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Jusmagthai

Foreign Area Officer (FAO)

FAO PCS Success Tips

  • Take Initiative:
    • You are responsible for driving your own PCS progress; don’t wait for others to follow up or complete tasks.
    • Offices will usually contact you only to request documents or information—not to check your progress.
    • Follow up consistently until your emails and calls are anticipated. Never rely on anyone else to get things done.
  • Prioritize Language Training:
    • Focus on language studies, using personal time and administrative days as needed.
    • Dedicate the first six months to hammering down Thai language skills before tackling other PCS tasks.
    • Maintain continuous learning and stay disciplined in study
  • Follow Up Relentlessly:
    • Repeatedly check in with relevant offices to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
    • Some PCS items may sit idle on a desk—be persistent and make sure tasks are completed.
  • Stay Organized and Plan Ahead:
    • Track deadlines and manage your schedule efficiently.
    • Start tasks early (e.g., passports, overseas screening) to avoid bottlenecks during packing or language tests.
    • Use personal time to complete tasks as necessary.
  • Communicate Early:
    • Keep JUSMAGTHAI informed well in advance—ideally three months before PCS.
    • If needed, contact the in-country FAO or me via email for guidance.
  • Manage Stress and Stay Focused:
    • The process may seem daunting, but it is manageable if you follow the checklist and timelines.
    • Stay calm, stay fixed on language training, and systematically handle administrative aspects.
    • Remember—you are not the first to go through this process.
  • Stay Ahead Wherever Possible:
    • Begin tasks early to reduce last-minute stress.
    • Keep momentum on language, administrative tasks, and planning simultaneously to avoid overlapping and delays.
  • Use This Guide as a Framework:
    • This list highlights primary and secondary tasks for PCS preparation; it is not all-inclusive.
    • Adapt it to your needs while staying ahead of deadlines.
    • All imbedded document and email links functional at time this checklist was drafted
    • Look in the Documents section included under the FAO tab; you should be able to find most additional documents you need there as well as a FAO smart pack.

One Year Prior to PCS

Security Clearance

  • Check your Web Orders to confirm your required clearance level.
  • Ensure your clearance remains valid for the entire FAO tour in Thailand.
  • If not completed prior to arrival at DLI-W:
    • Contact DLI Washington immediately upon arrival.
      • Phone: (703) 692-4373
    • Process can take several months without delays.
  • Note: FAOs must maintain clearance after IRT.

Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) Course

  • Can be completed while at NPS during semester breaks or before language training.
  • Tips from experience:
    • Completing FACT following PCS to DLI-Washington but before language training commences may save time and travel.
    • Inform PLU-8 of your plan.
    • They provide paperwork instructions, FSI setup, and DTS submission.
  • Points of Contact:

ISO Prep

  • Honestly, this is not a requirement in order to PCS, but it’s a good thing to update, if you have time.
  • Recommended to complete while at NPS.
  • DLI-Washington: Coordinate ISOPREP updates with PLU-8 (IAPmarine@usmc.mil)
    • difficult to access at DLI-W: No NIPR computer → no SIR access.
    • Potential delays/responsibility confusion at DLI-W.
    • Do NOT use U.S. Army system; must redo if used.

6 Months Prior to PCS

Web Orders

  • Receive your Web Orders to initiate OCONUS PCS process.
  • Orders trigger OCONUS PCS package from S-1 at Henderson Hall sent to you via email.
  • If orders are not received 6 months prior, contact PLU-8: IAPMarine@usmc.mil.
  • Request Official “Dummy Orders” from IPAC/S-1 Henderson Hall (hnhl_s1@usmc.mil, HNHL_RPAC@usmc.mil) in order to apply for Official Passports or for other administrative needs

