My long term goals seem to change about ever 3-4 weeks.
Last 4 weeks was go to Airborne school and get attached to group, so as to deploy and do the coolguy shit that my MOS does, then drop a Green to Gold, get a masters, and retire ~18 years from now as an officer, if I could handle the bullshit for that long.
Now I'm thinking, "What if I just get out and be a contractor/DoD civilian or go get a masters (not sure in what yet) with my GI bill and be a teacher or even higher-paid contractor and not have to deal with this shit all the time?" I mean, everyone everywhere in every job has to deal with some shit. But at least civilian bosses can't give me 2100 curfew and say I can't drink alcohol. Their authority ends at the door of the workplace. They can't forbid me to wear a tank top outside when I'm in my yard.
Army promotions in general seem pretty fucked up, O or E side. Merit has no bearing on anything outside of PT, from schools to actual job performance, we all just muddle along based on TIS.
Grumble grumble grumble.
Maybe by 40, I'll figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
The unit I hated the absolute most on my first tour was 10th Mountain. Fuck those guys. I drew a sign on my truck that read "Hey meat rocket, if you can read this, fuck you. Sincerely, Red Leg" With a big 'ol middle finger. Sure my command didn't like it, but fuck it.
The second time over, I hated MY unit the absolute most. Absolutely embarrassing, one of the reasons I left the Army.
My long term goals seem to change about ever 3-4 weeks.
Last 4 weeks was go to Airborne school and get attached to group, so as to deploy and do the coolguy shit that my MOS does, then drop a Green to Gold, get a masters, and retire ~18 years from now as an officer, if I could handle the bullshit for that long.
Now I'm thinking, "What if I just get out and be a contractor/DoD civilian or go get a masters (not sure in what yet) with my GI bill and be a teacher or even higher-paid contractor and not have to deal with this shit all the time?" I mean, everyone everywhere in every job has to deal with some shit. But at least civilian bosses can't give me 2100 curfew and say I can't drink alcohol. Their authority ends at the door of the workplace. They can't forbid me to wear a tank top outside when I'm in my yard.
Army promotions in general seem pretty fucked up, O or E side. Merit has no bearing on anything outside of PT, from schools to actual job performance, we all just muddle along based on TIS.
Grumble grumble grumble.
Maybe by 40, I'll figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
It's not a bad plan. I don't know a single retired officer who is hurting for money's. Going contractor is a great way too. DOD civilian from officer is hit or miss. I know an O-4 who went fed and is stuck as a GS-9, however going from officer to say Northrop Grumman, is a good way to make a shit load of money. L-3, SAIC, Northrop, Raytheon, all pay fantastically well. DOD work pays good too, and there is great job security, but it takes a masters to really move up, and sometimes the experience doesn't line up correctly and you have to start as a GS-7. Also because many agencies are on hiring freeze you can get stuck in grade way easier than in the past. If you have contacts that is one thing, but if you are doing it as just joe average candidate. You might want to consider going contractor.
My long term goals seem to change about ever 3-4 weeks.
Last 4 weeks was go to Airborne school and get attached to group, so as to deploy and do the coolguy shit that my MOS does, then drop a Green to Gold, get a masters, and retire ~18 years from now as an officer, if I could handle the bullshit for that long.
Now I'm thinking, "What if I just get out and be a contractor/DoD civilian or go get a masters (not sure in what yet) with my GI bill and be a teacher or even higher-paid contractor and not have to deal with this shit all the time?" I mean, everyone everywhere in every job has to deal with some shit. But at least civilian bosses can't give me 2100 curfew and say I can't drink alcohol. Their authority ends at the door of the workplace. They can't forbid me to wear a tank top outside when I'm in my yard.
Army promotions in general seem pretty fucked up, O or E side. Merit has no bearing on anything outside of PT, from schools to actual job performance, we all just muddle along based on TIS.
Grumble grumble grumble.
