This is the day anyone who starts this journey, waits for. An NFL draft is the only thing I can equate it to. Minus all the money of course.
But before I write about the flag portion of this day, I have to say this day started out with us taking a trip to Langley, Virginia. I am so proud to be an American. I’m not the only one.
When we returned to FSI, it was a bit like herding cats, getting everyone into the room. But we got everyone there by about 3:35 PM! Special thanks to my Mom, Darryl, Chris, Nicole, Matt, Matt, Matt, and Demond for coming out! After some introductions they bring the flags out! At this point my heart was racing. Our fates right in front of us.
First they started with some Consular Adjudicator Limited Non-Career Appointments. Most of these folks knew where they were going. Gave us a little moment to get ourselves composed. Once they started the 189th A-100 Generalist class time seemed to go in spurts. At one point, the other Robert in the class was called and it took me a second to realize that it was not me. By the time they called me, I was more than ready. I was about half way through the flags, so it was a good time. A mid-rounder, if you will! :-p
My friends report they were the only group to stand and clap. Great people.
Porto Alegre, Brasil!!!!!!
I talked to my Career Development Officer about Brasil, as Rio and Brasilia were also on the list. This seems to be a good fit because they are standing this small consult back up since it closed in the late 1990s. My first tour will be consular, as many others will.
I sat down, looked at the folder they give you and saw that I will report in October of this year. I was so pumped and to have my family and friends there was all the more awesome. The ceremony finished by about 4:30 PM and then the pictures and celebrating started!
We went to Whitlows on Wilson in Arlington and really had a good time. Then we all ate at the Cheesecake Factory. Just an unbelievably great day. One of the best in my entire life. I am truly a blessed human being.
Still trying to sort out the rest of the details and decompress after a wonderful weekend with my family and friends. I’ll leave ya with a couple videos on my next stop in life!
Thank you for this information and the video’s really helped get a feel for the Brazilian culture. This would be an awesome trip for Darryl and I to take.