Passport Applications

  • Web Orders indicate required passport type; usually Diplomatic (black) Official Passport (free of charge). Submit for you and all dependents.
  • Special Issuance Centers: They are the only places that handle Official Passports processing, they do not handle Travel Passports (blue).
    • Complete passport paperwork first (Passport Forms), and DD 1056 (DD1056_EXAMPLE.pdf, DD-Form-1056-Authorization-to-APPLY-for-No-Fee-Passport-andor-Request-for-Visa.pdf) then bring to:
      • Pentagon Passport Office – (703) 614-1651 (escort may be needed).
      • Mark Center Passport Office – (571) 372-2377 (convenient for DLI-Washington FAOs, submit Visit Request prior to appointment).
      • Walter Reed Medical Center –3012951067 (this is the office I used, and they were fast and efficient, they also have a photography office that will do the passport photos for free)
      • Or any other Special Issuance facility you can find/is more convenient based on your location.
  • Official Passport is required before visa application.
  • Recommended to also obtain Travel Passport (blue) for personal travel (Passport Forms). You will need to fill out new forms.
    • Post Office.
    • Other authorized facility.
    • It costs money but makes it easier to travel to other countries and avoids unnecessary attention that Diplomatic Passport (black) will draw.
    • You will use Diplomatic Passports to travel in and out of Thailand but we use Travel Passports to travel in and out of other countries.
      Tip: Onsite Passport photo services are available on-site for Diplomatic Passports; no need to purchase elsewhere beforehand. Ask for extra copies for Travel Passports.

Medical and Dental Overseas Screening

(2) Contact PCM and schedule Overseas Screening
(3) Complete appointment, schedule any follow-up appointments (if necessary), if not, then you should leave your appointment with all the paperwork completed
(4) Hand-deliver or scan and email paperwork to Overseas Screener, they will forward it to Ft. Belvoir staff (follow up, follow up, follow up and then follow up again).
(5) Overseas Screeners will receive the NAVPER 1300/16 and send it to you. NOTE: Ensure Page 2 is signed off by the Medical Staff and all your dependents are listed
(6) Fill out page 1 of the NAVPERS 1300/16 and submit to S-1 for command to sign off on page 3. They will return it to you and then you submit it as part of your Outbound Interview

  • Vaccines can be received via the Medical Unit at the Embassy once you arrive, but you can always ask to have them done at current MTF prior to leaving. Just make sure you know which ones to get.

Administrative Preparation

  • Contact PLU-8 to schedule for Pre-IRT Brief at Pentagon (they will normally contact you regarding this, but it doesn’t hurt to ask for your own planning purposes).

Family & Housing Planning

  • No, it is not too soon to apply for schools and housing in Thailand.
    • Housing: you will fill out your preference form and submit. Email BangkokGSOHousing@state.gov for them to send you housing questionnaire. NOTE: the housing board at the Embassy convenes at least once a month and determines housing for inbound personnel for the next month (for example: if you arrive in August, the July housing board will vote on the house submitted in your name by GSO Housing; chances are, you will not know your housing assignment until you are about to arrive).
    • Submit housing request early to GSO.
    • Consider school proximity when deciding where you want to live: You generally have two options: Downtown or Nichada Thani (about 1 hour apart in good traffic). Great schools are located near both.
    • School Research (for children):
      • Begin in January for Bangkok international schools; apply early (Jan–Mar)
      • Select top 3 schools and apply (if desired) just in case you do not get your first choice.
      • Contact CLO CloBangkok@state.gov at U.S. Embassy Bangkok (send them your Web Orders also) for more up to date information regarding school options. Also ask for you and spouse to be joined to CLO newsletter which contains useful information about events, classifieds for buying cars and golf carts, hiring domestic helpers, and other useful information (you will, join newsletters, and access info (classified/unclassified).
      • See Documents for “Welcome to Bangkok,” “Housing Information,” and “Welcome Letter” for more information on all of this.

