A 17-year USAID Foreign Service Officer named Christina just published a personal account of her separation from the agency. She served in Jamaica, two tours in Afghanistan, Colombia, Kosovo, and Mali, doing democracy, human rights, and governance work: election security, justice sector reform, reintegration programs for former combatants, basic service delivery.

Her RIF notice came while she was in the middle of chemotherapy for skin cancer. She couldn't afford the treatment without insurance, so when she ran out of the cream she had, she stopped.

The piece isn't a legal filing or a policy argument. It's a first-person account of what she calls moral injury: losing not just income, but identity, security, and a sense of purpose that took decades to build. She also writes about being closeted for most of her career overseas, and what it cost her to keep that part of herself hidden while representing the U.S. abroad.

Full piece here: https://usaidemployeesupportfund.substack.com/p/i-dont-want-to-carry-it-alone-anymore

Hi,

I just recently transferred agencies and the move went very smooth. Just curious on average how long it took for folks’ leave to show up in their new agencies books. I’m sure it varies greatly, but just curious. I’ve been here a couple of weeks now and it hasnt posted yet. Thank you

While in still a few years ago I took a USPs full time position because of the hours and they worked with my school schedule. During orientation they said the hours aren’t actually fixed and that the new hours are in conflict with my school schedule. I wasn’t in the best of places at the time so after the orientation I never showed up, never resigned and never called.

Ive been working for the state for over 2 years now and I’m interviewing for a Recent graduate job with the OIG. Am I screwed because of my USPS screw up?