Well it's hard to believe but it's time to start looking at where we will be going to next summer. I can't really get into our options, but we have 36 possible postings, some more likely than others. We have many choices in Europe, some in Asia, several in Africa and a few in Central/South America. We are taking a lot of variables into consideration, but we are looking closest at posts with good schools. We want to make sure Crystal has a good send off from high school. Another thing we are looking for is employment opportunities for Jolene. If Jolene is working then she'll be happy, ergo I'll be happy :). So right now medium to large posts will suit our needs. Although there is a large European capital that Stacey would love us to get posted at, but our chances of actually getting it are slim, and I'll explain why.
The bidding system works like this for us. There are 36 people in my bidding cycle so our assignments officer puts 36 posts on a list. For a time, this is a fluid list some post come on some go off, but there will only be 36 choices. We have to group our choices into one of 3 categories, High, Medium and Low. Then we have to write a justification of our rankings and we can provide actual numerical rankings with more details.
Well who gets to choose first? Glad you asked. Based on our current assignments you earn equity based on the hardship pay of the post and the danger pay. Both of these are a percentage of your base pay. That total percentage is your equity score. Of the 36 of us, one has a 50% equity and the range goes all the way down to 0%. We are at a 15% post so we're not first and not last, somewhere in the middle. No the first person doesn't automagically get their first choice. There are a few wild cards in there. If one of the bidders is married to another Foreign Service Officer then that can foul things up as assignment officers attempt to keep the couple near each other (note I didn't say at the same post...) But ultimately the assignment officer has to take into consideration the needs of the government, that pretty much trumps everything. Now we have a daughter needing a high school, so odds are we'll get a post with a high school, but not guaranteed. The State Department will pay tuition to send your child to a boarding school. They even pay to have them come home once or twice a year. But, it's been our limited experience that the assignment officers will work with you, they are not out to screw anyone over but try to match people to posts based on a flurry of variables.
So, when?!? Well I have to have my list submitted no later than July 2. But since we'll be on R&R during that time we'll have to submit our rankings before then. Final assignments should be given around the middle of July.
Wish Us Luck :)
