Are the DoD jobs overseas tough to get? What should I be looking at and what should I expect during the application process?

I've mentored many a SM making the transition. You need to look at the long game. You can only occupy the overseas billet for so long; usually 2-3 years with a possible one year bump. That rule is in place to deter folk from going native. Then what happens? You go on the Stopper List (Priority Placement Program) for a billet in CONUS. Since you didn't come from a billet that you have return rights to, you can be placed pretty much anywhere involuntarily. Persistent vacancies tend to be at the poor morale, poor living, etc. locations. The general culture in CONUS is a bit negative towards Stoppers because they can't do a full competition. If you don't promote a certain amount from within, morale goes down long term. An option worth checking out is a position in a CONUS location you can sink some roots into and then slide into an overseas position with return rights. As a senior CIV manager, I had some great people with wanderlust. So I slid them out to Crete, Scotland, Japan, and other locations. It does create a pinch when they are gone as the billets in CONUS are encumbered and typically get filled by temps or others looking to retire in a few years. It's all part of body shop management. How good your application, experience, relevant education, etc. is another topic. BTW the "Veterans Preference" is for first entry position only and there are Series which it doesn't apply. Those are mostly scientific, engineering, etc. Good luck.

Your mileage may vary.

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