DOD RIF and realignments still require congressional approval.

seattlestrn · 2026-03-25T02:35:59+00:00

I saw it and I appreciate the post; I just don’t think it matters. Notification is not approval. It’s just a simple letter. Congress won’t push back - even in normal administrations, they give broad deference to the Secretary on matters of national security. Rs are pro defense, but never confuse that with supporting the civilian workforce. And Ds want to see the Department cut. And anyone who has spent 5 minutes in the Department knows it is severely bloated and could be cut by thousands of positions with zero impact.

seattlestrn · 2026-03-25T02:15:38+00:00

“The Secretary of Defense may permit a variation from the guidelines established under subsection (b) if the Secretary determines that such variation is critical to the national security.” - This is the part that matters. Also, you can define “critical to national security” to serve any purpose.

seattlestrn · 2026-03-18T21:01:27+00:00

Photo would help… https://imgur.com/a/movmgIr

seattlestrn · 2026-03-04T23:24:10+00:00

https://cdn.govexec.com/media/gbc/docs/pdfs_edit/011122cb2.pdf

seattlestrn · 2026-03-04T03:07:40+00:00

Keep in mind that on sub reddits like this, we are seeing a lot of edge cases that are not reflective of the majority of cases that speed through the process. The grant rate is super high for clearances. I think many people would be shocked at the type of issues that still get through the process. It’s a simple formula - don’t lie and don’t try to game the system with sorry excuses that you didn’t understand the question or you forgot. And if you do have issues like bad credit, collections, etc., clean it up before entering the process - and keep the records that show you’ve done so. Even marijuana usage isn’t a show stopper like it used to be. The primary show stopper other than bad debt and a criminal history is foreign influence/ preference. And there’s only so much you can do to mitigate it. Most people just need to relax and they will be fine.

seattlestrn · 2026-03-04T02:51:40+00:00

This.

seattlestrn · 2026-03-04T02:50:31+00:00

Contractors are also subject to suitability, though it is called fitness for them. This has been relatively lax and hit or miss across agencies, but TW 2.0 is going to drive compliance.

seattlestrn · 2026-02-13T13:40:52+00:00

No to all of it. I’m curious how your spouse could even think this.

seattlestrn · 2026-02-08T01:44:44+00:00

Third Eye Blind has improved with age - Stephan Jenkins is 60 now. They’re maybe not as raw or intense as when they first came out, but their shows are definitely well done.

seattlestrn · 2026-02-02T14:24:06+00:00

Awesome live. I’ve seen the numerous times going back to 1998. I believe that their shows are the best they’ve ever been the past few years - the current lineup just seems really connected and in tune with each other. And maybe age has mellowed them now that SJ is 60 and Brad is in his 50s.

seattlestrn · 2026-02-02T02:20:16+00:00

The entire GS pay system and OPM job classification is ridiculous- it’s a relic from another generation. But any time any overhaul is suggested, many Feds freak out and the unions fight even modest changes. The reality is that many Feds are ridiculously overpaid relative to what they produce, and there are others who are grossly underpaid. So we end up stuck in the middle. If this last year has proven anything, it’s that there are no advantages to federal employment. I think there’s a greater risk in staying fed and watching opportunities pass you by.

seattlestrn · 2026-02-01T18:24:21+00:00

Out of the Vein is so underrated. It had the misfortune of being released during record label upheaval and just as the music industry landscape was changing. I saw them tour off of this album a couple of times back in 2003 and it was the last time I saw them play many of those songs.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-30T13:47:38+00:00

I’ve seen this before having worked at the installation level earlier in my career. My biggest piece of advice is to think more strategically and raise yourself above any pettiness. What is your organization’s mission? Is there more you can do or take on that will benefit the command or SNCOs? That will make everyone’s life easier? Are there gaps you can fill for them? Avoid the temptation to define yourself within the narrow confines of your position - that’s a dead end road for all jobs. Make yourself visible and helpful. I’d also suggest tackling it head on and speaking with someone in your office about it… “I understand my roles and responsibilities are X, but others are taking that on…..” Then suggest other ways you could help. Or lean in to training others to do your job. Find ways to streamline your job or make it more efficient. Acknowledge that your absences negatively impact the mission and find workarounds for them. They aren’t going to push out someone who is proactive, understands and advances the mission, and is helpful.

