What's next: A100, Bid Lists, Flag Day and Swearing In

We are now officially unemployed and homeless, and couldn't be happier about it! We will be staying in downtown Arlington in a great, furnished apartment provided by a partnership with the State Department. Mama Gnome can easily walk to anything she needs, and other spouses have already started making contact about making the transition easier for Baby Gnome as well. As for Papa Gnome and the Foreign Service, there are a few knowns about the unknowns...

We have an invite to meet the class and our sponsors the night before everything kicks off, which will be nice to get a first glance at everyone, then right into the process the next morning. Junior Officer Orientation for the Foreign Service is commonly referred to as A100, it is the name of the room it used to be held in. A100 is six weeks long and serves as an introduction to the profession of diplomacy, the work of the foreign affairs community, the Department of State, the mission of the Foreign Service and the role of the Foreign Service Officer. There are a few key events that really define the entire experience:

- Bid List

- Flag Day

- Swearing In

The Bid List: The Bid List is a list of all of the open assignments available to new officers for the next year, it is listed by location, they are unfortunately confidential and not to be released to the general public (sorry Granny Gnome) and the expectation is that Mama, Papa, and Baby Gnome dig in to each available post to develop a high, medium, or low classification on where we want to be assigned. It is given to the officers in the first week of A100 along with many, many classes on how the analyze, assess, and rank the list, and typically turned in by the end of the second week after a meeting with the Assignments Officer and the entire Gnome Family. This is a very stressful process and despite the limited spots and high demand, the decisions the Assignments Officers make are generally very well received despite our understanding that we are available for worldwide assignment... essentially, they don't have to make us happy but do a great job of doing so anyways :).

Flag Day: Flag Day is the day we find out where we will be going, the question on everyone's mind... especially ours. The event is held in an auditorium where family and friends attend, there are a few guest speakers, but everyone's attention is solely on the tables on the stage with a bunch of tiny world flags lined up. Each one of these flags represent an assignment, and as they start through the process they pick up the flag, call out the location (for example, Guangzhou, China), they add in a moments hesitation for dramatic effect while we hover on the edge of our seats, and call the name. If it is your name you walk up on stage, shake hands, take your flag, get your picture taken, and get a packet as you leave the stage. While knowing your location is nice, since it will be where the Gnomes will be living for the next 2 years, the packet gives the details. What job will I be doing? What language will I be learning if any and how long will I be in DC learning it? What is our report date to our next location? All the questions will finally be answered... just writing this has me nervous and excited all over again!

Swearing In: The final event of A100, and although the swearing in is actually done on the very first day (so we can get paid, etc...), this is a very formal event held at the Main State Department and includes lots of high brass, and has included the Secretary of State herself when available. With orders in hand the true adventure kicks off after this!