Schedule Your PCS Move

  • Timing
    • Can schedule move later but earlier is always better.
    • Remember: PCS season is still a thing when going overseas, State Department at Embassy has a lot of change over during summer months as well and may affect your moving plans.
    • Pack-out dates can be changed but require paperwork and approval= more time.
  • FAOs on IRT to Thailand are entitled to (double check your Web Orders):
    • Household Goods (HHG).
    • Unaccompanied Baggage (UAB).
    • Non-Temporary Storage (NTS).
    • Vehicle (POV) Storage.
      •  I did not ship a vehicle, Bangkok traffic is horrendous, most people use shuttle services, Grab (SE Asia’s version of Uber and super cheap), or lease a car and higher a driver so they can still work from the backseat while they sit in traffic for two hours to get to work).
      • some people like having a car to get out of Bangkok, but there are other options to accomplish this as well.
      • To each their own, do what is good for you.
  • Schedule via move.mil or DPS. DPS – Prod
  • Schedule all moves via DPS but know that:
    • NTS and Vehicle Storage will be scheduled via DPS by local DMO
    • UAB, HHG, POV Shipment handled by U.S. State Dept contractors who will reach out to you after you submit via DPS (local DMO forwards your request in DPS to the U.S. State Dept contractors on your behalf).
      • POC for questions on this matter: M_hnhl_hqbn_dmo@usmc.mil, 703-614-7190/7191.
  • Packout Recommendations.
    • You will be authorized about 1,000 lbs. for UAB and upwards of ~14,000 for HHE BUT all housing here is Embassy or Landlord furnished.
      • You can opt to just use this furniture for a year.
      • You can bring your own furniture and request a one-time removal of issued furniture.
      • We DID NOT bring beds, couches, tables, etc.
      • We DID bring kitchen appliances, bikes, camping gear, some small furniture items, TV’s, etc.
      • To each their own again but: (1) you can either bring everything, (2) bring somethings and rough it out with the furniture already here, or (3) bring somethings and just buy cheap but good furniture here (IKEA has several stores here).
      • The choice is yours.

3 Months Prior to PCS

Visa Preparation

  • Identify visa application timeline and requirements (normally NET 90 days, NLT 30 days).
  • Reference: FGC and passport matters. DoD Foreign Clearance Guide, Passport Matters Public Site
  • Apply via Official Website of Thailand Electronic Visa. Follow directions carefully. For the portion of the Visa process where you need to obtain the Letter Verbiale, send documents required to same Special Issuance Facility that you obtained Official Passports from; this will save some time due to familiarity with your case.
  • Once submitted, it normally takes a week or two to receive.
  • Follow instructions on the website carefully, but generally it is an easy process.

Verify NSDD-38 currency

(embassy billet management system) with JUSMAGTHAI
    • Make sure they are tracking you are in-bound, who your replacement will be, timelines, etc. to ensure smooth transition and accreditation process (more to follow on that topic).
    • If have not done already, contact GSO Housing, CLO and Customer Service Center BKKCSC@state.gov (send Web Orders also) to be added to distro list, submit for housing, be scheduled for check in, etc.
    • Create a MyServices account (State Department). https://myservices.servicenowservices.com/home. This will assist you in the PCS process as well but not required on the DoD side.

International Driver’s Permit (IDP)

    • Required to rent/buy vehicles in Thailand.
    • Do not need a Thai Driver’s License to operate a vehicle (double check this info as requirements change form time to time) but at check-in, you will have the opportunity to apply for one. Embassy staff will assist you in the process.
    • Make sure to renew U.S. license (if applicable) prior to departing .
    • International Driver’s Permit via AAA is excepted in Thailand IDP Form.
    • Stateside application faster; valid 1 year, so put start date as first day you arrive in Thailand when filling out the form in order to maximize the amount of time you have it for.

Security Clearance Verification Letter

  • Required for One Badge (State Department version of CAC card that gains you access to State Department email and SharePoint, access to buildings, etc).
  • Request via PLU-8 (DAO at Embassy may be able to do it for you as well, they did for me. Ask your work sponsor at JUSMAG).
  • Instructions will be given to you by JUSMAG regarding who to send it to and how later on, just go ahead and obtain the document in advance.

Power of Attorney, Will, and other family documents

  • Ensure they are current.

Funding for Children’s School

  • Funding for DoD is through the Non-Department of Defense School Program (NDSP).
  • Create an account and they will direct you from there. DoDEA NDSP Student Online Registration
  • Once you arrive in country, let them know and coordinate with the school for the invoice to upload.
  • There is an NDSP rep at JUSMAG that can handle it all for you and keep you informed.

