotel we were staying in had a binder with base information and part of the binder included a hurricane evacuation plan. This plan specified where the military member needed to go to get airlifted out of the base in the case of an emergency. It then went on to list the local shelters that families were welcome to go to, but that essentially they were on their own. It didn't really bother me, it just made me laugh. It stuck with me though, because it brought home where we ranked in importance.
"Needs of the Air Force" ruled our life, just like
"needs of the Foreign Service" will now. Fortunately, something that seems to be all too familiar is the paperwork. The government LOVES their paperwork. Between David and I, there is a new pile of papers about a foot tall. Everything from new health plans to background information on all the cities on our bid list.
THE BID LIST!!
Throughout this process there hasn't been anything more daunting (to me) than the bid list. In the Air Force it was called a "dream sheet" and I would get a random phone call from David about once or twice a year when he was working on his "dream sheet". I always laughed, because all the Air Force ever did with our dream sheet is giggle at it and then throw it away and send us to Texas again. I was actually stunned when we finished his school assignment in Virginia and we were sent to Colorado. I figured there were still a couple of Texas bases we hadn't been to yet :D
Starting in the State Department (SD), we have caught ourselves making assumptions about how things were done based on our military experience. The way it works for David's career field and most others is that the first two assignments are 2 years each and "directed". This means that, ultimately, they will pick where you go. Leading up to David's start date we had tons of people ask us if we had any idea at all where we would go and we truly didn't. There are almost 300 consulates and embassies worldwide and we could theoretically be sent to any of them. We assumed being newbies that our list would be full of tiny, out of the way places in Africa or Southeast Asia. Europe was a pipe dream that we would have to work up to.
The bid lists are also determined by how many people in your class are in the same job specialty. David is an IMS (Information Management Specialist) along with about 20 other people. Our list came with over 20 cities to choose from and only a couple that I was a little iffy about. I mean malaria sounds fun and all, but I think that's an experience I can wait on. Finally, we had narrowed our options to this list. It was such a relief, because now the work could begin. We needed to put these cities into order according to our needs and preferences and submit them to David's CDO (Career Development Officer). In the back of my mind, I was still picturing a dart board and didn't really think they would take our preferences into consideration. There is a fantastic resource called the OBC. It's a library with information about every post in the world. We were also cautioned to look at the list from the eyes of a resident and not a vacationer. Sure, the Bahamas are a great place to visit during your next cruise, but after being evacuated for your 4th hurricane in a month or finding out that your beloved pet has to be quarantined at your expense for 2 months or even that the high school isn't quite up to snuff, you might decide that living there isn't quite right for your family or lifestyle. *DISCLAIMER: These scenarios are all hypothetical. Since it wasn't an option for us, I didn't do any research on the island, but I know that these things happen and play a big part in organizing those bid lists.
So we researched, watched videos and prayed about the places on our list. We had cities from 5 continents to go through and places we never thought we'd want to live in turned out to be a great fit for us. All our preconceived notions about Africa, for example, were completely turned around. Yes, there are places that are not family friendly, as well as just down right dangerous, but we aren't even eligible to be sent there because of the kids. I can't publish the list, but I can say that we were so excited about our list, because it was so much better than we could have hoped for.
The SD has made it abundantly clear that, while you will go where they need you, your needs and your family's needs are paramount to making this life work. It doesn't matter if your family consists of a spouse and kids, just a spouse or just your pet. It doesn't matter if you're gay, straight or single. They want everyone to feel welcome and prepared. I have classes to go to and the kids have workshops to go to. None of it is mandatory but highly encouraged because they want us all well-prepared for life overseas. There are a whole series of classes that we can sign up for to help us prepare and succeed. There are educational, professional, social and emotional opportunities and support everywhere we go. I have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of resources. I was even invited to go with David to visit his CDO and go over our list before it was submitted, so that she would have a better idea of our needs before the assignments were made.
So the list was turned in and we are now waiting. This Tuesday is Flag Day. That is when everyone is presented with the flag from their new post. The anticipation is nearly overwhelming. I just want to know so we can start planning for our next home. Wherever it will be. Even if we don't get our #1 choice, we are going to go somewhere foreign and exotic and it will be an adventure.
3 days and counting!
