the id, the ego, & the single misfiring brain cell

I've been thinking about my career choices lately. 

First, let me say that almost all of my career choices are in the past at this point. I'll be meeting my primary ("in the zone") board for possible selection for promotion next March, which means that my last performance report before that board will be completed this December, which means that whatever choices I've made to this point will make or break me. So what choices have I made? 

Hm. Well. When I was a brand new captain, my commander really wanted me to be his executive officer, even after he'd signed my reclama to postpone my change of station by six months so I could finish my master's degree at Auburn University, Montgomery. The executive officer position is generally considered very important and possibly indispensable for career progression (for getting one's own command). It's also known to be a time-intensive job that is, occasionally, soul-breaking. I said no each time he asked me, because I was fairly certain I wouldn't have the time and freedom necessary to finish my course work and write my master's thesis if I took it. 

That was what many might consider to be a poor career move, but I've never regretted it. 

Next, I went through the lengthy process of becoming an instructor of English at USAFA, knowing full well that it would probably hurt my career opportunities and chances of promotion. Y'all know I love teaching, so no...not a single regret. 

From there, I was offered the chance to earn a second master's degree--this one on the government's time--so I could return to teach after another tour. Any time at a civilian institution--well, in training, even--puts you behind the pack of your peers who are spending their time at "operational" assignments. In training or school, you don't even get a proper performance report; you get a training report, and the only thing on it that matters is that you are completing your single mission of finishing school on time. You leave these assignments without a medal (which is a normal time in an Airman's career to be considered for them), as you've done nothing operational. So it's a double-whammy, really: no medal and no operational experience which means no stratification against your peers (strats are very important). 

Regrets? Of course not! I got the education I should have had (in a perfecter Air Force) before I went to teach the first time, a greater love and appreciation for English literature, and pretty much a guarantee that I'd return to teach after one tour somewhere else. 

Then I went to Izmir to work with NATO. This was calculated to be a smart career move, and it worked out that way, at least for a while. When I first got there, the fates decided that Qaddafi would need to be contained, so I was involved in Operation Unified Protector. I was busy all the time and enjoyed what I was doing. I asked for a second one-year tour in Izmir or an extension; I didn't care which. The idea was to get a couple of good operational performance reports before I came back to teach. I do have regrets from this period, but they're mostly centered on the fact that I chose to live apart from Mich for a year longer than they would have otherwise, which was really hard, and I spent a bit too much on carpets. Otherwise, it was a wonderful experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

While in Izmir, I asked for, was approved for, and attended the second phase of Joint Professional Military Education in Norfolk, Virginia, and am officially a Joint Qualified Officer. Smart career moves like asking for a 2.5 month school in Virginia are easy when you're already living separated from your spouse, so I can't really say that going to this school was any sort of sacrifice. It was a terrific experience, as well, and I learned a great deal. I also--as I always seem to do--met some amazing people. 

Then I came back to the Academy to teach, because I want to. I know that my odds of being selected for promotion are lower at the Academy than they are at pretty much any other assignment, but it doesn't matter. If I love what I do, I can live with the fallout--and I make it a point to love what I do. 

A week or two ago, I sat down with my new boss (who also happens to be a friend). She is, in my opinion, an excellent officer, and was suggesting things I could get involved in that would give me the very best chances of getting a DP ("definitely promote," designations that are on a strict quota system and controlled like gold ingots) versus just a P. I'm always torn in these sessions: I know that the extra duties I'm willing to take on (and capable of taking on, as well) are limited, but I always so want to not disappoint my boss. I want to say yes to everything, even when I know it isn't feasible. 

I listened for a while and thought about it, then I just leveled with her: No matter what I do, I don't have a prayer at the Academy (which is a "honey pot," as far as excellent officers go) of competing effectively for a DP, and I know it. The amount of volunteerism and the number of work hours necessary to even have a snowball's chance in hell of being considered for a DP is...well, let's just put it this way: It's well past the point of diminishing returns. I'll leave that to the careerists out there. 

She asked me what I want to be when I grow up. :) I thought about it and said something to the effect of, "You're looking at it. I am grown up, and this is what I want to do and be." I don't want to pull long, extra hours, vying for the brass ring. I'm happy spending more time with my wife, teaching my kids, and working on me, frankly. If I'm not picked up this board, it isn't a problem.

In a worst case scenario, I'll be forced to retire by January 2017. I'll make enough retirement money to pay the mortgage, and I'll go get a job to help pay the house down. No problem. 

As a matter of fact, there's a tiny part of me hoping that will happen--even though it means my plans to pay off the house before retirement would have to be reworked. I could stand to be thrown back into the work force. A little shakeup now and then is good for the soul. 

And frankly, I have no clue how well I'll stack up against the competition. Our new CSAF just changed a lot of rules, so the upcoming boards are going to be...interesting, to say the least. 

All that to say: I'm happy with my career choices. If I had it to do again, I wouldn't do anything different, anyway. 

Let the chips fall where they may. I'm at peace. I'm ready. 

d