1 Months Prior to PCS

APACS

  • Request APACS access APACS Login. GOOD
    • Required prior to arrival.
    • Confirm lead times, training, and processing via Foreign Clearance Guide.
    • No need to complete Travel Tracker/Individual AT Plan (TT/IATP) for PCS country.
    • TT/IATP required for any other country visits: IATP.

Arrange overseas travel via SATO

    • DLI Washington: 866-928-1154. Or visit them at their office located at Henderson Hall
    • Can be done sooner but make sure you have your pack-out dates and test dates first as well as know your leave plans to avoid unnecessary changes at the last minute.

Complete Outbound Interview & Orders

  • S-1 will inform you of what you need but usually it consist of
    • Signed NAVPERS 1300/16
    • APCS approval.
    • Airfare Tickets.
    • Web Orders.
    • Joint Anti-Terrorism Level 1 Certificate for you and your spouse and any other eligible family members JKO. JKO LMS (Your spouse can complete through website https://secure.jten.mil/jkohd/sponsored.jsp
  • Once fully complete, S-1 will generate Official Orders that you pick up form IPAC on day of departure from duty station.
  • Make sure to pick up a check-out sheet from S-1, complete (should take all of 1-2 hours, depending if people are in their office or not, many parts are self-check out i.e. you sign it yourself), then submit to IPAC either in advance or on the day of departure when you pick up orders.

REMEMBER: Stay focused on DLI & Language Testing!!!

  • Achieve minimum 2/2/1+ score in primary language before IRT.
  • Testing POC: Mrs. Herndon, Estell.p.herndon.civ@army.mil, 703-692-5415. She will schedule your test and send you your scores via DA 330 Score Report.
  • Submit DA330 Score Report:
    • To PLU-8: IAPMarine@usmc.mil (just for their SA)
    • S-1 Henderson Hall to begin your Foreign Language Bonus Pay, assign your new MOS, etc.
    • Submit to NPS via hmeldrid@nps.edu (graduation requirement) and update address for shipping of diploma.

Embassy & JUSMAG Coordination

  • Again, ensure JUSMAG is tracking you and coordinate with them for Airport pick up and hotel/permanent housing drop off.
  • contact CSC to track check-in dates, Newcomer’s Orientation.
  • Housing for confirmation of permanent quarters.

Arrange for Temporary Quarters

  • If necessary, lock on TQ in Bangkok. Check the State Department Per Diem website as they are the final authority for setting lodging and Per Diem amounts overseas.

Admin Items

  • Complete PFT/CFT and Height and Weight prior to departure via Henderson Hall S-3.
  • Submit MROW to PLU-8 for DLI Fitness Report.
  • Ensure GTCC and DTS accounts are active, approved, and permanent credit line increased.
  • Acquire external CAC reader and install drivers/certificates.
  • Advise you to purchase a cheap portable scanner for travel receipts, etc.
  • Keep all documents & items in folder, briefcase, or travel bag.
  • Complete SERE Code of Conduct 100.2 (Joint Knowledge Online: JKO).

Arrival

  • Contact S-1 and IPAC and inform them of your arrival so that you can receive your Reporting Endorsement.
  • Contact PLU-8 and inform them of arrival.
  • Submit daily morning report via Signal App (you will be added by another FAO on IRT with Admin rights).
  • Update status with all relevant agencies: TRICARE Overseas, DoDEA, etc.
  • Submit Travel Claim via MOL.
  • Formal Embassy Check-In (including dependents).
    • Accreditation process begins the day you check in with Embassy so try not to avoid for too long, it can take up to six weeks or longer. Accreditation is needed for:
      • Release of HHE (UAB is delivered regardless of status).
      • Housing (in some cases, but not all).
      • Open a Thai Bank Account (again, in some cases but not all).
      • YOU CAN NOT travel OUTSIDE of Thailand before you are accredited. If you do, when you return, the accreditation process starts all over.
  • Develop and submit POI.
  • Make a language sustainment plan:
    • Routine practice to avoid language decay.
    • Suggestions: read news/books, watch movies/news, weekly tutor sessions.

Points of Contact

  • Henderson Hall RPAC
    •  
  • Unaccompanied Marines – PP&O will pay housing costs.