Heather Said:

Difference between B3 Operational Officer and a C4 Policy Officer in Diplomatic Service at FCO?

We Answered:

Hello

The C4 is the fast stream route for entry to the FCO. The B3 is the operational route. With the B3 you specalise on the practical nature of diplomacy i,e consular work, visa processing etc. C4s are expected to be "leaders of tomorrow" for the FCO and focus on policy. As you can imagine entry requirements for both are tough but C4 fast stream entry is legendary in its difficulty. However it is quite possible to be promoted to C4 grade if you get in as a B3. A friend of mine did this in only 2 years.

The best website to get the full understanding is www.fcocareers.co.uk which will give you a full profile of both roles including payscales.

Cheers

G

PS The FCO is currently recruiting for B3 vacancies now, the C4 competition is open from mid September (see www.faststream.gov.uk)

Lester Said:

Life in the Diplomatic Security Service?

We Answered:

If you become a DSS Special Agent, you will become part of the US Foreign Service. By law, you'll be required to serve approximately half of your career overseas. The exact rules vary, but in general you can't spend more than five years continuously in the States or eight years overseas straight. You also need to keep in mind that you will most likely need to spend at least one tour in a true hardship post - Iraq, Afghanistan, or Pakistan. Some people minimize their overseas time by spending five years straight in the States, then a year unaccompanied in one of those posts, and then return.

But you have to ask yourself, if you're joining DSS and don't want to spend a significant part of your career overseas, why are you joining DSS? There are plenty of other federal agencies where you don't ever have to go overseas - ICE, FBI, ATF, DEA, etc. In some of them you can, if you've been on 10-15 years and are lucky. But most agents in those agencies spend the majority, if not all of their careers, State-side.

I'm not trying to scare you away - most DSS agents eventually settle down and get married and then bring their spouses and children along for the adventure. But its more of a lifestyle than it is a job in many respects, and especially when you first start, you *will* travel. A lot.

It's the best job in federal government, hands down. I'll take one DSS special agent over ten from any other federal agency in a heartbeat. The training, experience, and responsibility you get from the beginning is unmatched.

But it's not for everyone.

Kimberly Said:

what sort of career can one expect in the british diplomatic service?

We Answered:

www.gov.uk / careers

or something along those lines.

Google Diplomatic careers.

Vicki Said:

5 multiple choice questions. Social Civics. Can you answer them correctly?

We Answered:

I'm pretty ignorant about international affairs, but here it goes:

1) D.
2) B.
3) A.
4) C.
5) C.

Kristen Said:

ambassadors??

We Answered:

b

Neil Said:

How highspeed of a career can you have as a Hospital Corpsman on the Marine Corps side of the Navy?

We Answered:

I should think yes if you are assigned to that unit----good luck.

Carole Said:

What are the qualifications that you need to pursue the career of a diplomat?

We Answered:

There are all different kinds of positions if the diplomatic services so you'll need to know what you want to do. Once you've done that contact the State Department and they can send you the information for getting the job that you want. You'll need to meet their requirements for education, experience, and language to get a job with them.