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.

Bootcamp - Day Thirteen

I had a major breakthrough today. Not only did I work through the annoying menstrual symptoms yesterday, but today I ran a mile-and-a-half in approximately 13 minutes. I tried this same feat a week ago and, because we incorrectly figured the distance, thought it took 24 minutes. Considering I have to break 18 to get minimum points for the PT test, last week I was feeling really discouraged. Now I'm on top of the world and feeling very good about my chances of passing and even doing pretty well on that test. As long as I can crank out more than 11 push-ups, I believe I will pass. What a huge relief.

Bootcamp - Day Twelve

I have to admit this was a very difficult week. My expectations were a little high, I guess, because I thought by now I would start to feel more energetic as a result of the workout program. Not so. I've been dead tired every day when I get home, regardless if it's a bootcamp day or not. I had a heart to heart talk with my husband, the resident workout expert, and he assured me that I've not yet hit the point to which I'm referring. I should expect that in another several weeks. Really? I'm not quitting, but realigning my expectations. And hunkering down for the duration.

Bootcamp - Day Nine

Half-way to the end. Today I realized that my ankles are very weak. I also realized I may have overstepped. On Thursday, I presented a challenge to my squadron's leadership. I said that I was going to take the PT test after I completed Bootcamp, and if a 44-year-old civilian can pass the PT test it would be a great reason for the younger military members to sign up. If I can't run the mile-and-a-half in less than the maximum allowed, I will not pass. I know I can do enough sit-ups and the waist measurement is fine. The push-ups will be a challenge, for sure, but I'm getting closer. I may try a practice test tomorrow to see how much more it's going to take to get there.