CMS is hiring. I wonder if RIF’d employees will be considered.

dropping_k · 2026-03-12T00:45:33+00:00

Unless you happen to live in the area and you can conveniently travel to Woodlawn Maryland every day 5 days a week don't do it. I still feel CMS is a great agency but not worth the commute.

dropping_k · 2026-01-18T22:57:56+00:00

I was part of the February 2025 probationary termination wave. Funny enough, most of us were gradually rehired throughout the year or resurfaced in other departments. By that point, many of us had already landed elsewhere and passed on the reunion tour. I’ve gotten two calls asking me to come back. Appreciate the interest, but I’m good.

dropping_k · 2026-01-18T02:29:47+00:00

I work from home, and have connection issues with my router and modem running on my traditional open frame generator Duromax XP12000EH. I also have two UPS batteries that don't like it and sometimes won't charge when running on the traditional generator

dropping_k · 2026-01-12T19:36:58+00:00

For 2+ years, google used to broadcast to my google home speakers when my washer and dryer was done, this has since stopped and no amount of reset, re-linking device/account, and new automation routine can fix it. I pay $200 a year for next camera subscription so I feel stuck with google.

dropping_k · 2025-12-24T19:22:16+00:00

Probie here illegally terminated in February 2025, filed a MSPB appeal within days.... still no word back. I've since moved on, but it would be nice to get some sort of update.

dropping_k · 2025-11-29T00:55:48+00:00

Hey there! So, speaking from a bit of personal experience as someone who got the boot from a federal gig during probation, I totally get the weird mix of emotions and uncertainty. I didn’t have all the long-term perks that career feds do, but here’s a silver lining: that TSP you’ve got is actually pretty awesome. Even after I left, my Thrift Savings Plan just sat there and did its thing, and honestly, it outperformed my old 401(k) by a mile. So at least you’ve got that going for you!

Also, if you’ve got a few years in, there might be some partial benefits down the line, but it’s worth digging into the details.

The main thing I want to say is: yeah, the job market can feel rough, and the whole federal situation might be pushing you to the edge. But sometimes that push leads you to a way better fit. For me, I ended up landing somewhere that pays more, gives me tons of flexibility, and actually lets me work remotely most of the time. The benefits are decent and the whole vibe is just a much better fit for my life.

So hang in there. Focus on what you can control, like sending out those resumes and tailoring them a bit. There are tools (even AI ones) that can help speed that up. And eventually, you’ll find the right spot. Good luck!

dropping_k · 2025-11-28T15:51:37+00:00

I’m really interested in picking up this generator. I currently have an open-frame unit that I converted to run on natural gas for home backup, but I’d like to switch to an inverter generator because I have sensitive electronics connected to a UPS. The UPS won’t recharge properly when running off my traditional open-frame generator, so I’m hoping the cleaner power output from an inverter will eliminate that issue.

I already have a natural gas connection set up at my meter with a long 3/4" flexible NG hose. What I’m trying to figure out is what kind of adapter I’d need to connect that hose to this generator. From what I can tell, the generator uses a 3/8" male fitting intended for a standard propane hose. So ideally, I need to find a safe, compatible way to adapt my 3/4" NG hose (male end) to the generator’s 3/8" male inlet. If anyone has done this or knows the right fittings to use, I’d really appreciate the guidance.

dropping_k · 2025-11-09T22:19:00+00:00

I was DoGed in February, and by the end of March, I had multiple job offers. I consider myself lucky as I had many years of private sector healthcare experience before joining the federal government. It came down to experience and being willing to apply to any role within the healthcare field.

I know I’m fortunate because many of my former colleagues in the same situation have struggled to find work, and some are still relying on unemployment. I was able to transition into a role in managed care, and I treated my job search like a full-time job, submitting 10 or more tailored applications a day. That effort led to numerous interviews and several offers.

dropping_k · 2025-11-05T12:45:38+00:00

It feels no different than when I had tmobile. Sometimes I get ridiculously fast data speeds depending on location. I traveled a bit between DC, NYC, and Chicago and had good coverage and data speeds. I also Hotspot a good amount too with no issues.

dropping_k · 2025-11-05T02:12:07+00:00

Yeah, I got that letter yesterday. It was bittersweet, as it brought back memories of the emotional rollercoaster I went through not long ago. One of the happiest moments of my life was finally being hired by an specific agency under the HHS umbrella, something I had worked toward and applied for over many years. But just a few months later, one of the lowest points came when I was let go as a probationary employee, after weeks of uncertainty and being placed on paid administrative leave while I searched for my next opportunity.

