Before, During, and After an Unaccompanied Tour

Before an Unaccompanied Tour

The Department of State provides a number of resources and services that may be helpful when an employee is considering bidding on an unaccompanied post.

• GCLO’s Unaccompanied Tours Team – Email GCLOAskUT@state.gov for all questions you may have in preparation for your unaccompanied tour.
• Decision Tree [322 KB]  – A guide to help employees decide where their families will live while serving on an unaccompanied tour.
• Contact Information Form – Anywhere in the world, employees, family members, and friends of an employee on an unaccompanied tour can receive regular communications from GCLO with information on resources, programs, and services. Email GCLOAskUT@state.gov to request a Contact Information Form.
• Choosing a Safe Haven – Important information regarding where to choose as a safe haven location.
• EFM Employment at UT Posts – Contact the following: MissionPakistanEFMs@state.gov, BaghdadEFMAps@state.gov
• Office of Allowances Information – Key information on Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance (ISMA).
• Home Leave – When a Department of State employee is transferring from a foreign post to an onward unaccompanied assignment, qualifying Eligible Family Members (EFMs) are eligible for paid travel to their Home Leave (HL) address AND for additional travel orders to their Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance (ISMA) location, if such additional orders are necessary. In cases where the Home Leave location is different from the ISMA location, the USG will continue to cover the expenses associated with shipping of the family’s HHE/UAB and POV to the ISMA location, per 14 FAM 613.3-1g. EFMs traveling to an official ISMA foreign location must cost construct their travel and related shipping expenses against the ‘virtual’ ISMA location they have named in CONUS.
• WorkLife4You – The Department of State’s contracted resource and referral service for employees and their family members. Use WorkLife4You to find a pre-deployment checklist, legal and financial services and helpful articles such as communicating and reuniting. For login information, email GCLOAskUT@state.gov.
• Deployment Stress Management Program (DSMP) – Managed by the Bureau of Medical Services, DSMP offers prevention, intervention, assessment, treatment, counseling, education and referral services covering the spectrum of the pre-deployment cycle through after reintegration. Email at MEDECS@state.gov.
• Employee Consultation Service (ECS) – ECS offers free, confidential counseling with professional clinical social workers to Department of State employees and family members. Contact ECS at 703-812-2275 or email MEDECS@state.gov.

During an Unaccompanied Tour

The Department of State provides a number of resources and services to support employees and their families while they are serving at an unaccompanied post overseas.

• Certificates & Medals of Recognition – Honoring children for their sacrifice during absence of parents. To learn more about eligibility for this program and request a nomination form, email GCLOAskUT@state.gov.
• UT Children’s Workbooks – Age appropriate workbooks designed by a Foreign Service Officer to help children understand the separation. To order a pre-printed workbook, email GCLOAskUT@state.gov.
• Travel of Children of Separated Families – Some children who have a parent at an unaccompanied post may be eligible for travel allowances – 3 FAM 3750.
• Community Liaison Office (CLO) Coordinators– Provide support to families during an Unaccompanied Tour who remain at post. Email GCLOAskCLO@state.gov to find your post’s CLO.
• Deployment Stress Management Program (DSMP) – Managed by the Bureau of Medical Services, DSMP offers prevention, intervention, assessment, treatment, counseling, education and referral services covering the spectrum of the pre-deployment cycle through after reintegration. Email MEDECS@state.gov.

• Employee Consultation Service (ECS) – ECS offers free, confidential counseling with professional clinical social workers to Department of State employees and family members. Contact ECS at 202-634-4874 or email MEDECS@state.gov.
• The Office of Casualty Assistance (OCA) – provides administrative assistance and on-going support to families following the death of a US citizen Department of State employee serving abroad or their family member, or of a Department of State employee in the United States. Contact the Office of Casualty Assistance at 202-736-4302 or oca@state.gov.

After an Unaccompanied Tour

For employees returning from an unaccompanied tour, the Department provides the following support services.

• Mandatory High Stress Post Out brief at Foreign Service Institute (FSI)  – Three hour out brief held at FSI for employees returning from challenging assignments, mandatory for all employees serving 90 days or more in Iraq.
• Deployment Stress Management Program (DSMP) – Managed by the Bureau of Medical Services, DSMP offers prevention, intervention, assessment, treatment, counseling, education and referral services covering the spectrum of the pre-deployment cycle through after reintegration. Email MEDECS@state.gov.
• Employee Consultation Service (ECS) – ECS offers free, confidential counseling with professional clinical social workers to Department of State employees and family members. Contact ECS at 202-634-4874 or email MEDECS@state.gov.
• After Deployment – Resource supporting Service Members, their Families, and Veterans, with common post-deployment concerns. The website provides self-care solutions targeting post-traumatic stress, depression, anger, sleep, relationship concerns, and other mental health challenges.

Frequently Requested Department of State Contacts

• Department of State Operations Center (emergencies only): 202-647-1512
• Department of State Main Operator: 202-647-4000