Maybe by 40, I'll figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
It's not a bad plan. I don't know a single retired officer who is hurting for money's. Going contractor is a great way too. DOD civilian from officer is hit or miss. I know an O-4 who went fed and is stuck as a GS-9, however going from officer to say Northrop Grumman, is a good way to make a shit load of money. L-3, SAIC, Northrop, Raytheon, all pay fantastically well. DOD work pays good too, and there is great job security, but it takes a masters to really move up, and sometimes the experience doesn't line up correctly and you have to start as a GS-7. Also because many agencies are on hiring freeze you can get stuck in grade way easier than in the past. If you have contacts that is one thing, but if you are doing it as just joe average candidate. You might want to consider going contractor.
The nice thing about DOD time is that you can convert your active time retirement as a fed civilian.
Also, LOLwut to the O-4. They should be going in as a GS-13 or maybe a GS-12.
Also, LOLwut to the O-4. They should be going in as a GS-13 or maybe a GS-12.
That'll probably depend on what they did in the service, and what they're doing on the fed side. Simply having a college degree and commissioned experience isn't necessarily going to get you GS-12, it depends entirely what kind of positions are open that you qualify for. Also where you're applying...frankly, some organizations have their pay grades slightly inflated compared to others.
OTOH, I started looking as an E-4 and landed a GS-11 position (GS-12 now). But then I got an engineering degree while in the Guard, so....
As for converting time, unless I'm way off you can't draw retirement on the military side if you convert it...so if you hit twenty it may or may not be in your interest to convert (you'd have to run the numbers on keeping military pension vice converting to FERS). If you don't hit twenty, however, then yeah that's definitely a huge benefit. I haven't done it yet, I should get on it, but I absolutely intend to buy my time (five years or so active time) into FERS.
mcdermott on
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zepherinRussian warship, go fuck yourselfRegistered Userregular
My long term goals seem to change about ever 3-4 weeks.
Last 4 weeks was go to Airborne school and get attached to group, so as to deploy and do the coolguy shit that my MOS does, then drop a Green to Gold, get a masters, and retire ~18 years from now as an officer, if I could handle the bullshit for that long.
Now I'm thinking, "What if I just get out and be a contractor/DoD civilian or go get a masters (not sure in what yet) with my GI bill and be a teacher or even higher-paid contractor and not have to deal with this shit all the time?" I mean, everyone everywhere in every job has to deal with some shit. But at least civilian bosses can't give me 2100 curfew and say I can't drink alcohol. Their authority ends at the door of the workplace. They can't forbid me to wear a tank top outside when I'm in my yard.
Army promotions in general seem pretty fucked up, O or E side. Merit has no bearing on anything outside of PT, from schools to actual job performance, we all just muddle along based on TIS.
Grumble grumble grumble.
Maybe by 40, I'll figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
It's not a bad plan. I don't know a single retired officer who is hurting for money's. Going contractor is a great way too. DOD civilian from officer is hit or miss. I know an O-4 who went fed and is stuck as a GS-9, however going from officer to say Northrop Grumman, is a good way to make a shit load of money. L-3, SAIC, Northrop, Raytheon, all pay fantastically well. DOD work pays good too, and there is great job security, but it takes a masters to really move up, and sometimes the experience doesn't line up correctly and you have to start as a GS-7. Also because many agencies are on hiring freeze you can get stuck in grade way easier than in the past. If you have contacts that is one thing, but if you are doing it as just joe average candidate. You might want to consider going contractor.
The nice thing about DOD time is that you can convert your active time retirement as a fed civilian.
Also, LOLwut to the O-4. They should be going in as a GS-13 or maybe a GS-12.
The problem is a gs11 who was an e5 is going to beat out an officer for a gs12 almost every time. Federal employment is heavily in favor of gs employees with vets preference. It's easier for them to justify giving a gs11 position to a gs 9 who did 4 and out than an O6 who did 20 and out. The checklist is kind of against officers in this regard. It's bullshit, but a the fed hiring system is just systematic insanity. Unless you have a very desirable skill set. IE engineer.
I'm not trying to be negative, and I hope you can get a high paying fed job, I'm just saying with the current environment it may be a better bet to go contractor.
Jesus, O-4 stuck at GS9? That's crazy, I've been only looking at 11/12 and some 13 gigs.
It hurts that I don't have the degree finished, but I am making progress on that.
To be fair he's a bit of a dingus. He didn't choose to leave, he was on the out side of up or out, but the problem is still there. Military experience is worth +5 points or +10 if you are disabled. And rank doesn't matter you will be distilled to a set of numbers and those numbers into check boxes. To the federal hiring process all ranks are equal.
