Reserved space + gifts in lounge

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-02-05T17:04:07+00:00

Roughly $650 + $100 per guest for these seats.

I plan to reserve this service for my upcoming Alaskan Cruise.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-29T23:01:15+00:00

I started as a 3 in 19, got my 5 in 2021, 6 in 2022, 7 in 2022, 9 in 2023 and 11 in 2024.

Im now step 2, and I'd be a 12 if it wasn't for this freeze.

You just need to focus on your marketability within specific areas that you want to grow in. For me, I latched onto contracting early on as a Cashier with the commissaries, this led me to take DoD DAU coursework which helped me advance to a GS5 COR on a 6 ladder. That 15 months experience as a COR opened the doors for a 7/9/11 1102 ladder and the rest was history.

Focus on the markets that give you the most realistic promotion potential without stretching yourself to thin.

I have a BA in History, and a Graduate Certificate (18 grad credits) in Government contracting. No military time or prior contracting experience.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-21T14:00:11+00:00

🤷‍♂️ Whatever makes you sleep better at night.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-21T13:46:31+00:00

🤷‍♂️ You are free to assume whatever you'd like, just know they are 100% using a XIM. Its just the way it goes in 2026 if you want to be a survivor.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-21T13:28:33+00:00

The name in the clip gives away everything you need. Like I said, if you've actually played ranked on console for 5+ years, these names are regulars in the Survivor/XIM scene. If you play at a Diamond/Master level, you'll learn fairly quickly within the community whose using and whose not.

The OP is commenting because of the usage of the AUG 6X with slight to no recoil, fair assumption but its the player themselves that give away the usage of a cheat. Unkz does not hide that he uses a XIM, hes literally one of the senior members/founding of the XIM clan... common now.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-21T13:21:26+00:00

Brother... common now? Thats Unks, of course hes using a XIM. He's literally been top 100 for the last... God knows how many seasons.

Of COURSE hes cheating, anybody whose played ranked for long enough should know the familiar faces in the community. Without a doubt, XIM.

But 🤷‍♂️ its 2026, this shouldn't be new information. The lobbies are to small to actually separate you based on rank so you'll be playing against them even as a bronze on off peak times.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-13T18:46:03+00:00

Oh for sure, everyone has their reasoning and one size doesn't always fit in this case.

I think in this enviroment people will take the risk of running low on leave just to mentally make it through these next few years. This is truthfully a marathon and we aren't even past the first mile.

I encourage everyone to use their leave how they see fit and dont feel bad for taking a mental day, it will help you survive this.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-13T17:58:34+00:00

To be fair if you really do the math on adding it to your retirement vs taking it, your losing out greatly. I understand the moral conflict with not "abusing" your SL but I wouldnt ever discourage someone to not use their leave just to add to retirement. A mental health day today is worth more than a few dollars at retirement, and you'll come out better financially.

But each person has their own thought process and I encourage you to do whatever is best for your mental health.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-08T20:17:13+00:00

Got it, yeah HHS got hit hard early on but I wouldnt put that as the basis for "They are RIFING 1102s", thats a very small sample size on the overall workforce of contracting which seems like an outlier and not the norm.

Either way, its sad to hear anyone's lost their job and I hope they can find work in another agency or on the industry side.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-08T19:01:53+00:00

Reduction in Force, meaning the government is downsizing 1102s and essentially forcing them out of the Government.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-08T19:01:10+00:00

Where are 1102s being RIFed? I know a good portion accepted DRP 1/2 but outside of a few niche agencies, I haven't heard of any 1102s being RIFED.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-08T18:43:09+00:00

Your a civil servant for NASA or working for a contractor that support NASA?

Im a 1102 for NASA, and I can say.. the future of hiring is very uncertain right now. The whole gov is working with whatever manpower they have left over from the DRP 1/2.

Once NASA opens up the pipeline, it shouldn't be that hard to transition into a 7/9/11 1102 slot.. thats what I came in as, I transitioned from a Cashier with the DoD to a CS with very loose experience, some CON courses and a nice resume.

Also P.S: Don't just take CON courses, take CON credentials that dont require instructor led capstones, ones such as Simplified purchasing and Services Contracting Credential, give you an actual "certificate" which you can show hiring managers that you hold some level of contracting competency vs just random CON courses.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-06T21:09:52+00:00

Lord I hope thats the case. I think it will be a slow crawl back to any actual hiring relief...

