If you had guaranteed job security until 2016

[margotb822]

would you take it?

But, the catch is, you can't leave before then either. Which is might be a big deal because you don't really like your job (or your company).

And you had to spend 2-3 years in that time away from your family?

However, for agreeing to stay you get a $75,000 bonus.



I know we can't predict how long or wide this economic downturn will be, but I'm so torn...

[w4rma]

1. The military isn't for me. (nt)

[margotb822]

2. After a few years

I don't think its for me either. However, I don't want to be jobless either.

[SmileyRose]

30. if you get disabled or killified they take the bonus back.

I completely understand the urge. Just go slow, read everything before you sign, talk to ex's and see what it's really like - good bad and ugly. Lots of bait and switch going on so be careful.

[terisan]

3. Depends partly on your own age and age/arrangements for children and nature of work

I think financial stability can be a huge positive for a family, but absences need to be carefully managed regarding children-different for each child depending on age.

Also if this is military--are their dangers to you involved?

[margotb822]

7. Actually, my issue is

that I'm 25 and single. I'll be 33 by the time I can get out.

I'm in the Navy, so I'm not in danger (unless it's from stupidity). I'd get a few years on shore duty, but I'd spend age 30-33 on sea duty, which is notorious for ruining relationships.

I just feel like I'll be giving up great years of my life to the Navy and, potentially, have nothing to show for it at 33. Not that I'm dying to get married and have kids, but I want to be able to have options, and, thus far, it just hasn't seemed possible.

On the other hand, I would have an opportunity to work in the Senate for 2 years, get a Master's, travel the world and make great connections that could really set the stage for a great future.

Neither of these are guaranteed (single spinster or jet-setting wonder woman). The logical outcome is somewhere in between. I just feel like I don't have enough information to make a good decision either way.

[sandnsea]

14. "have nothing to show for it"

"I would have an opportunity to work in the Senate for 2 years, get a Master's, travel the world and make great connections that could really set the stage for a great future."

Sounds like something to show for it to me.

What's the greatest job in the world, in your opinion?

[margotb822]

19. I suppose I mean

in my personal life.

It's the kind of job where you have to give up yourself. I don't know if I can commit to that.

The greatest job in the world?? One that doesn't feel like work? I really have no idea. I'm working more off of a process of elimination format...

[sandnsea]

21. You only have one life

You're single, you've got some education and the opportunity for more. Who has the greatest job in the world, even if it's an enormous amount of work.

[terisan]

23. I would say take a little time and talk to people who have done it or are in now-

people whose situation is similar to yours. Find some who loved it and stayed in, hated it and wished they never did it, left after 8 years and began a new life. Recruiters might be painting a rosy picture.

If the Navy wants you now they will most likely want you 6 months from now.

Thirty-three may seem old when you are twenty-five but is actually a great age for marriage, family, or starting a civilian career.

[elocs]

4. The not liking the job would be a problem for me because I won't work a job I don't like.

Life is too short. The family is no problem because I don't have one which is why I don't have to work a job I don't like.

[Lucian]

6. I'll never work a job I don't like either.

[elocs]

17. Yeah, like I said, life is too short. It is nice to have that kind of freedom. n/t

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

5. Honestly, I'd probably rather be in the military than where I work now

It'd be more liberal. Yes, it is that Freeperish where I work.

[margotb822]

9. Where is that?!

The NRA?!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

11. Heh

Guns are actually the one thing I agree with my boss on.

[baldguy]

8. I'm 45 - I'd jump at that deal.

There's rumors flying around my work about big layoffs coming.

[margotb822]

12. My dad and stepmom

just lost their jobs...on the same day. My dad is 61 and has a medical condition. I'm very concerned for them. I'm 25, so I've got a lot of ups and downs coming. I just want to make the best possible decision. I feel like I'm deciding between job security and a life.

[lapfog_1]

10. Right now, job security is a huge plus...

But they are offering you WHAT kind of job for that $75K bonus and 6 to 8 year enlistment (I assume military).

My niece just left the Navy after 6 long years. She was an ordinance handler on an Aircraft Carrier (red suit). It's a dangerous job, and not just because she was handling high explosives. All of the deck crew jobs are dangerous.

Anyway, they offered her $45K to re-up for another 6, and even though she doesn't really have all that many options on shore, she turned them down. I've asked her if she regrets not doing it, and she says no... it's wasn't a job that was going to take her anywhere (except another tour of places we hear about on the news).

I honestly don't know what I would do in her place.