The army was my first job. I used to think the military was screwed up. I quit the army and got a civilian job. Guess what, it was just as screwed up as the army.
The army was my first job. I used to think the military was screwed up. I quit the army and got a civilian job. Guess what, it was just as screwed up as the army.
At least bad boss won't get you killed in the civilian world. Usually. I'm watching Generation Kill right now and it reminds me of things.
My shop had a going away party in this Korean virtual golf place called Golfzon. It was an absolute blast, so I'm taking golf lessons to participate in the event the other officers go to in the future. Koreans are big on golf.
Hanscom AFB outside of Boston! @VeritasVR has given me some good knowledge so far. Thanks for the leads guys. It'll be a while before orders are in my hands but now I know what's available.
Anyone that is a reservist and want to go active for a bit in the Fort Meade area? Looks like army or or force. IT Project Manager O-1 to O-3. PCS eligible
Or Telecom specialist (5 positions) 1-3 years; PCS eligible E-4 to E-7
PSN: jfrofl
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Waffles or whateverPreviously known as, I shit you not, "Waffen"Registered Userregular
Well I got kicked out of the Army Recon Course today. My unit's Commander here read the counseling(s), pulled out my one from ABOLC, and held them side-by-side. He then put the ARC one into the shredder and said, "8th Cav I assume? This counseling means nothing, otherwise you wouldn't of graduated ABOLC on the Commandant's List. Wanna go back? No? I don't blame you" I feel better being out. I felt like from day 1 my cadre were targeting me and I could never really feel comfortable, confident, and eager to learn when I was being ridiculed and bullied by them when I was there.
That's shitty to hear man. Awesome that your units CC has your back like that.
Here's a bunny thing to help cheer you up:
PSN: jfrofl
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Waffles or whateverPreviously known as, I shit you not, "Waffen"Registered Userregular
Just kinda sucks because I've never failed a course like that before. I keep thinking that if I had a different squad I would've been fine. I mostly have blame towards my instructors because they didn't really seem interested in developing LTs, but rather finding ways to get people out of the course.
My long term goals seem to change about ever 3-4 weeks.
Last 4 weeks was go to Airborne school and get attached to group, so as to deploy and do the coolguy shit that my MOS does, then drop a Green to Gold, get a masters, and retire ~18 years from now as an officer, if I could handle the bullshit for that long.
Now I'm thinking, "What if I just get out and be a contractor/DoD civilian or go get a masters (not sure in what yet) with my GI bill and be a teacher or even higher-paid contractor and not have to deal with this shit all the time?" I mean, everyone everywhere in every job has to deal with some shit. But at least civilian bosses can't give me 2100 curfew and say I can't drink alcohol. Their authority ends at the door of the workplace. They can't forbid me to wear a tank top outside when I'm in my yard.
Army promotions in general seem pretty fucked up, O or E side. Merit has no bearing on anything outside of PT, from schools to actual job performance, we all just muddle along based on TIS.
Grumble grumble grumble.
Maybe by 40, I'll figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
It's not a bad plan. I don't know a single retired officer who is hurting for money's. Going contractor is a great way too. DOD civilian from officer is hit or miss. I know an O-4 who went fed and is stuck as a GS-9, however going from officer to say Northrop Grumman, is a good way to make a shit load of money. L-3, SAIC, Northrop, Raytheon, all pay fantastically well. DOD work pays good too, and there is great job security, but it takes a masters to really move up, and sometimes the experience doesn't line up correctly and you have to start as a GS-7. Also because many agencies are on hiring freeze you can get stuck in grade way easier than in the past. If you have contacts that is one thing, but if you are doing it as just joe average candidate. You might want to consider going contractor.
Going contractor WAS a great idea. Right now, shit tons and shit tons of people are getting laid off. We're coming out of wartime, we're operating under reduced budgets, in general defense contracting is way down. Hugely depends on what your skill set is. It's not as nice as it was 5 years ago, though.
What is this I don't even.
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darklite_xI'm not an r-tard...Registered Userregular
Contracting in the IT sector will only ever become bigger imo. It'd have to be specialized IT though, network security, computer programming, ethical hacker, etc.