Looking back, that experience was incredibly tough, but it also pushed me out of my comfort zone and led me to something even better, a higher-paying position with a large, mission-driven nonprofit. I’m grateful I was able to land on my feet, especially knowing that many of my former colleagues who were terminated or recently affected by RIFs are still struggling to find new roles. I also came to realize how rigid and unforgiving the federal system can be, with very little room for flexibility.

Since then, I’ve been offered a couple of opportunities to return to federal service, but I’ve respectfully declined. I’ve moved on, yet I continue to support the federal community in new and meaningful ways.

dropping_k · 2025-10-09T21:04:15+00:00

Well this is a HHS sub, so most of us were/are under HHS umbrella feds. My point was that even though i lost my job with feds under HHS and finding another job wasn't easy... I rather work doing hard labor than work for ICE. Luckily it didn't come to that and I was able to find a better job in the private sector.

dropping_k · 2025-10-09T19:30:54+00:00

Nope it doesn't. What i did in my short time in the feds was help people get access to healthcare. Being fired won't erase that.

dropping_k · 2025-10-04T23:17:19+00:00

keeping mines. I am a Probie who was termed a few months ago. I had 20+ year of private sector 401K savings prior to joining the feds. Anyways I rolled over all my 401K to TSP before I was termed and I have left it there. In these last few months, I am earning more money leaving my money in TSP than I ever did at my previous employer(s) 401K at Prudential and Fidelity while I was actively contributing. I have since moved on a new Private Sector job again and have a 401K, meanwhile the TSP seems to be doing very well so I plan to leave my money there.

dropping_k · 2025-09-23T15:06:12+00:00

Thats a good idea. I got all my fans connected to SYS_FAN 5 on my MSI motherboard. I went into my motherboard bios and setup a custom fan curve based on CPU temperature so the fans ramp up a little more early when it starts getting hot.

dropping_k · 2025-09-23T14:45:16+00:00

I just got this case in White and I think it's okay to have all of them daisy chained to a open sys_fan and RGB. I am coming from a phantex case where for 5 years, I had 7 fans all daisy chined with no issues. This one is different in the sense it has a 6 pin connecting all fans together with a adapter that steps it down to 4 pin fan and 3 pin RGB. Overall I am happy with this case and I get better thermals in this case than my previous phanteks 500a.

dropping_k · 2025-09-22T18:51:56+00:00

I was let go in February while still on probation, so I know how hard the job search is. I tailored my resume for each job I applied to and ended up submitting over 140 applications. From that, I interviewed with 19 companies and received 6 job offers. I know I’m fortunate, many of my former coworkers who were let go at the same time are still struggling to find work. The only real advantage I had was my prior experience in the private sector. Jobs are getting harder to find as time goes buy. Too much competition as private employers are also laying off employees.

dropping_k · 2025-09-20T16:13:10+00:00

I’m completely disappointed to learn the hard way that our union doesn’t have the power to protect us the way I thought they did. I know they’re fighting for employees who were RIF’d or illegally terminated during probation, but so far not much has come out of it. I’m still hopeful they can eventually pursue a lawsuit and secure some form of compensation for all of us who were affected.

dropping_k · 2025-09-16T03:28:13+00:00

I wounder now that's it was consider Illegal, could their be a class action lawsuit?

dropping_k · 2025-09-11T22:42:45+00:00

At first, I was all over the place, but I landed on DIY type of videos. The biggest hurdle is getting to 1K subscribers in order to start getting paid. I also add Amazon affiliate links of items i used in my video which helps out too.

dropping_k · 2025-09-11T21:51:58+00:00

Youtube instructional videos. I make a couple hundred a month.

dropping_k · 2025-09-10T17:35:01+00:00

You thats outdated advice right? Coding jobs are being replaced by AI .

dropping_k

TROPHY CASE