Welcome to our unaccompanied tours (UT) blog, Foggy Bottom Rambles! We can share information, programs, and resources quickly with you and since blogs are a two way street, we (and the other readers) can hear from you. What's in a name you say? This blog reflects how we (back here in DC, Foggy Bottom area) provide information (rambles) to you. Find websites and information, upcoming webinars, programs and events. FLO does not endorse organizations or companies linked-to in this blog, the views they express, or the products/services they offer. Let us know what you think: contribute to the blog or email us at FLOAskUT@state.gov.

Monday, February 22, 2016

NEW College Application FAQs

Check Out FLO’s NEW College Application FAQs

FLO’s Education and Youth team has compiled a list of       College Application Process Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for students of Foreign Service families. We hope that these FAQs will help you find the answers you need quickly. Our goal is to add more questions and revise our answers to keep current with the ever-changing world of college admissions.
 
Have a question that is not on the list?

Email FLOAskEducation@state.gov.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Employment Opportunity in FLO

Family members returning to the Washington, DC area may be interested in applying for the full-time Program Assistant (GS-7) position in FLO. The incumbent is responsible for front desk receptionist services, serves as back-up to the Executive Assistant, and provides part-time program assistance. The application deadline for this position is 5:00 p.m. ET, Friday, February 19, 2016
For details and application instructions, please visit FLO’s website. 

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Enhancing Your Resilience

Why highly resilient people still need to enhance resilience


Visit Beth Payne’s Fostering Resilience blog

I recently read a compelling New York Times article about a Navy Seal commander, Cmdr Job W. Price, who committed suicide in Afghanistan in December 2012. Navy Seals are among the most resilient people I know. They are selected for their resilience and receive extensive training designed to maintain what the military often calls hardiness or grit. Yet, after losing four members of his team, months of over work, being isolated by his command position, and feeling the impact of the death of Afghani children, Cmdr Price’s resilience had eroded so much that it became a mental health condition that lead to his death.
In the article, I could see that Price displayed behaviors that are common characteristics of low resilience including an inability to sleep, becoming isolated, persistent illness, and moodiness. Well meaning senior leaders reminded Cmdr Price that he needed to sleep, eat well, and exercise but did not suggest other activities that are necessary to enhance resilience. Colleagues noticed Cmdr Price’s troubling behavior and repeated asked if he was ok, but Price always responded that he was fine. No one delved deeper to help Price recognize how far his resilience had slipped or urged him to seek mental health treatment, including medical professionals treating his physical ailments.
Cmdr Price’s death was a tragedy that reminds us that even the most resilient people can lose that resilience under the right circumstances and we all must constantly work to enhance our resilience to counter the significant emotional events we face. Those of us in high threat and dangerous environments, particularly those in leadership positions who are responsible for the lives of people on their teams, need to be particularly attentive to maintaining our personal resilience. We also need to seek mental health care more quickly and encourage colleagues and teammates to seek care when we see signs of low resilience that may become a mental health condition if left unaddressed. America lost a hero in 2012, but we can honor Cmdr Price by taking resilience seriously, learning from his life, and helping others seek the care they need so we don’t lose anymore heroes.
How does this story of our SEAL colleague’s death impact you? How can we remain vigilant of the cumulative impact of demands on our own resilience (and of others) while in the midst of trying circumstances?