Steam ID: darklite_x Xbox Gamertag: Darklite 37 PSN:Rage_Kage_37 Battle.Net:darklite#2197
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zepherinRussian warship, go fuck yourselfRegistered Userregular
Going contractor WAS a great idea. Right now, shit tons and shit tons of people are getting laid off. We're coming out of wartime, we're operating under reduced budgets, in general defense contracting is way down. Hugely depends on what your skill set is. It's not as nice as it was 5 years ago, though.
Your thinking in the 2000-2006 range which is the 8-14 years ago. And your right people were making shit loads of money. 2009, was an all time low in spending though, But honestly no industry is as good as it was in 2006, but now is better than 5 years ago. Operating budgets have stabilized, and Capital budgets have become flush. There are a lot of govt projects going on right now because of new capital money.
Going contractor WAS a great idea. Right now, shit tons and shit tons of people are getting laid off. We're coming out of wartime, we're operating under reduced budgets, in general defense contracting is way down. Hugely depends on what your skill set is. It's not as nice as it was 5 years ago, though.
Your thinking in the 2000-2006 range which is the 8-14 years ago. And your right people were making shit loads of money. 2009, was an all time low in spending though, But honestly no industry is as good as it was in 2006, but now is better than 5 years ago. Operating budgets have stabilized, and Capital budgets have become flush. There are a lot of govt projects going on right now because of new capital money.
We have different takes on it, then, which I guess means there's some good spaces. From what I see, contracting is flush with retired veterans and veterans coming off the service, and there's more people applying for any given job than there was in a long time.
I briefed an SES civilian (O-7/8 equivalent) today! It kind of rocked. Briefing is great if you know your stuff solid, speak with purpose, and keep it simple.
That's shitty to hear man. Awesome that your units CC has your back like that.
Here's a bunny thing to help cheer you up:
Whoops, the Squadron Commander isn't though. I get to report to his office and talk to him why I failed ARC with my BOLC Commander present. This is gonna suck.
That's shitty to hear man. Awesome that your units CC has your back like that.
Here's a bunny thing to help cheer you up:
Whoops, the Squadron Commander isn't though. I get to report to his office and talk to him why I failed ARC with my BOLC Commander present. This is gonna suck.
I get the feeling that this is SOP though. You aren't the first and won't be the last.
It's basically a 'school failure', right? All of that goes up on the chain of command's blotter.
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Waffles or whateverPreviously known as, I shit you not, "Waffen"Registered Userregular
edited August 2014
Chill conversation. Overall, he asked me what I learned and I told him a pretty long, detailed list of what I learned and did. He wasn't upset because in his words, "Compared to the two other bozos you sound genuine. You must've gotten bad instructors" and wants to send me back now. -_- I just don't feel ready to go back to ARC just yet. I wanna go back to my unit and get the leadership experience before going back, but now my unit wants to send me back asap. Le sigh Already had the apartment notified for the 30 day notice as well as my incoming apartment notified. Oh well
Brighter news, discovered my time in service was jacked up. Getting 0 years TIS, actually had four years TIS that counts from Reserve -> Active. Xmas is gonna rock
Chill conversation. Overall, he asked me what I learned and I told him a pretty long, detailed list of what I learned and did. He wasn't upset because in his words, "Compared to the two other bozos you sound genuine. You must've gotten bad instructors" and wants to send me back now. -_- I just don't feel ready to go back to ARC just yet. I wanna go back to my unit and get the leadership experience before going back, but now my unit wants to send me back asap. Le sigh Already had the apartment notified for the 30 day notice as well as my incoming apartment notified. Oh well
Brighter news, discovered my time in service was jacked up. Getting 0 years TIS, actually had four years TIS that counts from Reserve -> Active. Xmas is gonna rock
At least the option is better than no option. Glad to hear that your CC understood.
Posts
Last 4 weeks was go to Airborne school and get attached to group, so as to deploy and do the coolguy shit that my MOS does, then drop a Green to Gold, get a masters, and retire ~18 years from now as an officer, if I could handle the bullshit for that long.
