The Joys(?) of PCSing

Completing a Permanent Change of Station or PCS is turning out to be a bit more challenging than I realized. On top of the bureaucratic nightmare of paperwork and "out-processing," I now am unemployed with no idea what I'm going to find when I get to my next base. From an emotional perspective, PCSing just sucks. I'm so sad about moving away from the friends I've been able to make over the last five years. Most of them are German, although a few are retired military members. I've had a serious problem making friends with military spouses so I'm not looking forward to trying it again in Japan. I have few career advancement options because the DoD is not hiring civilian positions for which I can qualify. And the best part is how frustrated I am with my husband who approaches moving from a completely different place. I would like to write lists and be prepared in advance for everything. He'd rather wait until the last minute and deal with whatever arises on the spot. At least we have planned some vacation time in between bases. But it will be back in our home state with family obligations so I'm not exactly sure how relaxing it will be. I'm going to try and look at this as an opportunity to rethink everything. How can I try things a new way and break bad habits? How can we get better at communicating, find educational tools for Natalie and for me, and return me to my creative roots? I've been reading a book that's got me thinking about spirituality and remembering how it used to work for me. I'm wondering if turning back in that direction would make a difference for me. This blog is a series of random thoughts that is, unfortunately, serving as my journal since the journal is packed and on its way to Japan right now. Oh, the joys of PCSing.

I need to dance

Once again I come back to dance. I just watched a beautifully done short video about an investment banker who became a Tango dance teacher and met the woman of his dreams after, and because of, 9/11. It makes me want to dance more, too. When we get to Japan, I'll have priorities like getting a job and getting Natalie into a good school. But not too far down the list is getting myself into a ballroom dance studio. I need it. Really need it.

New Home Possibilities

Japan. Tokyo. It could be really amazing. But I'm hoping we don't go. I have this weird feeling. It's not fear. It's not even as strong as dislike. I just don't feel entirely committed to living in Asia. Natalie will likely have wonderful educational opportunities. And we'll be in a city, instead of out in the boonies. It will be exciting again, like it was when we first came to Germany. But I likely won't be able to get a very good job again, if at all since we'll be there such a short time. Conflicted, is a better word, maybe. It could be so amazing. But it could be a big pain in the ass. I just wish we could have gotten UK. Maybe a future tour after Chris is finished with school and gets commissioned. I swear, if something goes wrong in Korea, I'm taking Natalie back to Arizona on the first plane out.

I love/hate my job

I love my job. Lately, I have a new emotion, not about the tasks I do or the people I work with, but regarding the organization from which I receive a paycheck. I hate working for the federal government.

Turns out once you become a federal employee, you can no longer use any previous experience or education to qualify for promotions. So, even if you took a much lower paying job to "get your foot in the door," you are not "qualified" to apply for a position more than one grade above your current one. Based on my past positions, I could qualify for a GS-11 job. My current position is a GS-5. The only other job I can compete for is a GS-6. Forget GS-7, or 9, or 11. Until I have fulfilled one year time in grade for each of these, I cannot qualify for the next one. Unless, of course, I resign. Then I can compete against all the other external candidates, and the internal candidates that have fulfilled the time in grade requirement and qualify for GS-11.

This is such a bureaucratic nightmare. I never wanted to be a government employee and I certainly didn't want to work for the federal government. Yet, here I sit with few other options. I could apply for a job at the bank and not get the benefits. I could try for a NAF job or a contract position, also without benefits.

The bottom line is I love my job. It's never going to get me anywhere, but I do enjoy what I do and the people in my squadron. I have to hold on to that.

Easy Come, Easy Go

Well, my goal to move up in the organization has come to an abrupt end. I applied for the Wing Commander's secretary position a couple of weeks ago and I just received an automated message via email indicating that I'm not qualified. For a secretary position. Awesome. The reason I'm not qualified is because my current Squadron Commander's secretary position is rated as a G5. The Wing position is a G7. The requirements for the job indicate that you have to have held a G6 position for 52 weeks in order to qualify for this G7 position. I cannot believe how ridiculous the USA Jobs process is. I've been told by my boss, by the people I work with, by the Equal Opportunity director, by my bosses' boss, that I am greatly qualified for this position. In fact, several people have assumed that I will be selected. Oh well, I'm really happy with my job and it allows me a lot of flexibility and low stress. I'm going to be happy where I'm at for the last year and a half of my time here and forget about this one small goal which was not reached. I've got lots more to work on and many more goals to reach.

Bootcamp - Day Sixteen

I worked out hard today. I was rather stressed out from my workday and that contributed to my energy. But I think what really did it were the compliments, both verbal and nonverbal, that I got from the hubby this weekend. He thinks Bootcamp is working and definitely worth the investment in money, time, and his loss of convenience because he has to pick up the munchkin from daycare three days a week. I'm feeling a bit more sexy these days and that's certainly a great result of working out more often and regularly. Yeah!

Bootcamp - Day Fifteen

Five weeks down, one to go. I signed up for the next six-week Bootcamp, although I will miss the first week while on vacation. My husband suggested we get up early and run while in London. RIGHT. That will be following the late evenings at the local pub enjoying dark beer. Yah, I don't think there is any chance of it happening. I am, however, committed to staying active the week before that so that I'm not a complete wreck when I start Bootcamp again. And we will be walking a lot, at Stonehenge, in the Cotswalds, and around the city. I had one of my trainers check that my push-ups are within regulations today. She said I'm golden. I hope to rock this PT test. How exciting would it be to go into my squadron's staff meeting while they announce my excellent score? Well, can't get over-confident, it will still be a tough test.