[margotb822]

15. Well, I'm

an officer, but it's different. I have one master's now, and I'd have an opportunity for another.

The core of my job is driving ships and managing junior officers and enlisted. It would be 75 over 6 years, so not a very significant amount after taxes.

I know I have options on shore, but I'm trying to figure out if a few more years in the Navy would be worth it. I could have 3 years on shore working in a great job and then have to give it up to go out to sea again.

Literally, I feel like my pros and cons lists are equal.

[lapfog_1]

27. I missed my opportunity to be a Navy officer.

I was named to Annapolis, but for various reasons, did not go.

I would have loved to be a submarine officer (possibly captain or out by now... second thought... out by now).

My whole family has been Navy (my father, brother, uncle, one nephew and one niece).

If you are a Captain or other command rank, and you are under 35, stay in... get your 20 and then retire to the public sector.

The Navy would be a good place to be for the moment (unless you have the funds to go to school for 2 to 4 years and get a PhD).

What type of Sea Duty would be in your future?

I would stick it out. In for 12 (at the end of the next 6 ?)... might as well make a career of it.

[jobycom]

13. IIWY, I wouldn't consider the economy as a factor.

You'll find jobs, that's not important enough to worry about.

Do you like what the job will do for you, do you feel you are accomplishing long-term goals with the job, how does your family feel about this and do you care how the feel about this, and will this put you where you want to be in eight years? Or if not, does it put you closer than you'd be otherwise in eight years? And do you feel you are contributing to the world in a way you want to by keeping the job, even if you don't like the work or the company?

Those are the types of things I'd worry about. Yeah, consider the money, too, but also figure it's less than $10K a year, and while that's nothing to sneeze at, you might make more than that outside the military in a progressively more responsible job with another company.

Just my thoughts. Ignore as you see fit. :)

[margotb822]

16. I like your questions, thanks

They're thought provoking and in a good way.

[uppityperson]

18. Give up most of your rights for an 8 yr job and only $75 thou bonus?

Go to nursing school instead. You can get a job that pays more than military, with a big bonus for only a 2 yr commitment, with full civil and constitutional rights.

[margotb822]

20. I actually thought about being a nurse

but I get real queasy around blood. And other bodily fluids.

[uppityperson]

29. There are lots of jobs nursing, not just body fluid jobs.

There are plenty of nursing jobs you don't have to deal with blood, but you will have to, some, during school. If you don't like blood, perhaps the military may not be a good match either?

[ObamaFan19]

22. I'm game

We're going through tough economic times.

[Aviation Pro]

24. I made the decision at the 10 year mark because....

...I had accomplished everything I set out to do and I knew that I would not get the opportunity to command at the level I wanted to. I never regretted the decision, served out the next 12 years in the Reserves and now lead a fairly interesting life.

It's always a tough call and the transition is difficult, but they never paid us to be timid.

[margotb822]

28. I'm not interested in the command

I've always had the 5 yrs and out mentality. I suppose that since I never had any aspirations, I have always been prepared to say no to continued service. It's really the economy that is causing me to question my decision. Not any desire to roam the high seas forever and such. Honestly, I wanted to be a helo pilot and wasn't able to, so I've just been biding my time. In my community, it seems that they just pay us to ass kiss (and I'm not interested in that...ever).

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Aviation Pro]

26. Bad form, mate....

....

[sohndrsmith]

31. it could be fairly straightforward, actually... can you, or do you

have a job or profession that could earn you the same (or more) per year (you don't say what the salary is per year, only that you'd have a 75K bonus at the end).

Speaking from experience, a lump sum of money when it's all you have - disappears FAST.

What is more valuable than job security (per se) is: are you building towards long term job security/hireability? If not, or if you're giving up pursuing or furthering your education for this so-called job security, you have to really think hard on this decision.

What you want to avoid is obsolescence or lack of skills when you're older and your options are fewer... I've learned that the hard way meself... : )

Ask yourself: is what you're doing or learning going to be transferable, useful job when your term ends? (It seems that health care is a pretty secure option, but that can change unless you're properly and fully skilled and credentialed.... know that credentials get more and more selective and harder to achieve over time... )

Being away from your family - weighed against long term security or support for your family, would be (to me) a no brainer. Hard to do, yes - but if it makes sense in the long run, I think it would be hard to regret. With todays' technology, it is hard to be completely cut off from loved ones - no matter how far apart physically you might be...

You'll make the right choice based on your situation and what the variables are.

Good luck! : )