Notes from a day at the Pentagon. Continue reading
You probably read today about the Afriqiyah flight crashing in Libya. Really sad stuff. Afriqiyah also happens to operate about 25% of the flights coming in and out of Cotonou. It seems like these smaller, regional airlines suffer a disproportionate … Continue reading
On Monday I started a four-week tradecraft course focused on the information and media aspect of my job. One thing we’ve discussed so far is the importance of understanding the unique histories, personalities and agendas of the various foreign media … Continue reading
As Andy mentioned in his last post, we’re scheduled to stick around Arlington until March of 2011. There are a few others in my A-100 class who will be in training that long, but they’re all studying super hard languages … Continue reading
On our first day of A-100 we swore in quickly as a formality, so we could get paid. This afternoon, though, after five weeks of orientation, we gathered at Main State for a swearing in with more pomp and circumstance. … Continue reading
See the red circle around Cotonou, Benin’s capital. More fun facts: Though Benin looks like a tiny sliver of a country, it’s actually about the size of Pennsylvania. Benin is one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. The … Continue reading
After a year of testing, months of security clearances, lots of waiting and a few weeks of A-100, the day we’ve been long anticipating finally arrived: Flag Day. In case you somehow managed to avoid my incessant talking (and worrying) … Continue reading
I’ll be learning French for a Public Diplomacy job in Cotonou, Benin! It was our top choice, so we’re thrilled! More details to come…
I’ve written a lot about the receiving the bid list, ranking each post and awaiting my fate on Flag Day. In fact, I’ve written so much about those things that you might assume getting my assignment is all A-100 is … Continue reading
As you may recall, two weeks ago we received a list of about 100 available jobs at embassies and consulates around the globe — the “bid list,” in Foreign Service speak. (Amazingly, there’s no acronym for this one.) After much … Continue reading