Need some cheering up guys/gals :(

[MasterAndCommander]

Usually, I only post car and sports threads because I'm such a basket case for those topics, but today is different - just a mindless rant because I'm feeling down.

For those that don't know - BRAC is the Base Realignment and Closure committee. I just found out today (Friday the 13th - what a coincidence!) that my Navy command has been targeted for dis-establishment. I'm not bitter, I had a good run working for the government for 9 years, got lots of training, and was able to finish my 2nd college degree. I worked with a great bunch of people, never really had a bad day at work, and can honestly say that I got along with all my co-workers.

In retrospect, I knew that this was going to happen - there just aren't as many ships to support like back in the Cold War days. The ones we still have are in dire need of repairs and upgrades and the money has to come from somewhere. I did my best to make sure that the taxpayers money wasn't wasted, and tried to use as many cost cutting solutions to make things work since we were always underfunded. I was the first one to adopt open source solutions like Linux, MySQL, Apache, PHP and such to run our production systems instead of using Oracle or Informix - and tried as best as I could to do things in-house instead of contracting it out. I hope in some small way I made a difference somewhere.

I have many good things in my favor - many friends and family in the area, got myself in shape within the last 2 years, and have renewed my faith in God...many things to be thankful for. But I can't but feel numb today. I dread having to go back out on the job market - but hopefully somebody out there wants me

Anyone want to buy a slightly used '05 'stang...less than 800 miles, still has new car smell, and garage kept and never seen a drop of rain ...never been street raced either

 

[KarenMarie]

i am sorry.
i hope you find something else that you will like doing.

good luck.

 

[nater]

best of luck wtih finding new work. It's unfortunate you have to sell your car

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Thanks guys - It could have been worse, I could have been stuck with a mortgage instead. Thankfully, the house I tried to buy a year ago didn't fall through.

 

[SuperTool]

Good luck finding a new job. Hopefully it'll be a smooth transition and you can keep your car.
BTW, don't be too overzealous with saving government's money. Oracle workers need to eat too

 

[eigen]

Keep your chin up.

 

[Xionide]

:beer: <--drown yourself

 

[dirtboy]

You'll find a job somewhere... be prepared to move, but you'll land on your feet. Thanks for your years of service and good luck to you!

 

[Queasy]

Cheer up. You'll find something else somewhere. The smart ones always do.

 

[Orsorum]

Couple questions:

1. What field are you in?
2. What education do you have?
3. Do you have a security clearance?

<--- just about to start an internship in tax consulting but always up for helping other people find work

 

[SandGnome]

Originally posted by: MasterAndCommander
Thanks guys - It could have been worse, I could have been stuck with a mortgage instead. Thankfully, the house I tried to buy a year ago didn't fall through.

Bet you didn't see that as a blessing at the time... Being without a job is stressful. Hang in there; you obviously have some skills that are needed in the workplace. I know you will be agressive in your job hunt, and will be picked up quickly by someone who has there eyes open for good people.

 

[Muadib]

I just heard they were closing a base here in NJ. WTF, I thought we were still at war?
Good luck to you, MasterAndCommander.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Damn, this doesn't look too good. I'm heading to basic in 4 days and the base is getting 2000 more people (Fort Sill, OK). I hope that doesn't cause too many issues where I am. It also looks like my reserve unit MIGHT be closing. I'm trying to find out if the name of the one on the list has the same address as mine.

 

[Amused]

I find it highly curious how many of the most anti-military of the congress folks are the ones screaming the loudest over the selection of base closings.

 

[Aztech]

Doesn't the government have to find you another job in this situation? I work for the NAVY at Stennis Space Center in MS, we weren't affected, this time.

Anyway, with 9 years in, don't you wanna stay with the government to keep all your benefits? Also, did you ever manage to save up or was it always paycheck to paycheck?

 

[paulney]

Sorry to hear about that!

On a related note, Onizuka base is scheduled for closure. That means, they are going to demolish Blue Cube and all those huge dishes (see them here http://www.pneyman.com/gallery/SatelliteDishes

I would give anything to have a tour of the Blue Cube and its underground vaults before they take it down.
I'm sure they could do that since most of the technology inside has been obsolete at least for a decade. Fat chance...

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: paulney
Sorry to hear about that!

