A Day Like No Other: Flag Day

This is the day when we are told where in the world we are going to spend two years of our lives. The day comes just after completing four weeks of training. This day is called Flag Day. This is an experience like no others that I can think of. It brings much excitement and anxiety. Lives, family, and careers are shaped by this moment.
In the first week of training we are given a list of cities corresponding to different State Department posts that have openings for entry level officers such as myself. My class's list included places like Sana'a Yemen, Oaugadougou Birkina Faso, and Canberra Australia. With this list, we are to rank each post as either "high", "medium" or "low" in preference. This task takes nearly three weeks of researching each post finding out:

What is the pollution like in this city?

Is there a social scene?

Are things like saran wrap, deodorant or peanut butter available for purchase?

What's the affordability of the city?

Is there an additional pay incentive?

Does this job develop my career in the way I want it to?

Will I be able to (and do I want to) learn the language required?

Where the heck is this city on the globe?
This is just a simplified overview of the questions that go on in ones head when looking at this list of posts. It quickly becomes a reality that the Foreign Service is not just a job, it's a lifestyle.

For all these reasons, emotions are high in the lead up to Flag Day.

The day before, I met with a group of colleagues / classmates for coffee and shared our thoughts and fears. Afterwards, I met with a non-State Dept. friend and got my mind off things. This was the best option since there was nothing I could do to change my pending fate. The others continued to spin panic off of each other for the remainder of the day and were a wreck the following morning.

The ceremony was in the afternoon in a large auditorium. Many friends and family of my classmates were there, equally anxious. Three large racks of small country flags were brought out, each representing a post assignment.

The directors made some opening remarks and soon after began announcing the assignments.

One by one, they would announce the job, city and country. A giant flag was projected for each assignment as well. Then came the name of a classmate. Political Officer, Jerusalem Israel. John Smith. Different flags would pop up and I would be filled with hope or fear. "Africa". Ok, is that where I'm going? I would think to myself. "Japan" Please let it be me!

Posts and colleagues were being determined. I could hardly keep up with the notes I was taking on where my colleagues would start their new careers. Then came a large red flag. Consular Officer, Beijing China, followed by ...yours truly. I jumped up relived. It was a position aligned with my goals and experience. It was also a role that would require me to stay here in the states for a much longer time, which is great. I walked up to the front received my flag, portfolio and posed for the camera.

I had so much to think about and so many people to tell but continued listening to the news coming in about my friends, cheering each one on.

After the ceremony, I made my phone calls and made my way over to the the happy hour celebrations (an important aspect of every State Dept. function).

It was an experience unlike any other. One minute, I could be assigned to anywhere in the world. The next moment I was given my general work schedule for the next three years. It was very exciting and I feel very fortunate for my assignment. Most of all, I'm just glad to put that day behind me and am able to prepare for my work in Beijing.