6 more months to happiness

[larry7crys]

Thanks everybody. Yeah, I was willing to stay in longer, heck maybe even go officer. I understand the economy is in a rut, but I am willing to take the risk. I guess it is different for me. I'm married and no children (but 2 dogs!), so it wouldn't be too hard for us. I wouldn't mind moving to any other part of the country or even overseas. I have had my chain of command try to convince me to stay in for a while now. In March, our bonuses skyrocketed to 90K and the multiple was 12 i.e. I would have made the 90K, easily. I didn't do it because I have a bit of foresight. Another deployment (my 3rd) is right around the corner. I refuse to leave my wife at home for another six months for "national security". Seeing further than that, I wouldn't even be close to getting orders. Why? The detailers have run out of money. Sure, the budget crisis might be over in October, bt no gurantee for orders. The earliest I can negotiate is in August 2010, after deployment. To where? Recruiting duty (which I hear can be horrible), Prototype (helping baby nukes), or another ship (which I can go to the USS Jimmy Carter). Wow, I don't see anything out there on shore duty to even be worth it. I don't want to hand out basketballs for shore duty but at least something rewarding, maybe an instructor. It's not that I don't qualify for it, its that they don't have any billets open. As a matter of fact, I am the most qualified 2nd class on my boat as a nuclear trained operator. Engineering Watch Supervisor, Engineroom Supervisor, Periscope Operator (for the eye surgery), Passive Broafband operator (Sonar), Leading Engineering Laboratory Technician, Quality Assurance Inspector, etc to name just a few. I've even been the LPO for my division until we got a replacement. The guy is an idiot and I am required by my chain of command to "run the puppet show". Wow. An E-5 doing an E-6 job. I have been for quite some time. What's the reward? Maybe a medal? A NAM? I have one of those among others. Needless to say, I have applied for supervisory pro-pay (an extra $225/month) but was declined "due to needs of the Navy". Thanks Navy. I work very hard and take up more and more collateral duties as well. I am the School's Coordinator and the Protestant Lay Leader amongst other things. At times, my plate is beyond full. I do it all to help the little guy, especially on the boat. I always go above and beyond the call of duty, though I don't feel like the Navy is doing the same for me. Maybe other places might appreciate my work and if not, maybe I could go to work for myself.