On a related note, Onizuka base is scheduled for closure. That means, they are going to demolish Blue Cube and all those huge dishes (see them here http://www.pneyman.com/gallery/SatelliteDishes)

I would give anything to have a tour of the Blue Cube and its underground vaults before they take it down.
I'm sure they could do that since most of the technology inside has been obsolete at least for a decade. Fat chance...

You link doesn't work...dumbass

 

[mordantmonkey]

Well on the bright side the bases aren't going to be closed down immediately. Also, you can call you representatives. thay have until september to appeal BRAC's decision. of course i'm sure they are already doing that.
at least you have some time to prepare, and save a bit.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: paulney
Sorry to hear about that!

On a related note, Onizuka base is scheduled for closure. That means, they are going to demolish Blue Cube and all those huge dishes (see them here http://www.pneyman.com/gallery/SatelliteDishes)

I would give anything to have a tour of the Blue Cube and its underground vaults before they take it down.
I'm sure they could do that since most of the technology inside has been obsolete at least for a decade. Fat chance...

You link doesn't work...dumbass

Fixed now. Sorry!
http://www.pneyman.com/gallery/SatelliteDishes

 

[Koing]

Good luck dude.

Koing

 

[alkemyst]

talk to EagleKeeper, he went through a decom.

private sector can work well sometimes.

 

[huberm]

BRAC takes years to close the base. We're talking 5 or more. I'm sure you can find a new job in that amount of time.

I"m not sure what status you are, but if they do a RIF they offer me at least one job of comparable pay somewhere else (FERS fed tech).

 

[SuperSix]

Goddamn Russians! :|

 

[MasterAndCommander]

I stepped out for a few hours to get a b-day present for my sister - I didn't expect so many replies.
Thanks for the support guys - I'll respond to all questions in one post. That's government efficiency for ya

<Orsorum>
Couple questions:

1. What field are you in?
2. What education do you have?
3. Do you have a security clearance?

Answers:
1. Computer Science
2. BS Mechanical Engineering / BS Computer Science. Currently working part-time on MS in CS.
3. Yes

<SuperTool>
Good luck finding a new job. Hopefully it'll be a smooth transition and you can keep your car. BTW, don't be too overzealous with saving government's money. Oracle workers need to eat too

I worked on Oracle DB's for 3 years and with Oracle consulants and we paid them some big $$$. They once offered me a job. Maybe I should have taken it...but then again it was during the dot-com heyday - I might have been sorry earlier. I've decided to hang on the pony. I'll sell my 11 year old Camry instead

<Aztech>
Doesn't the government have to find you another job in this situation? I work for the NAVY at Stennis Space Center in MS, we weren't affected, this time.

Anyway, with 9 years in, don't you wanna stay with the government to keep all your benefits? Also, did you ever manage to save up or was it always paycheck to paycheck?

Yes I would like to stay with the government if possible. Previously, I worked in private industry as a mechanical engineer. The 10-12 hour days and 6-day a week work thing got really old quickly . I've saved up for a while since I've been in the market for a house for a while. They announced that they will work to place us, but cannot guarantee a position.

<mordantmonkey>
Well on the bright side the bases aren't going to be closed down immediately. Also, you can call you representatives. thay have until september to appeal BRAC's decision. of course i'm sure they are already doing that.
at least you have some time to prepare, and save a bit.

True - not immediately. Had this been private industry, I could have been given the boot the same day. I don't think my representatives can help. I remember during the 90's a much larger facility on my base was slated for closure and the reps fought like hell to keep open. It did no good.

<huberm>
BRAC takes years to close the base. We're talking 5 or more. I'm sure you can find a new job in that amount of time.

I"m not sure what status you are, but if they do a RIF they offer me at least one job of comparable pay somewhere else (FERS fed tech).

They have slated to close our facility by FY06 or 07. True - I do have some time, between a 6 mos. to a year. I'm fortunate compared to private industry. I have some preference if a positon opens up elsewhere, but no guarantees.

 

[BrokenVisage]

The compound here in Philly thankfully was passed over as a BRAC closure, I'm sorry they targeted yours though. My uncle pretty much runs the largest building there and even he was pessimistic about them keeping it open, for years they've downsized, closed branches, and moved divisions to other cities.