ConGen

This week marked the beginning of general consular training (ConGen). When we move to China next year I will be one of a handful of consular officers in Chengdu. The training lasts for six weeks and broadly covers the main job functions, applications used, and more! Here are the basics:

Consular officers are responsible for assisting overseas U.S. citizens with everything from registering children and issuing passports, to jail visitation, adoption or abduction, or other emergencies. Consular officers have the sole authority (by Presidential commission) of adjudicating visas to foreigners seeking to travel to the U.S. There's a lot more, too, but that's a good overview.

ConGen includes bits (that's for you JA) from every aspect of the job, including field trips to the airport (to watch DHS process incoming visa holders) and the morgue (to get used to seeing dead people). Yesterday we examined a bunch of documents to determine if they were real or forged, and we'll also receive training in detecting lying.

The hours are generally good, too. There has been a lot of "administrative time" so far (read: sleeping in until 9). But it's a trade-off for not being able to miss a single minute of ConGen. No leave time--period. After ConGen I start Mandarin, which has similarly strict attendance requirements.

Sara comes home tomorrow; I'm so excited!