Long before the United States Air Force, henceforth referred to as the USAF, announced their implementation of a sabbatical program, I was already eleven months into crafting my own escape plan. Yes, my escape plan. Not my military transition or TAP or whatever. No. My escape plan.
I was already fed up with my time as an aircraft maintenance officer in the depot when I volunteered (sick, I know) to deploy in October 2012. I thought a six-month sojourn in Qatar would result in an opportunity for me to break free from the depot for good upon my return. One month before I left the Middle East, however, I found out that I was going back to the depot for yet another mini-prison-sentence (thus, the reference to an escape plan à la The Shawshank Redemption minus the poo tunnels, of course). This came as a shock since I had made known my desire to return to the operational flightline prior to my departure.
Side note: I know that it is sick and twisted to demand a return to 14-hour shifts and being endlessly crapped on by everyone in every meeting, but that's just how bad the depot experience was for me.
I tried to suck it up and bloom where I was planted and all that crap. Then sequestration and furloughs happened. Yea, everyone remember that? Funny how fast we forget.
Anyways, while I spent countless hours alone in a hangar, I started to craft this plan and create a resume and cover letters and apply for jobs and sign up for career fairs.
Then the stars aligned this past winter and I took the Voluntary Separation Pay. Then this sabbatical program came out.
In stereotypical, antiquated military fashion the program primarily targets pregnant women who want to start families and not sacrifice their careers and blah blah Sheryl Sandberg blah blah. Of course, the opportunity is open to anyone that wants a break for school and other reasons, but let's be honest: this program doubles as an EEO cover and a half-hearted attempt to plug the holes in a sinking ship.
Chalk it up right up there with innovation and efficiency programs.
Regardless, I like the idea of a sabbatical from work, education, or your current life. I don't think it will kill a career and agree that it can only enhance the work-life balance.
Oddly enough, my self-styled sabbatical comes at the start of my seventh year of real work experience. So I'll take it as a sign.
I was already fed up with my time as an aircraft maintenance officer in the depot when I volunteered (sick, I know) to deploy in October 2012. I thought a six-month sojourn in Qatar would result in an opportunity for me to break free from the depot for good upon my return. One month before I left the Middle East, however, I found out that I was going back to the depot for yet another mini-prison-sentence (thus, the reference to an escape plan à la The Shawshank Redemption minus the poo tunnels, of course). This came as a shock since I had made known my desire to return to the operational flightline prior to my departure.
Side note: I know that it is sick and twisted to demand a return to 14-hour shifts and being endlessly crapped on by everyone in every meeting, but that's just how bad the depot experience was for me.
Video clip: Less Shawshank...More Cougar Town...
I tried to suck it up and bloom where I was planted and all that crap. Then sequestration and furloughs happened. Yea, everyone remember that? Funny how fast we forget.
Anyways, while I spent countless hours alone in a hangar, I started to craft this plan and create a resume and cover letters and apply for jobs and sign up for career fairs.
Then the stars aligned this past winter and I took the Voluntary Separation Pay. Then this sabbatical program came out.
In stereotypical, antiquated military fashion the program primarily targets pregnant women who want to start families and not sacrifice their careers and blah blah Sheryl Sandberg blah blah. Of course, the opportunity is open to anyone that wants a break for school and other reasons, but let's be honest: this program doubles as an EEO cover and a half-hearted attempt to plug the holes in a sinking ship.
Chalk it up right up there with innovation and efficiency programs.
Regardless, I like the idea of a sabbatical from work, education, or your current life. I don't think it will kill a career and agree that it can only enhance the work-life balance.
Oddly enough, my self-styled sabbatical comes at the start of my seventh year of real work experience. So I'll take it as a sign.
Video clip: Dude can't be wrong
Anyway, I want to bring everyone up to speed on my journey, tell some stories along the way, and let you in on the process that I hope to craft toward a new life.
Side note: I hope to get folks riled up here so PLEASE bring on the hate and the arguments for the USAF or against my ideas or whatever.
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