This is the letter that Peace Corps sends out describing the volunteer's serviice, hence called Description of Service. As you can tell it is a form letter in which you fill in the blanks. SO here is the last two years of my life

After a competitive application process stressing applicant skills, adaptability and cross-cultural understanding, Peter Vernezze was invited into Peace Corps service.  He was assigned to teach English as a Foreign Language at Sichuan Normal University in Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China.

Peter Vernezze entered training on July 1, 2006 participating in an intensive 10 week training program in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, which included approximately 200 hours of Chinese language/cross cultural classes, 100 hours of technical training on teaching English as a Foreign Language, education methodologies and curriculum design, and topics on the history, economics, political development, and cultural norms of China.  As part of the technical training, Peter Vernezze completed 3 weeks of practice teaching in a model school.

At the completion of Pre-Service Training, Peter Vernezze was tested by a certified Foreign Language examiner. He scored a “high elementary” level in standard Chinese on the ACTFL testing scale.

Having successfully completed the comprehensive Pre-Service Training, Peter Vernezze was then sworn into service on September 7th, 2006.

He was responsible to Sichuan Normal University during his service in China. Peter Vernezze served as a full time English teacher assigned to Sichuan Normal University where he was one of 250 faculty members.  The school offered four grades of study and had an enrollment of approximately 13, 000 students.  Peter Vernezze reported directly to Yang Tianqing, Associate Director of the Office of International Education. Instruction was set in formal classroom settings exclusively for Chinese students.

Additionally, during his service Peter Vernezze worked with his students and Chinese colleagues in a myriad of capacities including:
1. Establishing a philosophical discussion group.  The group, which met weekly for the duration of Peter Vernezze’s tenure at Sichuan Normal University, attracted a following both inside and outside of the Sichuan Normal University campus, and even came to the notice of National Public Radio when they spent a week in Chengdu.

2. Moderating a campus wide film series on classic and contemporary American films.

3. Participating in a three week session during summer 2007 at Sichuan Educational Institution. The session was designed to train Chinese middle school teachers in pedagogical methodology.

4. Presenting numerous campus-wide lectures to the Sichuan Normal University community.

5.  Assisting the Sichuan University Office of International Education in their program to place students at American universities by recording a set of his philosophy course lectures for use by students.

At the completion of the Peace Corps Service in China, Peter Vernezze was re-tested by a certified Foreign Language examiner in late April 2008. He scored an “advanced low” level in standard Mandarin.

This is to certify in accordance with Executive Order 11103 of April 10, 1963, that Peter Vernezze served successfully as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His service ended on July 11, 2008. He is therefore eligible to be appointed as a career-conditional employee in the competitive civil service on a non-competitive basis. This benefit under the Executive Order extends for a period of one year after termination of Volunteer service, except that the employing agency may extend the period for up to three years for a former Volunteer who enters military service, pursues studies at a recognized institution of higher learning, or engages in other activities that, in the view of the appointing agency, warrant extension of the period.

Pursuant to Section 5 (f) of the Peace Corps Act, 22 U.S.C. No. 2504 (f) as amended, any former Volunteer employed by the United States Government following his/her Peace Corps service is entitled to have any period of satisfactory Peace Corps Volunteer service credited for purposes of retirement, seniority, reduction in force, leave or other privileges based on length of government service.  Peace Corps service shall not be credited toward completion of a probationary or trial period or completion of any service requirement for career appointment