Where I get burned by Composure Under Fire
Today we practiced doing role plays for NIV (non-immigrant visas). The process goes something like this (not an official script, just my mental illustration):
Hmm...okay, ask for the passport and check if they have their fee. How much is a visa application again? Oh right, okay. Now, what kind of visa? Wait, no, first what country are they from- oh okay, the passport says it. Now ask them what is the purpose of their travel- okay, gotta listen, but also need to look them up in the system- how many ways is there to spell Smith anyways? Oh wait, is that a name check? Oh no, that's the name below them, we're cool. Oh ok, questions about eligibility- gotta check if this passport is legit too. Is that a visa? Do the dates match? Shoot, where's the button to pull up the CEAC application again- oh here it is. Okay, does it match up with what they said they make? Wait, who are they visiting and where? What exactly does a snake miller do anyway? Is that salary for real or are they lying? Do they seem nervous because they're lying or because I have a face that looks like a pug confronted with a bathtub? Oh that's so sad...but does it meet the litmus test for "does it make sense"? Wait was the validity on this visa again? Shoot, where is the NIV dashboard's link to reciprocity table-
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| Yea, that's me. |
On the other hand, all this training makes me so grateful to be getting training. CA (Consular Affairs) is very well managed, well-organized, and has people that genuinely seem to appreciate and be dedicated to public service and American citizen (AmCit) interests. With the recent turbulence in Gaza as well as the tragedy of MH17 in Ukraine, these things become more than a new story you read over coffee or watch on CNN while eating lunch. Do you know how to register with your local embassy or consulate when you travel abroad? The STEP program helps the embassy get in contact with you in case of emergencies or to alert you about changes in travel advisory. It's always easier to be preemptive on the part of the traveler than rushing to get help after trouble has occurred. Take a chance to check it out, even if you don't plan on any immediate travel. Travel emergencies, like traffic in the District, doesn't always come with forewarning.
In the transitional side of things, I got my travel authorization (basically my travel orders or TM4), have turned in my paperwork for my diplomatic passport, and booked my airplane tickets to go back to the best coast for DHS consultations before I head out to post. Booking tickets was a breeze and they were super helpful on the phone with working with my itinerary. The one thing people may not know about working for the USG is Fly America. To put it in simple terms, when in doubt, when possible, when in the US or with a pair city abroad unless extenuating circumstances that require prior approval occur- YOU MUST FLY WITH AN U.S. AIRLINE. There are some Open Skies agreements for some countries, but the easiest way is of course to talk to your travel dept. (And no, we don't get to fly business- we don't even fly economy plus.)
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| Is there such a thing as "comfortable flight"? |
On a side note, I had a horrible experience this Sunday that reminded me of our Composure Under Fire (aka how to answer difficult questions on the spot) training in A-100. I was at a church fundraiser bqq where donations for Nigeria paid for delicious burgers. Trying to be friendly, I found a more empty table where two guys were seated with their own feel-good-burgers and sat down after they confirmed the seats weren't taken. As I munched on BBQ lays potato chips (oh so good, oh so oily), they discussed some rather blunt perspectives of denominational politics. From their conversation (I wasn't trying to overhear, but the one next to me was quite loud), they were just 'visiting for comparison'. Neither tried to introduce themselves or ask my name so I just put it down as a failed attempt and resolved to eat my weekly allocation of salad.
Suddenly, the man closest to me (we'll call him Bluetooth because yes, he was one of those guys) turned and asked how long I'd been attending service there. I gave a vague but friendly answer and when he queried, explained I was only temporarily in the area for work. Of course, being an American, he asked where I worked. Now, I don't know about others and I would love to get some feedback for people who work for USG, but I usually do not like stating my department, much less my title. It often leads to snide comments about "hey, I pay for your salary"*, blank stares, or awkward conversations. (Not always, but enough in a completely neutral environment that I don't usually bother if I'm not going to meet those people again.) However, in A-100, I received quite a few responses from more senior officers who encouraged us not to be evasive or lie and be "proud" of being a U.S. diplomat.
Big mistake here. Once he heard I was a State employee (I didn't elaborate into being an FSO), Bluetooth wanted to know if I was a contractor or a "civilian", using that to inform me he had worked for State a few years ago. (As a contractor, I assume.) His immediate next question (with an air of near-animosity)?
"So, tell me what is the State Department's current perspective on the Gaza conflict?"
I didn't even know the guy's name. It got worse. When I tried to use my baby CUF skills, he got more aggressive, skeptically stating that this was such an important issue, everyone in the Department should obviously have been currently working on it (this is just a few days after the Ukraine tragedy, mind). A statement that the world is a very big place and yes, it was a very important concern for everyone, unfortunately not all of us were specialist or briefed on the specifics, was clearly not the answer he was looking for. At one point he accused me of abandoning my religious faith(when did this get so personal??) by not being more strongly viewed, and began not only quoting verses at me, but looking up all the places in the bible that supported his view. Oh, and apparently there is no such thing as seperation of church and state (don't even ask how he deviated to here), and we're confused and misunderstood Thomas Jefferson. He's obviously right because he "studied this. A lot."
Yea. I'm not great at these types of situations, but I was smart enough to extricate myself as soon as I politely could. What an experience. (And I didn't even leave the States yet.)
*Technically, since I pay taxes AND my current position is Consular fee funded, those overseas applicants are paying for my salary now. Just sayin'.
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