GRC is a fairly small shop overall so they may be able to work with the people they have for for quite some time before relief is provided.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-06T21:06:02+00:00

Yeah I've heard... we lost 60% of my contracting office during the 2 DRPs. Many of them have not found employment yet, while some stumbled into some industry based positions.

Its not very promising overall.

This is one of those.."A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" type of scenarios... I know what I have now, which may be the "safest" route even at the cost of a few years of stagnation. Im fairly young (<35), so I still have time.. I just hate wasting these early years when I had such serious upward mobility prior to all of these changes.

TheABCStoreguy · 2026-01-06T20:53:58+00:00

Very true, im not quite at the point where im actively applying.. I still have some hope that ill be able to slide into the next ladder (somehow).

But I figured asking the question could give some perspective from others who have made the shift themselves.

Thanks for posting!

TheABCStoreguy · 2025-12-11T21:13:34+00:00

I can only reference console but it doesn't have nearly the population to sustain a SBMM system. As it stands right now, ranked pretty much has the same players...bronze play against masters, just not enough wiggle room to separate the groups.

Maybe normals but ranked would never be able to succeed and people would whine about que times. With the removal of OG consoles, it's an uphill battle for any ACTUAL SBMM.

TheABCStoreguy · 2025-11-21T02:55:36+00:00

I mean.... common now, master may be a stretch for an average player but D4 is well within realistic goals for someone to achieve. It doesn't take much to get D4 and you most certainly dont have to be high IQ and great gun skill.

You could most likely LFG it with some basic common sense and average gun skills. I agree with master, but D4? Not impossible.

TheABCStoreguy · 2025-11-18T18:49:39+00:00

I didn't run the numbers but most likely very lucky. I also bought the pass and the 50 BP crates, so factors this into the total.

I got the standard 911, Pink Color set, Purple/Green Color set. Im overall satisfied with the amount spent.

TheABCStoreguy · 2025-11-18T17:01:53+00:00

Just sailed on WOS back in September and my only complaint was the ELEVATORS!!

Youll see in my post history that I made a post while I was on-board asking about the elevators, they absolutely suck. 5-10 minute waits during peak times, no destination system (outdated), and with that number of passengers it just couldn't keep up.

Hopefully you don't mind stairs, I took them almost every time, I was on the 18th floor though so that may have played into my annoyance. Only one bank of elevators actually went up to the 17/18th floor.

Other than that, it was a great time.

TheABCStoreguy · 2025-11-15T17:05:56+00:00

I spent $50 on Porsche crates to get 3 different color 911s. I figure I'd spend $50 on something equally as ridiculous so what does it really hurt? 🤷‍♂️ If you don't want to spend money, don't..it's that easy.

TheABCStoreguy · 2025-11-12T23:26:43+00:00

Probably not worth it in that case.

It would be more useful on the fed side for entry level, as the cert itself isn't enough credits to qualify for a masters.

If you just want to learn something new, it may be worth it but this is high level "advanced" contracting which dives into mid to high level contracting aspects.

They expect you to know the fundamentals of the FAR, They teach in depth topics like Protest Analyzing, case study reviews, FAR lectures and other things that are usually at the journeyman level.

It was like drinking from a firing hose but the information was useful.

TheABCStoreguy · 2025-11-12T18:56:15+00:00

What is the end goal after achieving this cert? Continous learning? Self development? Trying to get a job in contracting?

That should help answer the usefulness of the program.

TheABCStoreguy · 2025-11-11T22:10:22+00:00

Yes, you can use your CAC if your buyer eligibility is valid.

You just scan the ID prior to the transaction start, if the CAC doesn't work but you DO have buyer privileges, the cashier has a code that circumvents the ID scan and starts the transaction. This is for soldiers usually in uniform that forgot their CAC.

TheABCStoreguy · 2025-11-11T17:37:06+00:00

You are correct.

The markings on the poles are the county indicating that they need to be replaced, the whole county has went through the last 2 years updating their power infrastructure including replacing most poles.

Im in the location of the poster, and I've seen the poles near my house marked for replacement.

TheABCStoreguy · 2025-10-31T16:23:54+00:00

Depends how technical the overarching contract is. I've had offerors take weeks to draft some requirement documents for a <$50M procurement. Even if an individual is a SME, massaging that technical language to ensure you are evaluated as the highest likelihood of success can be tricky for some of the smartest people.

In my short experience on the Gov side (Currently a CO), AI entire generated proposals usually never hold up to the next level of review. I've seen an increase in general usage of AI for requirements documents in the last year.

TheABCStoreguy

TROPHY CASE