Posted on Jul 23, 2015
SPC George Adkins
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I'm looking for some guidance. I am 43 years old. I have been with my current employer for almost 15 years. I came in as a mid level skilled tradesman. I moved up through the skill sets and topped out into a leadership position almost 5 years ago. I am paid hourly. I am well compensated and enjoy getting my knuckles literally, and figuratively bloodied. I have a crew of 14 that directly report to me. I work day shift and my schedule is 4 days on/3 days off, 3 days on/4 days off. Although there was once a time that worked 70+ weeks, those days are for the most part over. My manager and director are both Vets ad well. They appreciate the intensity I bring to the job even if I occasionally have subtly of a 20 lb sledge hammer at times. Every ounce of energy I have, I give daily. When I get home, I am spent. I have some service disabilities that are getting more pronounced as I get older. The stress of the job (which is high) combined with the stress of being in pain can really get to me at times. I have recently been diagnosed with chronic pain syndrome as a result of my injuries and toll they have taken on me.

Three years ago, I was offered a shift manager position. It is the same role of my current manager on another shift with 67 people reporting to me. I turned it down for a variety of reasons. Partly because self doubt, but there were other reasons. I felt like I was just starting to get my crew trained and hitting on all cylinders. Two years ago the position came available again due to a death, and I turned it down again, mostly because I didn't want to work the night shift. In this time, my crew and I set pretty much every production record in the company and won our company's team of the year award three years straight.

The position is now open again due to attrition. Again, it is at night. I'm not sure if I should turn it down again or take it this time. I'm not sure I'll get another offer later. The job will require a lot less bloodied knuckles and a softer, less profane approach. I know I don't want to work nights. I would/could do it for a while, but can't see it as a long term schedule. My youngest child is a Sophomore in HS, plays football, is my shooting partner, and my best Buddy. My wife and I get along better than we ever have and are going on 20 years married in September. While the financial and status benefits would be nice, I'm not sure I want to jeopardize my home life by being even more of a zombie.
Posted in these groups: Imgres Employment
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Responses: 13
CSM Charles Hayden
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SPC George Adkins, Nites are a bitch you get used to. Family time is IMPORTANT, so is providing for that family! Take the job, do your time, get on a day shift in time! When you have all of your fingers is a great time to move on to a position of different responsibilities. Seek opportunity/responsibility, accept responsibility. Provide all you can for the family!
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SGT Michael Glenn
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It all really depends on you sir, if your in as much pain as I think your in when you clock out then you dont have much of a family life as it is now. Myself I would bow down respectfully and take the position, you may be working nights but if your family loves you they will understand and Im sure you could find time/ways to make it work. Taking a cushier job doesnt mean being less of a man, it means your more of one because your thinking ahead and knowing the present job is gonna take more than its toll on you eventually and leave you with nothing. There will always be time to spend with your best buddy when you have off time and 20 years...She loves you and will stand by you.
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COL Charles Williams
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What does your wife think? What do you want to do? Cost benefit analysis time.
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SPC George Adkins
SPC George Adkins
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CPO (Join to see) - That's the role I have now; Coach, mentor, and fixer. Moving up will require less of the things I love.
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CPO Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive)
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SPC George Adkins - Sounds like your choice is made.
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SPC George Adkins
SPC George Adkins
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CPO (Join to see) - I think so too.
The Boss Lady wants me to take the job despite the hours. Having never served in uniform and been a stay at home wife, I don't think she understands how much this means to me.
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CPO Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive)
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SPC George Adkins - Just my simple input. I would focus on settling the issue with your wife first and try explaining why it is so important to you and try to figure out why it is important to her. If you don't and act on your own behalf, she will always be concerned with what could have been. If you act on her behalf, you will always hate the position because it will feel like you were forced into it. My statements are based on what I have seen happen to my sailors over the years, so please take them with a grain of salt. Good luck with it all.
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