Any tandem couples out there working for the US Foreign Service?

October 12, 2009 8:10 AM

Any tandem couples / trailing spouses out there working for the US Foreign Service?

So my future wife has taken all the steps to become a Foreign Service Officer - applied, taken the first of a few tests, and so on. I'm in a position where I can ALSO apply for the same or a similar position - we're both of the same age (27), similar education (Bachelor's), expatriate experiences (year-plus in Asia), and so on.

My question is this: in your experience, is it better to be a Tandem Couple (presumably serving together at the same embassy) or a Trailing Spouse (where she works and I try finding other jobs on or around the embassy? We'll enjoy the traveling, the ups and downs - but from a benefits / risks / rewards standpoint is where I'm hoping your experience will come in.

Any pros or cons to applying for a job in tandem with your spouse, or looking for jobs on an adhoc basis?

[Anonymous since I don't want to spoil her/our chances at the job - and their background checks are VERY thorough]

posted by anonymous to work & money (2 comments total)

Well, even if you want to be an FSO and pass through, it basically boils down to which is worse for you: (1) "merely" being an EFM and working clerical jobs at the embassy, if at all, or maybe working on the local economy for a year or something, or (2) also being a FSO but being apart from your wife for 2 years or more because you're assigned to a different post. Number 2 doesn't happen all the time, but it happens often enough that you need to account for it in your decision.

The most successful couples, ie the ones who don't get divorced, have a set bail-out time. Like, we'll serve one tour and then if the EFM doesn't like it we'll get out. My wife's the FSO and I'm the EFM--mefi mail me if you have more questions you don't want to post.
posted by lockestockbarrel at 8:43 AM on October 12

I don't know what the situation is like now, but I grew up in embassies overseas a long time ago. It used to be that tandem couples ended up in the less-desirable posts because it was much more difficult to find two openings in the more desirable (career and quality-of-life wise) posts.
posted by procrastination at 8:49 AM on October 12