Things have been a mad scramble ’round these parts in the last cuppla. It started Saturday morning at 0945 when your narrator was dabbing at the corners of his breakfast while walking to the garage for to liberate the moto from parking and make the voyage north, like. Just for the flying that would be in it.
The phone rang and the Hobbit answered, saying, “Yes he is, may I ask who’s calling?” and passing the phone to me, saying, “It’s (really big defense company that you threw a resume at).”
“Yes sir,” said your humble into the transmitter.
“Can you take an interview at the top of the hour?” asked himself.
“No,” came the immediate reply, adding, “because of the part-time.” Wincing. “But I can take one tomorrow at 1300, say.” Not adding, “When I’m more prepared.” This was Easter weekend, mind. And our retirement date still four months away. This has set into motion a chain of events which has quite put us off our quotidian.
I’ll tell you more about it when the dust has settled. Which it hasn’t, yet.
But things are moving quickly, even if my timing is once again suspect.
I read that GAO report, and some of it is not being intellectually honest. Those contract workers, most are paid hourly with no benefits. The figure sited is how much the consulting item bid cost is, not how much the consultant is gettind paid. Some middle man who has played the stupid, screwed up bid system is making between %10 – %35 of that ~$75 an hour per employee for every hour that consultant works.
The GAO dropped the ball on this report, they had a chance to really go after the really screwed up part of the bid process, but instead they are going after the people who are stuck under the thumb of the process.
I know this because I own one of the companies on the federal bid list, meaning I can bid those consultant jobs, charge the DoD $75 an hour, and pay someone $40 an hour (1099 meaning they pay taxes too, not me) to do it, and btw no benefits. That person I’m paying, they have no shot at getting that job without someone like me, because that is how the process is set up.
Good luck on this, Lex, assuming it’s what you want… and I suppose it must be since you apparently interviewed and all.
re: timing. I wouldn’t worry a whole helluva lot about this… the subject comes up every five years or so, without fail. Back in my day it was outrage over thousand-dollar (IIRC) hammers and toilet seats… yet those same contractors are alive and well today. In one form or another.
Yeah, so the risk here is speaking of things generally above my grade, but:
No worries Lex. By virtue of your honorable career and proven leadership abilities the nation will continue to accept your service, whether in uniform or not. I’m sure you’ll be able to negotiate something better than $40 an hour!
As I’m sure you’re well aware, the Systems Commands are in a bit of a sticky wicket WRT workforce shaping (a great phrase if ever there was one). On one hand they have an aging civil service workforce with several career fields attracting fewer and fewer qualfied/motivated applicants (think engineering class desks). Quick glance at PMA org charts shows lots of vacancies and/or CSS (acting) fills.
There are indeed scads of CSS (myself included) trying to help make a difference in what seems to be an unending stream of priority tasking in support of our warriors at home and abroad.
CSS slots are well-filled by prior-service individuals with valuable, recent experience. Sometimes it seems like it’s 2 or 3:1 CSS to govvie, but when I look at all the work in the queue, paring the workforce down just seems crazy. (OK, general statement; of course there’s excess in places and we can get more efficient in others).
Industry/Government needs people like you so long as you’re willing to suit up and show up. I chose contract work because 23 for Uncle was fun, but enough. (I know, couldn’t quite tough it out and make a career out of it).
Jump on in, the water’s fine! Oh, and the advice I got AFTER I accepted my first transition job was, “It ain’t what you’re worth, it’s what you negotiate”.
Everyone can use a mentor, don’t forget to check in with yours from time to time! v/r, B.
What Buck said … if it’s something you want, I sure as heck hope it works out for you. But I’m wondering (not that it’s any of my business, mind you), if this is what you really want to be doing?
Whatever, either which way, here’s to it all working out the way you want.
Wow. You’re pretty generous Galrahn..you pay 53%! Too high. Recommend you cut it back to industry standard 50% or less. LOL.
I’ve been across the table answering questions for the government to GAO folks several times..while nice they ain’t always tasked by the sharpest tools (congressmen and congressional staffs..). IMO their products are often incorrect.
Lex- The goverment wouldn’t function without CSS contractors. DoD especially. Personally, I give ‘em more than they bargained for because I give a shoot just like you’ll give a shoot….Really big Defense Company is what would turn me off. It seems smaller companies pay a higher percentage from my observations.