Now I'm thinking, "What if I just get out and be a contractor/DoD civilian or go get a masters (not sure in what yet) with my GI bill and be a teacher or even higher-paid contractor and not have to deal with this shit all the time?" I mean, everyone everywhere in every job has to deal with some shit. But at least civilian bosses can't give me 2100 curfew and say I can't drink alcohol. Their authority ends at the door of the workplace. They can't forbid me to wear a tank top outside when I'm in my yard.
Army promotions in general seem pretty fucked up, O or E side. Merit has no bearing on anything outside of PT, from schools to actual job performance, we all just muddle along based on TIS.
Grumble grumble grumble.
Maybe by 40, I'll figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
PS4:MrZoompants
Oh man, that'd be awesome. The only thing I know currently is I want to get back overseas.
GI Bill is the best of things, though!
But so is retirement after 20.
The second time over, I hated MY unit the absolute most. Absolutely embarrassing, one of the reasons I left the Army.
Only really having one person I respect in my NCO support channel and chain of command helps tip it over to the hate a lot though!
PS4:MrZoompants
Sounds about right. When I start counting more days I hate the AF than days I love it, I'll know it's time to get out.
The nice thing about DOD time is that you can convert your active time retirement as a fed civilian.
Also, LOLwut to the O-4. They should be going in as a GS-13 or maybe a GS-12.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
That'll probably depend on what they did in the service, and what they're doing on the fed side. Simply having a college degree and commissioned experience isn't necessarily going to get you GS-12, it depends entirely what kind of positions are open that you qualify for. Also where you're applying...frankly, some organizations have their pay grades slightly inflated compared to others.
OTOH, I started looking as an E-4 and landed a GS-11 position (GS-12 now). But then I got an engineering degree while in the Guard, so....
As for converting time, unless I'm way off you can't draw retirement on the military side if you convert it...so if you hit twenty it may or may not be in your interest to convert (you'd have to run the numbers on keeping military pension vice converting to FERS). If you don't hit twenty, however, then yeah that's definitely a huge benefit. I haven't done it yet, I should get on it, but I absolutely intend to buy my time (five years or so active time) into FERS.
I'm not trying to be negative, and I hope you can get a high paying fed job, I'm just saying with the current environment it may be a better bet to go contractor.
It hurts that I don't have the degree finished, but I am making progress on that.
www.ahrn.com
― John Quincy Adams
Where are you looking? Buy or rent?
www.militarybyowner.com
www.trulia.com
www.redfin.com
http://gnomophobia.com
Sounds like a good deployment then.
At least bad boss won't get you killed in the civilian world. Usually. I'm watching Generation Kill right now and it reminds me of things.
That, and your boss won't swing by your house and bitch at you for not making your bed.
EDIT: Which is to say the military sucks balls in special and unique ways in both peacetime and war.
Hanscom AFB outside of Boston! @VeritasVR has given me some good knowledge so far. Thanks for the leads guys. It'll be a while before orders are in my hands but now I know what's available.
I'm actually from that are! Though I don't live there currently. I'm a bit further down the coast (NJ).
Or Telecom specialist (5 positions) 1-3 years; PCS eligible E-4 to E-7
Here's a bunny thing to help cheer you up:
Going contractor WAS a great idea. Right now, shit tons and shit tons of people are getting laid off. We're coming out of wartime, we're operating under reduced budgets, in general defense contracting is way down. Hugely depends on what your skill set is. It's not as nice as it was 5 years ago, though.
We have different takes on it, then, which I guess means there's some good spaces. From what I see, contracting is flush with retired veterans and veterans coming off the service, and there's more people applying for any given job than there was in a long time.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
So Awesome....
PS4:MrZoompants
Nobody creates drama better than the FRG. But yeah, alcohol consumption + army wives is never going to end well.
Yeah I can see why getting drunk on that is a bad idea.
Today I learned!
Whoops, the Squadron Commander isn't though. I get to report to his office and talk to him why I failed ARC with my BOLC Commander present. This is gonna suck.
I get the feeling that this is SOP though. You aren't the first and won't be the last.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
Brighter news, discovered my time in service was jacked up. Getting 0 years TIS, actually had four years TIS that counts from Reserve -> Active. Xmas is gonna rock
At least the option is better than no option. Glad to hear that your CC understood.
Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!