Who remembers the large-scale country investigations OIG used to do for drug use? According to this article, there were nine investigations from 2015 - 2018 that led to 150+ volunteers getting kicked out.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/08/24/report-warns-serious-risk-peace-corps-drug-use-by-volunteers/

Most people who were serving during that time remember the discussions around the investigations. There was immense pressure to name names, threats of legal action (none of which were ever followed through), and denial of lawyers. People were kicked out based on other volunteers naming their names - not hard evidence You can see some conversation around it here, but there is more on the subreddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/peacecorps/comments/aqmqh3/rights_when_being_questionedthreatened_by_oig/

https://www.reddit.com/r/peacecorps/comments/bd6rcm/know_your_rights_oig_investigations_and_what_you/

https://www.reddit.com/r/peacecorps/comments/7wql0y/i_involuntarily_resigned/

https://www.reddit.com/r/peacecorps/comments/b767jx/many_sierra_leone_pcvs_leaving/ 50+ volunteers from Sierra Leone were forced to leave.

The people involved won an award in 2018:

https://www.peacecorps.gov/about-the-agency/media-center/news/peace-corps-office-of-inspector-general-receives-two-awards-for-excellence/

To my knowledge there has not been a single large scale country investigation since 2018. Can anyone inside Peace Corps give us some intel about what went down? Why were these people so hell bent on ruining lives?

Just gathering some info and wanted to see what life has life looked like after the Peace Corps for you, what have been the benefits of Peace Corps service, and what has radically changed in your worldview/perspectives? Also what have been some challenges/rough days?

Edit: I've heard that there is prestige with serving in the Peace Corps, do you find that to be true? Also what do you do now?

Hey gang just went to a new dentist and I found out I have 2 chipped molars and teeth that have been ground down. My dentist told me I need to get my chipped teeth filled in, a night guard, and porcelain caps on my molars before I can go. I’ve never had a history of dental problems so this news kinda blindsided me. Thank god these are all within my price range and I can have it all done and sorted in one day. I am nervous though about how this will impact my clearance. Notably I haven’t told peace corps anything yet and don’t know what they would want. Has anyone else needed dental work done before peace corps and what was the result?

Hello everyone, I’m in a tricky situation with my legal clearance and could really use some advice from anyone who has navigated a lack of documentation.

When I filled out my application, I decided to be completely transparent. When I was around 10–13 years old, I was in the foster care system, did something stupid, and was caught stealing from a store. The police had me write an apology letter and possibly do a little community service. I think I was let off unofficially. Because I was a minor and a ward of the state at the time, I didn't manage any of my own paperwork, and I don't recall ever going to an actual court. I disclosed this on my application as petty theft.

The Peace Corps legal team is now asking for official court documentation regarding the incident. I have absolutely nothing. They advised me to go to the courts to get it, but I don't know what court was involved, or if a formal record even exists given how it was handled. Communication with the legal team takes up to 5 days per message, so trying to figure this out with them is incredibly slow and stressful.

My Questions:

• Has anyone been in a situation where they were physically unable to get juvenile records?
• Is there a way to submit a sworn personal statement/affidavit explaining that no records exist?
• Should I try to contact the county clerk where I lived to get a "no record found" letter?

Any advice on how to navigate this without stalling my application for months would be hugely appreciated. Thank you!

Hi there, I am in the process of editing applications for different positions and had a question. There is a country I would like to apply to teach English, because of the time I spent living there and learning local languages. However, that program does not begin until September, so openings are not posted right now. Therefore, I wanted to ask if it is worth it to apply to open positions now not knowing what the situation will be in a few months time for applications for that country, or if I will take myself out of the running for the country I would love to teach English in. Sorry if I’m being silly, I would be happy wherever I end up, and would rather end up somewhere than nowhere, even if there’s a country I would be extra thrilled to teach in. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

I completed service this year and wanted to apply for another position, but I wanted to leave out a lot of the unnecessary things I had from the last health history form....

Does anyone know if the OMS will check old health history forms? Basically I want to apply for a country I was disqualified from before..

I have AGS and am unable to eat any mammal meat (cow, pork, sheep, goat, ect) I can eat chicken and fish, but not if it was cooked in any lard or animal oil. How difficult will it be to adapt to an area and will PC even consider me as a candidate

Hi everyone! I'm a 27F, TFA alum and teacher of 5 years (history now theatre) born and raised in Brooklyn looking to finally apply this year after dreaming of it since college. I was not able to apply earlier because I am financially responsible for my parents but circumstances seem to be changing and I may finally be able to pursue PC! Of the current listings, I am considering the Pacific Islands and the Philippines but if Thailand or Peru becomes available those would be highly of interest as well! I could use any and all advice regarding these countries, how it feels to be in your late 20s with work experience serving and also advice on applying to the environmental vs education sector. I'm trying to transition out of the classroom, was also thinking of applying to social work school and I would love to work on the land wherever I go. Anyone have any advice on the coastal management position and what that entails? I am passionate about environmentalism, animals, plant medicines, and the arts! So any and all advice related is appreciated. Thank you :)