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I was seriously toying with the idea of the Foreign Service exam... a buddy was going to take it as well. But this from the State Dept. website on the selection process:

In evaluating suitability, the Final Review Panel takes into consideration the following factors:

* Misconduct in prior employment, including marginal performance or inability to interact effectively with others
* Criminal, dishonest, or disgraceful conduct
* Misrepresentation, including deception or fraud, in the application process
* Repeated or habitual use to excess of intoxicating beverages affecting the ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the employee's position
* Trafficking in or abuse of narcotics or controlled substances
* Reasonable doubt as to loyalty to the U.S. Government
* Conduct which clearly shows poor judgment and or lack of discretion which may reasonably affect an individual or the agency's ability to carry out its responsibilities or mission
* Financial irresponsibility, including a history of not meeting financial obligations or an inability to satisfy debts

Would you make the cut? I've been popped thrice for open containers in public, once only about three years ago.

― andy --, Thursday, 20 October 2005 19:08 (twenty years ago)

I've abused substances and been financially irresponsible. Good times.

― Jazz Funeral in the Chinese Quarter (nordicskilla), Thursday, 20 October 2005 19:12 (twenty years ago)

The alcohol one is vague... Like, you can be a drunk as long as you don't come to work drunk. I'm sure alot of people in the Burkina Faso consulate are wasted most of the day.

― andy --, Thursday, 20 October 2005 19:17 (twenty years ago)

* Reasonable doubt as to loyalty to the U.S. Government

This one would trip me up.

― gypsy mothra (gypsy mothra), Thursday, 20 October 2005 19:45 (twenty years ago)

To answer the question: yes.

― giboyeux (skowly), Thursday, 20 October 2005 19:49 (twenty years ago)

I don't, unless you count that time I got fined for bringing a joint into Japan (which I doubt even registered as the Japanese even let me in after paying a small fine), but I think that there may be some 'reasonable' doubts as to my loyalty, especially to this band of plutocrats running the country.

― M. White (Miguelito), Thursday, 20 October 2005 19:56 (twenty years ago)

Were you with Linda Eastman at the time of your arrest?

― andy --, Thursday, 20 October 2005 19:57 (twenty years ago)

Be forewarned - if you apply for a clearance, they send retired Airforce guys out to check EVERYTHING. I got phone calls for weeks from ex-bosses, ex-neighbors, ex-coworkers asking "What have you done now?!" after they each had their visit from a man in blue.

― Jaq (Jaq), Thursday, 20 October 2005 23:33 (twenty years ago)

I've been popped thrice for open containers in public, once only about three years ago.

don't you only get a ticket for this? does that disqualify you?

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 21 October 2005 00:19 (twenty years ago)

What if, as a high schooler, you registered with the Communist Party USA? Would that fall under the loyalty thing?

― naus (Robert T), Friday, 21 October 2005 00:56 (twenty years ago)

Open container violations do not disqualify you from working for the feds. I have a friend who was busted for public intoxication, while running naked through the streets, during a party at an Ivy League school. Now he's earning a living from your tax dollars!

Dude, as long as a) you're honest AT ALL TIMES about your history and b) you don't smoke crack on a regular basis, you should feel free to apply. The screening process, as you'll see, is lengthy and detailed enough to perceive shades of gray in all things.

― ng-unit, Friday, 21 October 2005 01:02 (twenty years ago)

* Repeated or habitual use to excess of intoxicating beverages affecting the ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the employee's position

Hah. This one amuses me. I worked for the Foreign Affairs dept for over seven years (the aus foreign office) and, while working in the Passport branch in melbourne, we had to deal with this old alcoholic polish guy who worked with us. I dont know how he kept the job (apart from that he could speak polish, croat and a few other things, which helped with clients). He would come back from lunch DRUNK, every single day. One day I was foolish enough to wear these velvet shorts at work and he said "nice arrshe luv" and slapped me on the butt.

And I complained to HR and they said "oh, thats just how he is".

*&^%$%#$.

Ive worked with drunks, drug users, people smoking j's on the job, a guy who threw a chair at another guy, all while at DFAT. I mean yeah they do all these checks, but once you're in, no one seems to give a rats. Well they didnt in those days.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 21 October 2005 01:03 (twenty years ago)

ha. i don't think it's changed much trayce, at least in the WA state PS. i work with loads of alkies. that might be an occupational hazard though i guess, seeing as they're mostly political hacks

― gem (trisk), Friday, 21 October 2005 01:05 (twenty years ago)

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