Once they get ya, they get ya though, because they’ll pay you at nearly what you made on AD as a senior officer..Jumping into government you’d have to start out as a mid grade GS-15 just to break even! Ain’t any of those jobs around and even if you got one you could be stuck in it literally for life. When I retired from AD, going to work as a GS was cost prohibitive because of that old law, since repealed, that would have reduced my Navy retired pay proportionally (class warfare). They got it all figured out, like bean counters always do. In my situation raises come better and faster because I became indispenable, I’m a golden goose (or was)…plus I work for a company that doesn’t screw with me at all. Some companies are notorious nitpickers…In that way, I can immerse myself with my “customer” onsite, the way I like it….To me the business side of support contracting seems like shoveling chickenshoot.
Feet of Clay- Nay not Lex.
b2
Best wishes, Lex. My two cents is that Some Company will be getting a heck of an employee.
Wishing and praying on your behalf, Lex.
And dying of curiosity, too!
My preference – operational and onsite with the customer, even if it has meant 36-hour watches on occasion. At least we still get to blow stuff up.
- SJS
Wow – take an interview on 15 minute’s notice? I’d call that aggressive. Ballsy. And someone who knows good stuff when they read about it and pounce before someone else does.
And someone who knows good stuff when they read about it and pounce before someone else does.
I was thinking the same thing. Lex, sounds like somebody wants to hire you… real bad.
So what is BAH offering? After reading the comments it occurred to me that they are the biggest fish in the sea right now here in sandy eggo and I know they’re hiring hand over fist.
The time to look for a job is when you have a job. Simple supply and demand — if you have what you need they need to barter a better deal to get what they want. Likewise, if you’re between jobs take the first thing offered and give a polite two weeks notice (four if they treated you right) while moving up.
Beware the contractor gig — you spend almost as much time on the paperwork and taxes as you do the job, and add in the life insurance and such that you have to buy solo and there’s a good 40% of your high-zoot contractor rates eaten up.
If you do go contractor, talk with a few farmers before applying for insurance. Theirs is the second-most dangerous job around, statistically, you’ll probably find the best rates from where they’re shopping.
– Max
One observation on the GS scene-at least overseas-even if you are qualified there is a reluctance to hire retired O-6′s even if you are qualified for the job-since many of the personnel who are above you did not come that route. Especially in any activity under the cognizance of CNIC.
Unless you are lucky enough to be the guy who writes the PD and you retire into the job because the PD is written for you. ( Which has occurred a lot at Yokota of late……..).
BAH is one of the “nitpickers” mentioned earlier. Worst company I ever worked for, period, dot.
Second on BAH. After 2 years, I wasn’t assimilatable by the BORG cube here in McLean; Went back on ADSW for a year that lasted 22 months, then did a tour as a GS (2nd time). Too bad there’s no real “industry” in areas like DC, NORVA or SD. You’re either in service/retail industry, or working in/for gummint…(‘cept maybe for you guys who can do the aviation thing. Lex: Beware of contractors bearing salaries- they want you (BAH/SAIC especially) to make/build your own business/business case if they’re paying you worthwhile gelt.
Max-
“Beware the contractor gig — you spend almost as much time on the paperwork and taxes as you do the job, and add in the life insurance and such that you have to buy solo and there’s a good 40% of your high-zoot contractor rates eaten up.”
He & his family have Tricare/Dental (retired)and when he goes on medicare he’ll have (hopefully still..) Tricare for Life. Nothing unique here all retirees earn it. Personally, I didn’t buy into the company health plan and I negotiated the difference into my pay up front. Sometimes you can be over-insured. (They won’t offer that to you, you’ll have to ask Lex)
Paperwork and taxes- that’s overhead the Company will pay. He’s not becoming his own business free lance- yet! But he’ll pay state taxes..
CT II Raven- BAH a nitpicker eh? I’ll keep that in mind. Those 800lb gorillas in the trade always seem to be sometimes I reckon….
b2
SAIC story. In looking at some potential positions in Korea, I talked with a lot of folks at Osan who were pretty fried at SAIC when it came to housing allowances ( well below state dept rate-which is the benchmark) and the company had changed its policy on paying DODDS school tuition.
Taken together, the guys I talked to were less than thrilled. They liked their work-but were frustrated when they put it up against what some of the other contractors at Yongsan were making.
Then again-most of the guys were there for the same reason. They wanted to be overseas and/ or had Korean brides.