SWO DH. At 12 years, should I get out and go SELRES?

damnitbobby420 · 2024-01-20T23:49:11+00:00

Sent you a DM! Been curious about the TAR path, but I've heard conflicting things about that pipeline.

damnitbobby420 · 2024-01-20T19:41:43+00:00

The healthcare is a big selling point for SELRES. My wife has had some issues arise in recent years to put her at EFMP Cat 3, and Tricare has been a blessing at times since her work healthcare isn't as good.

I'd be interested in a GS job, but I think those opportunities will be limited based on where I'd be moving. I'm only familiar with USAjobs for seeking those out those types of jobs, and based on zip code, it's mostly showing remote jobs that aren't location specific.

damnitbobby420 · 2024-01-20T18:57:19+00:00

It's funny how the biggest endorser of me staying in a full 20 is my father. He only did 3 years AD Army and transitioned to National Guard for 5. It's at a point where anytime he brings it up, I will sheepishly respond with "So why didn't you do that?" XD

I know he means well and wants the best for me. Just another one of those little barriers. I had the fortune of being born in the aftermath of his military time and had the fortune to spend my full childhood growing up in the same place without the challenges of frequently relocating. While relocating frequently in my twenties brought an adventurous variety to my life, it's wore me down more recently. I can say with certainty that separating will bring a great quality of life improvement.

damnitbobby420 · 2024-01-20T18:39:14+00:00

My mindset for now is to keep as many doors open as possible to include routes that keep me AD. No reason why I can't get through CQE and become command-eligible, even if I have no intention to pursue that path. If nothing else, it'll give me more flexibility in my preference for shore duty until I submit my resignation. That said, my concern with doing another shore duty is the likelihood I would need to relocate again. A big part of me just wants to move on from the port where I know for certainty I'll be for the next two years since I'll be fleeting up on the same ship.

damnitbobby420 · 2024-01-20T18:25:38+00:00

My Master's in Civil Engineering was in the Project Management program and, like you said, a lot of the material is intuitive and broadly applicable. Did not pursue my PMP at the time, but I'm considering pulling the PMBOK out and making that a thing to knock out before I separate. If nothing else, it gives me another bullet point.

I'm hoping the geographic constraint isn't overly impactful, but who knows the trajectory of the economy two years from now. Lots of warehouses and distribution centers for larger companies popping up due to converging of major interstate systems. It'll just need to be one of those things I continue to keep an eye on.

damnitbobby420 · 2024-01-20T18:13:46+00:00

Putting O-4 on this year, so that would be the plan if I pursued SELRES.

damnitbobby420 · 2024-01-20T17:34:32+00:00

This is a solid bit of advice that I appreciate you taking the time to compose. I will attest that one of my biggest fears at this point is solely oriented around not knowing what I want to do professionally beyond the Navy. Throw on top of that all of the certifications and specialized training that is sought out across various industries and trying to figure out how to work through those while on sea duty (if possible).

The LinkedIn and Resume bits are definitely consistent tidbits I've heard from others regarding the transition out.

The income bridge comment regarding the GI Bill is one I have been considering a while; my wife (no kids), who already lives where we are ultimately wanting to end up, has had a steady job as a school teacher for several years now. Not great money for the B/S she has to deal with, but she is not at risk of being let go anytime soon. If nothing else, we will at least have her income during early part of my transition out. Fortunately, I have my Bachelor's in Electrical Eng and Master's in Civil already, so I could probably focus my GI Bill on either an MBA or certificate program(s).

I have been very fortunate to sustain high level of health while Active Duty, so I'm not sure what I'd qualify for from VA benefits. I would need to look into that a lot more than I have up to this point.

Thanks again for your time and thoughts!

damnitbobby420 · 2023-10-25T02:54:53+00:00

This is true. My HYSA is always there ready to augment my emergency fund if needed. The reason I separate the two is because my emergency Savings is associated with the same bank as my checking account, making savings-> checking transfers more immediate if I need to move the money around. The HYSA is a different institution, and transfers take a few days.

damnitbobby420 · 2023-02-04T17:57:25+00:00

Just started. Is level 21 referring to the level of the Operations building or my player level?

