First off, I think we have to evaluate why we are even having this discussion. If we were all completely satisfied with our jobs, we wouldn't be thinking too hard about this. Sure, if something great dropped into our laps, we might take it even if we were 100% satisfied. But we all know that's not true. I really don't have a problem with the pay. I think I get paid adequately, and as a LT, it will even be better. If they threw another 10K at me, I'd probably still be hard-pressed to stay. And to be honest, I haven't talked to one person who thought our current pay was inadequate. It all boils down to job satisfaction.
There are several issues that we all complain about, like the OER/promotion/selection systems that I simply have NO faith in. Look at some of the nimrods we all had as the CO on our ships or in our current jobs. And then there's the 1950's human resources strategies. I mean, let's face it, people don't respond to "pride in ourselves and the service we provide" as the only perk to being in the organization! We want to be assured that our families can live in stable environments. We want to feel good about ourselves and to be proud of our accomplishments. Sure, all of us as HQ take advantage of the long lunch breaks and exercise time, but truth be told, I'd rather be doing something I enjoy!
I don't think that we are afraid of longer days or hard work, are we? For the most part, everybody reading this email has busted their ass in one way or another to get this far. We are a very competitive group of people who have risen to every challenge and found a way to make it happen. We know how to learn and how to adapt, which are skills that will bring us great rewards someday. But I don't expect to get into the civilian world and not have to learn or adapt anymore. It's ludicrous when it's broken down like this, but it's the truth. I think Ian McGregor hit the nail on the head in his assessment of that Navy "clown" who expected companies to be knocking his door down, begging him to work for them, and throwing buckets of money at him, just so he could work 39 hours a week and be the top dog simply because he was the "best OOD" on his ship. Hello?
I don't mind paying for health and dental insurance as long as I can get decent service. Been to the CG Dental Clinic lately? Scary as hell. And to go a step further, I don't mind taking a cut in pay for the first few years as I work my way up the corporate ladder. I expect it. I'm not basing my decision on the next year or even the next 4 or 5 years. I'm basing it on 10 or 20 years into the future, and what I want my life to be like then.
I look at the CG and ask myself, "Do I want to serve 20 years in the CG?" And if the answer to that question is no, why would I stay in the CG any longer? Every year I stay in the CG is one more year that I could be gaining seniority and experience in the civilian world. If you like the CG, why would you leave. If you're not going to stay in until the 20 year mark but you continue to stay in the CG, you're not progressing toward the end goal. And if you're not moving forward, you're falling behind!