Nelson Atwell
Well-Known Member
Here's a big decision I'm being faced with...regarding the direction of my career in the Federal Government.
Facts:
- 18-1/2 years of military service -- Grade E-6 (TSgt)
- 44 year old, Single dad, w/ a 14 year old daughter and ex-wife that is a proven (and even admits it) failure at being a full-time parent
- Promotion results to E-7 (MSgt) will be announced on 15 Jun 06; if selected, I have 14 days to decide whether or not to stay in an additional two years to retire with the new grade.
- If a two-year commitment is not given, the promotion will not be effective after retirement at 20 years.
- a GS-11 (about a $60K/year job; I currently earn about $40K/year) job is opening in my office the day before I am eligible to retire. I am fully qualified to fill this job and have a good shot at getting it, but there is no guarantee of me getting the job, due to Federal hiring regulations.
- If I decide to stay in the Air Force I will be facing the possibility of being relocated during 2007, due to elimination of 25% of the jobs in my career field, Air Force-wide. Also, the job I currently perform will be civilianized or made an additional duty for other career fields.
- My daughter loves her school, and I bought a house 15 months ago. If I am relocated overseas, I potentially have to sell the house, and my ex won't let my daughter travel with me (her approval is needed for the passport and government travel orders)
The decision seems pretty clear-cut if I don't get the promotion -- I just stay put until I get orders someplace else and then get out under the seven-day refusal option. However, if I make the promotion, all options are on the table, and some don't look too good. The bad things is, I have to make the decision within the next two weeks, and the information about the changes in my career field and the Air Force in general weren't known to me until today. Making the wrong decision could potentially cost me a fortune in lost wages during the remainder of my lifetime.
Any opinions?
Facts:
- 18-1/2 years of military service -- Grade E-6 (TSgt)
- 44 year old, Single dad, w/ a 14 year old daughter and ex-wife that is a proven (and even admits it) failure at being a full-time parent
- Promotion results to E-7 (MSgt) will be announced on 15 Jun 06; if selected, I have 14 days to decide whether or not to stay in an additional two years to retire with the new grade.
- If a two-year commitment is not given, the promotion will not be effective after retirement at 20 years.
- a GS-11 (about a $60K/year job; I currently earn about $40K/year) job is opening in my office the day before I am eligible to retire. I am fully qualified to fill this job and have a good shot at getting it, but there is no guarantee of me getting the job, due to Federal hiring regulations.
- If I decide to stay in the Air Force I will be facing the possibility of being relocated during 2007, due to elimination of 25% of the jobs in my career field, Air Force-wide. Also, the job I currently perform will be civilianized or made an additional duty for other career fields.
- My daughter loves her school, and I bought a house 15 months ago. If I am relocated overseas, I potentially have to sell the house, and my ex won't let my daughter travel with me (her approval is needed for the passport and government travel orders)
The decision seems pretty clear-cut if I don't get the promotion -- I just stay put until I get orders someplace else and then get out under the seven-day refusal option. However, if I make the promotion, all options are on the table, and some don't look too good. The bad things is, I have to make the decision within the next two weeks, and the information about the changes in my career field and the Air Force in general weren't known to me until today. Making the wrong decision could potentially cost me a fortune in lost wages during the remainder of my lifetime.
Any opinions?
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