The World is the Traveler's Inn

Life on a compound is quite different.  To me, reminiscent in some ways to a college campus in a small college town.  And from what I hear, leaving this compound usually means just going to another compound, so really, unless that changes, I suppose I'm content to having the partners we work with just come to us for meetings.  But I definitely would like to somehow get out and see some of our projects in the country, if feasible.

The normal day?  Things in Kabul revolve around work.  Six day work-weeks from Saturday to Thursday with long hours each day.  Lots to do but interesting and challenging work.  Though a bit intimidating right now as I learn my new portfolio and quirks to how this Mission operates different than other Missions.  Friday's are truly treasured here in Kabul.

But things here really aren't so bad, at least, better than I thought it would be.  While we have regular drills or testing for various emergency scenarios, you have to take efforts to avoid becoming complacent to any security threats as you can easily forget the possibility of any danger.  There are cafeterias, gyms, weekend bazaars to go shopping, and a variety of activities and events going on each day for one to participate it.  And with a large embassy population, you're bound to find people you already know or whom you can become friends.  The occasional "duck and cover" alarm though tends to bring back the reality of the environment pretty quickly.

Benefits of working here are pretty nice though.  Cafeterias are free and the food is actually pretty decent.  Financial compensation is at least a 70% bump due to danger and hardship differentials and we can take up to five trips out of country each year as R&Rs (rest and recuperation) or RRBs (regional rest breaks).

I think the hardest part is the separation from family as they are not allowed to come.  However, there are a lot of job opportunities for spouses whom would be allowed to come with their significant others if they take one of the positions.

Over the past few weeks, I'm starting to settle into a routine of work, gym/exercise classes, hanging out with people I've met, and then video calling family in the evenings.  Also have plenty of time to self-teach myself Thai, improve on playing the guitar, and read books.  Activities I look forward to each week include spin classes (when I'm able to pull myself out of bed for the 6AM class), quiz night/trivia every other week, meeting up to play board/card games, and then the impromptu fun events people put together.  Here's to home for the next two years.

A winning medal from the compound olympics

Training and Preparing for a High Threat Environment

Do I understand the USG's objectives and USAID's role in the Afghanistan?  Am I mentally and physically resilient for the stresses of the work, the environment, and the separation from loved ones?  And do I know how to react and respond to events of duress or trauma for the safety and security of myself or my colleagues?

Over the past few weeks, I've been in training specific to address these questions.  USAID and other  agencies invest a considerable amount of resources to prepare their staff for assignments to high threat posts overseas.  A high threat environment is a post where there are risk considerations not present in other conventional posts.

A House bill defines these posts as:

(2) High risk, high threat post.--The term `high risk, high threat post' means a United States diplomatic or consular post, as determined by the Secretary, that, among other factors, is--
``(A) located in a country--
``(i) with high to critical levels of political violence and terrorism; and
``(ii) the government of which lacks the ability or willingness to provide adequate security; and

``(B) with mission physical security platforms that fall below the Department of State's established standards.

The training has been interesting and very engaging.  In some ways, reminiscent to DLI orientation training from before but specifically focused on select countries and with participants on at least their second tours (or much more) overseas.  Training also includes the "Crash Bang" course which was the most hands-on and immersing training I've experienced yet in my Foreign Service career.

A good amount of time has been spent on the topic of resiliency to ensure we are physically and mentally prepared for this type of hardship environment.  This includes having healthy habits and practices to have a successful tour and the plans for maintaining relationships at a distance.  I've known for quite some time Afghanistan would be my ongoing post, but sometimes, particularly when friends and family express their concern, I wonder if I should be more worried than I am.  But we decided on this assignment based on what was best for our family at the time and for the future.  Serving in Afghanistan will definitely be a unique lifetime experience and opportunity seek to make a difference in one of the most impoverished nations in the world.

Here's to the next big adventure.

An extra large dose of Emerson inspiration.

From Candidate to Career

So now I can't be fired.  Well, at least I won't automatically be cannned due to the 5 year candidacy rule.

New hires to USAID's Foreign Service have up to 5 years to be tenured.  I'm happy to be tenured so the looming threat of meeting that deadline is no longer there.  Bureaucratically, I'm just now listed as from "Career-Conditional" to "Career".

The requirements to be tenured generally are:

1. 36 months with USAID and at least 18 months of that time in an overseas Mission.
2. Medical and Security Clearances valid.
3. Achievement of a foreign language proficiency (mine was in Indonesian).
4. No other issues.
5. Re-certification of Worldwide availability.

So what are the advantages of being tenured?  From what I know, one is that I can now safely switch backstops (career specialty) without worrying about the tenure deadline (tenure evaluation based of performance in job function).  Though, I'm pretty happy doing what I'm doing right now.  And then supposedly it's more difficult to fire me.  I'm sure there are others but haven't yet figured that out yet.

However, I'm not fully a real "Officer" yet.  That doesn't happen until I can get promoted to the next grade and receive a commission.  But it's a significant milestone in my career and looking forward to working toward the next.

If interested in reading the details of USAID's tenuring process, the information is available at:
Tenure Policy and Process: http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1877/414mad.pdf
Precepts for the USAID's Foreign Service Tenure Board: http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1877/414mac.pdf

Re-orienting and Re-exposing to the US (aka Home Leave)

After number of get-togethers, last dinners, and going-away events, I left post this month and headed back to the good Midwest USA.  About half way through this month off of work, I've been indulging in spending time with family and friends, gorging on foods particular to home, and catching up on everything Americana while running a number of errands before leaving for DC for training and then my next assignment.

Home leave is one of nicest perks of the Foreign Service career which is basically 20 work days of paid time-off between assignments to spend time in the US.  Since home leave is time off in-between jobs, it's a nice opportunity to see neglected loved ones in the States without the worry of all the work that may be piling up while you're gone.  It's amazing how much and how many things I've missed from just being away for a year.

The last few months at post were spent diligently working to accomplish work objectives before leaving post, packing and shipping goods for storage and goods for Kabul, as well as apartment-hunting and moving for my wife who will stay behind in Jakarta to work while I transition to my next post.  Immediately after leaving post, the next bidding season began for my follow-on assignment after Afghanistan (we bid and receive assignments about a year before we leave the current and Afghanistan is currently only a one-year tour).  

Coming back too, a stark reminder of the development challenges that still persist in the US with the Ferguson, MO shooting incident making national headlines.  With all the ethnic, religious, and equality issues I'll see in Afghanistan, the US still struggles today in managing similar challenges.