This is an unofficial guide based on student experiences. For the most authoritative, up-to-date information, see the official orientation website.
Thought training was done? Not so fast! Whether you're headed abroad or staying Stateside for your first assignment, there's a good chance you'll have at least a few additional training courses to complete before you transition from an FSI student to a full-fledged officer or specialist.
After Flag Day, your CDO will send you an e-mail with your training schedule. They will also schedule a live info session or provide a recording to clarify follow-on training policies. This site answers your questions on Who Does What (Intranet).
If you have questions about courses on your schedule or need to register for additional courses to fill gaps, log into the FSI Student Information System through Okta. Select the FSI SIS Student Community app and click on the "Course Catalog" tab to search by course number or to conduct an advanced search to locate courses available during training gaps.
If you are heading out on a consular tour, you'll need to take PC530 Basic Consular Course (ConGen) before you head to post.
If your assignment is language designated and you have not tested out of the language requirements, your CDO will enroll you in language training at FSI in the School of Language Studies. Since language courses run in cycles, you may have other training to fill the gap before language training begins. Language classes are typically organized in small sections of 3-4 students. You may also be enrolled in Area Studies for your country and/or region.
The Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) course, CT650, is mandatory training for all personnel serving under Secretary of State Responsibility in FACT designated posts. It is held every week (except those with federal holidays) at the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center in Blackstone, VA. Use this link to check available training dates.
Note: FACT must be added to your travel orders if you have not taken it within the last six years. If you need to update your travel orders, e-mail your CDO or Assignments officer, or see the TMFOUR section on the Travel Messages page for instructions on how to submit a request through GTM Next.
Diplomatic Security special agent candidates will complete orientation in the Washington, D.C. area before heading to follow-on training. In general, expect training to take about eight months in total.
Basic Special Agent Course (BSAC)
You should receive dates for your BSAC in a welcome letter from your DS coordinator in the first few weeks of orientation.
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
After Foreign Service orientation ends, special agents will travel to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), a DHS facility in Brunswick, Georgia, for about 12 weeks to complete the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP).
Note: You will live in dormitory-style housing on campus. Families and pets are not permitted to live in the dorms, though there is a chance to see families on weekends.
Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC)
After FLETC, you will head to the Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC) in Blackstone, Virginia. FASTC, which takes about four months, is a more advanced security training than FACT, which is the course non-DS generalists and specialists complete.
Note: Trainees will live in a hotel in the area during this time.
FSI allows EFMs to enroll in training depending on space availability and timing. To begin the enrollment process, send an e-mail to your CDO with the following information:
EFM’s full name, DOB, SSN, and email address
course/section number and dates
Your CDO will add your EFM to the course waitlist and create a training account for them. With an account, you can register for additional trainings available through FSI’s course catalog on their behalf. List your CDO as the supervisor. For full details, see EFM Training Information on the Entry-Level SharePoint site (Intranet).
Language courses must be approved by GTM/CDA/EL and your CDO. EFMs will be enrolled in either the Basic (100) or FAST (200) course and will be notified 21 days prior to the start of the course.
All Adult Eligible Family Members (AEFMs) are encouraged to take FACT, especially those going to high-threat posts. However, enrollment is on a space-available basis and can be canceled for AEFMs who are not employed at post if space is needed to accommodate employees going to high threat posts.
Note: Even though AEFMs may be required to take the FACT course, they DO NOT receive reimbursement for lodging, meals, or other incidental expenses.