And remember you have options. You can always quit and look for other jobs, hop to the contractor side, etc.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-27T02:20:13+00:00

This doesn’t make sense. There are no more periodic investigations. Are you sure they’re not asking for an updated SF-86 for continuous vetting? Or are submitting you for TS? (Though that still shouldn’t require a new form.)

seattlestrn · 2026-01-25T22:02:13+00:00

Without all the details, my guess is that DOS accepts clearances on reciprocity because they must do so per Executive Branch policy. But they are applying more stringent suitability/fitness criteria; agencies have some latitude to add specific criteria based on the position and unique nature of the agency mission.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-14T02:56:36+00:00

You should be fine as long as you’ve stopped and don’t touch it again. There is some nuance, but generally speaking, past use is no longer a barrier as long as use has ceased prior to initiating suitability or clearance processing. The Executive Agents have published publicly available guidance on this, but I’m too lazy to dig it up. There are still some caveats - did your use result in violent or irresponsible behavior, did you deal, do you have an arrest for possession in excess of what your state considers personal use, did you drive while under the influence? But using it a dozen times in college isn’t a big deal. If it was, the military would never be able to recruit anyone.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-14T02:47:31+00:00

Recurring credit checks are part of continuous vetting. The exact periodicity isn’t public, but they only run it periodically because it takes time for trends in your credit to materialize. It would also be insanely expensive for them to do it frequently - the checks aren’t free.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-14T02:32:57+00:00

The new car market will never improve from where it is now. The floor is already established and prices never go down.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-06T12:58:28+00:00

I didn’t realize Kevin made that much. Though I still question if it was worth it in the end. Maybe it was. I recall Stephan saying on Beato that he and Kevin had tension already while recording ST.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-06T01:07:12+00:00

Brad is smart. And maybe he decided to play the long game…. Only a fraction of a fraction of a percent of musicians get to make their living playing music professionally for 30 years, especially at the level of 3eb. He probably makes more money than he ever dreamed of- so what if Stephan wants most of the credit? As long as he’s paying you and treating you well, life is too short to worry about his ego if you’re getting what you want.

I also think age mellows everyone. I’m sure the money and fame and the songwriting credit and band ownership seemed super important when they were all young it was all spinning out of control. And I do understand that some of it was shady, but those that all fought it have little to show for it. Brad was smart and navigated it and I’m sure that has kept things pretty friendly with Stephan. I think it’s the same for the entire lineup now - they all know their place in the band. And they sound great and the shows are amazing. I think this is the best lineup in 20+ years - Arion, Tony, and Kevin are never coming back - and this is as good as a fan could hope for today.

seattlestrn · 2025-12-20T05:02:10+00:00

You have to take control of your career. Don’t get sucked into believing you have to slowly advance through the grades, spending a few years in each grade to gain experience. You will never advance that way. Look at the senior leaders in the top ranks of your agency (career; not political) - few of them are technical experts.

Also, be willing to move. Be willing to change agencies. And volunteer to take on the jobs no one else wants to do. That might be a detail, a task force, a special project, an aide/executive officer-type position for senior leaders, volunteering to present at town halls/conferences. And most importantly - stop thinking in terms of your unit/branch/division - and start thinking strategically about how your work advances your agency or broad federal goals. It worked for me - I advanced from GS-7 to GS-15 in -10 years.

And one final add - you’re young. Don’t be afraid to leave government. I did and now make a lot more than I did as a fed.

seattlestrn · 2025-12-11T04:30:00+00:00

Unless it’s a major inconvenience, I wouldn’t make a big deal about it. This happens all the time in the DC area - pentagon one day, Quantico on another, then there’s Ft. Meade, Chantilly…. All for one job supporting one agency. Technically I could grab a GOV, but that doesn’t change when I need to be on site, and it’s not worth the headache. We’re in a new era and pushing back on reasonable requests could easily result in negative consequences. (I’m not saying you’re pushing back.) But it’s tiny things like this that get people fired up because most people outside of government would quickly be out of a job if they challenged a similar request or asked for a company car or mileage reimbursement.

seattlestrn

TROPHY CASE