I have been focusing on two things since my relief as CNAL N43, supporting my wife's treatment plan (see the family blog for details) and learning what kind of work I want to do after I retire 1 November. In my case, figuring out the work I want to do and am suited for is not as easy as just interviewing and submitting resumes/job applications. I feel like I am ready to take some risks and am not seeking safety/familiar work because I have been doing that for the last twenty-nine years (well, it did not feel safe all the time). I want to try some entrepreneurial work that involves growing something new since I have been happiest and most energized in my career doing things differently than anyone else has done (admittedly within tight limits). I want to find out if I can do this. The organizations with which I have been interviewing have been patient with all the questions I ask and explaining to me the responsibilities of the jobs they have in mind. I am honest with all of them about the other inteviews I have and my impressions from them. I believe this helps them understand what I am considering and their feedback when I talk about what I think I am learning helps me learn even more. I have notes about this that I need to type and might consider posting on the blog sometiime in the future.
In the interviews, I have also been very explicit about my preferences (need to work part time or 3/4 time while Pam is undergoing her radiation therapy, wanting to take up to six weeks of unpaid leave after radiation therapy is complete so we might still to to Europe in Nov/Dec per our original plan, number of days of leave I want, some funding for my Ed.D. program, etc.) and no one is batting an eyelash about agreeing. That is a little bit spooky. I have received advice from many former naval officers and mentors, including "you're worth more than you think, so don't be afraid to ask for what you think might be outrageous salary and benefit demands. I can assure you that humility has no place in salary negotiations. You'll find that no job offer will be exactly what you want, but you can get pretty close. Patience is helpful, but sometimes, you just need to make a decision based on incomplete information and course correct later.
I am working at being deliberate and patient as I go through this process (you have to be good at tolerating ambiguity for extended periods to do so, not all naval officers are). I taught myself in 29 yrs of service not to spend too much time thinking about what I got paid or how hard I worked for what I get paid (it gets too depressing quickly, not because we are poorly paid, but because there is nothing you can do to influence it beyond promotions). Now I am have to specifically focus on it and try to formulate what I think I am worth so I can respond properly to the offers. I also know the statistic that most military retirees change jobs multiple times shortly after retiring as they look for the best "fit."
When not interviewing and going to the doctor, my family and I have been taking some short trips. Two weeks ago, we went to the Antietam battlefield (Sharpsburg, MD). Last week, we went to New Bern, NC (and Swansboro and Greenville). I have been posting summaries of our experiences on these trips on our Soule family update blog.
Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 7:46AM