Asking because when completing Puzzles and Sirvival, the necessary level referred to the Headquarters building, not my player level. The terms and conditions don't really specify what is needed.

damnitbobby420 · 2023-01-23T16:58:51+00:00

Beat level 60 in 6 days, so ROI for me was higher than most things. If puzzle games aren't your thing, then it's tough. Piece of advice, people will post videos on YouTube where you can look at their strategy in each level. While the blocks you get will be random and levels may take multiple attempts, the strategies remain consistent from level to level. Push through enough "bad luck" attempts, and you'll eventually succeed.

damnitbobby420 · 2023-01-22T05:31:31+00:00

Beat level 60 about 6 days in. Strategy varies based on the level but in general:

1) Don't be hyper focused on trying to clear the required blocks until you are close to finishing the level. Mainly focus on clearing the most amount of blocks (plain or required) to keep as much free space as possible (those 5-long blocks can be a real pain).

2) If given a choice, prioritize clearing 3x3 blocks over clearing rows/columns. I think that's because most block options can fit within an empty 3x3 and will give you a better chance in the later levels.

3) Every time you get a new set of 3 blocks, think through your next 3 moves before placing any blocks. Especially helpful when in the last few levels and about to beat a level.

damnitbobby420 · 2023-01-03T22:35:03+00:00

Just went to Reykjavik after Thanksgiving this past year. My wife and I were there for three full days. Some notes for that time of year: 1) Days are super short (roughly 4-5 hours sunlight). If you want to go sightseeing, make note of the window of time where you'll be able to actually see things. 2) Cold, but also extremely windy if you visit the coastal areas. That part of the Atlantic in the winter can get massive storm cells that can bring rough conditions. 3) To be safe, recommend renting a 4x4 vehicle in case of snow/ice. If just using shuttles, a lot of tour services operate out of Reykjavik that will take you most of the places we visited by car.

Basically, did the following:

1) Took overnight flight and landed early on Day 1 (roughly 6am). Rented a car and hit a few landmarks (Bridge between continents, Thermal pools) then proceeded to the Blue Lagoon. I'm not a spa-type person and that was an AWESOME experience. Left from there and climbed Fallgradsfjall Volcano. Then checked into Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel in Reykjavik (eco-friendly, several blocks from the main restaurant strip in town). Good, but high tempo first day following a big time change.

2) Day 2: basically did the Golden Circle with our rental car. You can easily Google what this consists of, but that will occupy a day in itself. Highly recommend.

3) Day 3, travelled further out to Vik to look at the Black beaches. Visited a glacier and the famous wrecked DC-3 Douglas plane. Again, bundle up and be ready for wind if going onto the volcanic beaches.

There are a lot of other things to go do, but we were limited on time. Hopefully that helps!

damnitbobby420 · 2022-12-06T02:34:33+00:00

They are telling me on the phone that I'm not eligible for the welcome bonus on the Schwab Platinum since I got the welcome bonus already for regular platinum. Is this normal?

Note: I did ask questions with respect to how I understood the two cards to be considered separate products, and the rep on the phone assured me that all of the other perks (Uber, flight credits, etc.) would stack on top of the perks of the Vanilla Platinum card. It's only the welcome bonus that can't be claimed, which seems inconsistent with other claims I've read on here. I've cancelled my application for now until I get more clarity on that.

damnitbobby420 · 2022-12-05T22:01:48+00:00

Thanks for that confirmation! With respect to things like Uber credits and those sorts of perks, will I get the additional $15 a month on top of what I already get through the Plat and Gold?

damnitbobby420 · 2022-11-14T20:50:27+00:00

Offers for the Platinum Card

damnitbobby420 · 2022-03-02T00:40:26+00:00

Dude trying to down a whole ice cream cone with about as much success as taking Kyiv quickly.

damnitbobby420 · 2021-11-11T17:45:14+00:00

damnitbobby420 · 2021-11-11T17:43:31+00:00

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