Something “big” dropping this week ahead at Dept. State

[Anonymous]

I have heard from at least a dozen folks that something “big” is going to be happening at the State Department in the week ahead. Sure, when one or two people mention something - well it’s just a blurb. When a dozen people mention it in an unsettling manner - I suppose that’s when I turn to an anonymous discussion board.

I have heard that RIFs will occur, or the fork will be reopened. Perhaps the announcement of which posts will be closed? Maybe the layoff of half the LE workforce?

Anyone hear anything? Other than the USID stuff, DoS has been remarkably quiet.

[Anonymous]

What is LE?

[Anonymous]

Complete reorganization. Getting rid of FSO test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is LE?

Local employees, which make up the bulk of State’s workforce.

[Anonymous]

I do wonder if it includes closing/merging of bureaus along with the relocation of whole offices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Complete reorganization. Getting rid of FSO test.

Wonder if they are going to do what Congressman Wayne Hays tried to do in the 70s and make all State employees be part of the FS?

[Anonymous]

NYT is reporting early this morning on major changes ahead for State. Article is in a paywall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Complete reorganization. Getting rid of FSO test.

Wonder if they are going to do what Congressman Wayne Hays tried to do in the 70s and make all State employees be part of the FS?

They want to do hiring based on “charisma” and ideological agreement with POTUS’s foreign policy agenda. Not a joke.

Of course, what happens when a POTUS changes and staff no longer align?

[Anonymous]

From the article-

Complete realignment of State
Closing multiple embassies and consulates
Effectively getting rid of all a sub-Saharan Africa work
End of foreign service exam

[Anonymous]

My guess is the Civil Service domestic side is going to take a major hit. Wonder how this will affect CA, OBO, and DS? What happens to the FS Specialists?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone other than Vladimir Putin think this is a good idea? How can Rubio facilitate this given his past oversight of the State Department?

'This is insane and will literally change the world order to favor China and Russia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess is the Civil Service domestic side is going to take a major hit. Wonder how this will affect CA, OBO, and DS? What happens to the FS Specialists?

Yeah if they start closing embassies, where will intelligence officials sit? Do we not care about preventing terrorism anymore either?

This is bad. Any hope that Rubio would not just roll over and play dead is gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone other than Vladimir Putin think this is a good idea? How can Rubio facilitate this given his past oversight of the State Department?

'This is insane and will literally change the world order to favor China and Russia.

Rubio bent the knee to China and Russia.

That’s why Canada and EU are fleeing the US so quickly.

[Anonymous]

Getting rid of the exam is wild. The best people.

[Anonymous]

Wondering how Schedule F will play into this as well. Seems like policy making is a being defined in a fairly broad manner here. What types of employees at State are going to be placed under Schedule F? Are we talking DAS level or like branch chief level 14s?