- Joined
- Nov 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,331
Things have not always been spiritually or physically bright since I moved up near DC about 9 months ago. One challenge I faced was finding a job. Most of the jobs I applied for were filtered through an automated system, and if it didn't "like" what you wrote, through some fuzzy-logic magic, a human would never read your application, no matter how qualified you actually were for the job. I still had my Army reserve income, and it really helped when I was given a last-minute assignment to WLC (sergeant's school), but finances eventually got really tight. I sold one of my remaining handguns when my buddy Davis visited just after my birthday (Christmas).
Not too long after that, I found my long-time (and for several years, best) friend Byron Quick had passed away in early December. I had parted ways with Byron a few months before this, telling him I couldn't stand watching him kill himself through his destructive behaviors. He said he understood, but I couldn't help feeling a little guilty and sad about not being around when he went.
Byron had also come on some hard times near the end, and owed me a decent bit of money. If he had a will, it hasn't been found (or if it has been found by a greedy cousin)....I eventually gritted my teeth and cashed in my 401K in Feb.
While at a (SWAMPED!) job fair, I saw a Wackenhut guard, and thought to apply. WSI holds many higher-end contracts, such as guarding military bases, and also had guarded the Savannah river plant when I had lived nearby. I applied, and got a call back less than a month later. At what I expected to be an interview, I was just basically told I had the job, contingent on passing the PT test. And was told that the pay was about double what I'd told myself I would accept to wear body armor in the sun.
Some of you have followed my saga for years, so you know I don't tell you lightly that I put in a reserve officer's packet, though I was hampered by working with my unit back in GA, after I'd already moved to VA. Everything was eventually submitted, and a quick officer review board was convened while I was down in GA for mandatory training (having driven down immediately after a full day of WSI academy). I faced three majors, snapped to attention, gave them a crisp salute, and presented myself to the captain of the board.
And was told to relax, they were on my side.
I expected to be grilled for about an hour, but after first giving a brief history of myself since 1997, I was asked a single question by each officer. And that was it. (But I gave detailed answers.
)
I was told finding the results of the board could take up to six months, and as my ETS approached, faced deciding how to handle staying in the reserve without committing myself to something that would conflict with my commissioning, if approved. I eventually extended for a year. And waited.
WSI, while still having some of the problems usually found with security positions, is easy money compared to teaching. In a lower-risk environment, ironically. If I work about 32 hours a week, I will make the same pay as I would putting in about 55 hours a week as a Master's-holding high school teacher. I usually work about 38 hours a week. I even bought a 2007 4-door Civic Si (sport version) after discovering my credit score was surprisingly high (I didn't have any credit cards, but my diligent over-payment on my student loans showed me with lots of available credit). At the rate I'm going, I'll have it paid off in a year.
Last night, while talking to a MP I hadn't met before, I told him I had an officer packet in, "and should be hearing back...well, about now, actually." I got a call a few minutes ago. My packet's been accepted to commision. Now, all I have to do is pass a few months' worth of training and schools.
Just wanted to share.
John
Not too long after that, I found my long-time (and for several years, best) friend Byron Quick had passed away in early December. I had parted ways with Byron a few months before this, telling him I couldn't stand watching him kill himself through his destructive behaviors. He said he understood, but I couldn't help feeling a little guilty and sad about not being around when he went.

While at a (SWAMPED!) job fair, I saw a Wackenhut guard, and thought to apply. WSI holds many higher-end contracts, such as guarding military bases, and also had guarded the Savannah river plant when I had lived nearby. I applied, and got a call back less than a month later. At what I expected to be an interview, I was just basically told I had the job, contingent on passing the PT test. And was told that the pay was about double what I'd told myself I would accept to wear body armor in the sun.
Some of you have followed my saga for years, so you know I don't tell you lightly that I put in a reserve officer's packet, though I was hampered by working with my unit back in GA, after I'd already moved to VA. Everything was eventually submitted, and a quick officer review board was convened while I was down in GA for mandatory training (having driven down immediately after a full day of WSI academy). I faced three majors, snapped to attention, gave them a crisp salute, and presented myself to the captain of the board.
And was told to relax, they were on my side.


I was told finding the results of the board could take up to six months, and as my ETS approached, faced deciding how to handle staying in the reserve without committing myself to something that would conflict with my commissioning, if approved. I eventually extended for a year. And waited.
WSI, while still having some of the problems usually found with security positions, is easy money compared to teaching. In a lower-risk environment, ironically. If I work about 32 hours a week, I will make the same pay as I would putting in about 55 hours a week as a Master's-holding high school teacher. I usually work about 38 hours a week. I even bought a 2007 4-door Civic Si (sport version) after discovering my credit score was surprisingly high (I didn't have any credit cards, but my diligent over-payment on my student loans showed me with lots of available credit). At the rate I'm going, I'll have it paid off in a year.
Last night, while talking to a MP I hadn't met before, I told him I had an officer packet in, "and should be hearing back...well, about now, actually." I got a call a few minutes ago. My packet's been accepted to commision. Now, all I have to do is pass a few months' worth of training and schools.

Just wanted to share.
John
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