What should I do with my life? (vanity)

me

[sdk7x7]

I have an important question, so I figured I'd turn to the FR gang for advice. I'm a college student, about to enter my 2nd year. I'm very interested in national security, homeland security, terrorism, etc and I plan to mold my major around these fields.

Eventually, when I graduate, I will have a decision to make: service vs. money. By service, I mean applying for jobs with the federal government, ie FBI special agent, intelligence analyst, etc. While these jobs offer me the opportunity to serve my country--which I truly want to do--they do not offer salaries comparable to the private sector. At the absolute highest end, top executives within the federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies tend to make $150,000 per year. Not that that's any number to scoff at, but much more can be made by pursuing my interests in the private sector: consulting, corporate intelligence, etc.

I am aware that the federal gov't offers great benefits, and I really do feel an obligation to give back to my country, but I am also admittedly attracted to a higher-paying career that would make putting kids through college, having my own house, etc less of a financial strain.

I am hoping that some of you can offer some guidance, especially if you've been in a similar situation. I should note that most of my family is upper-class, so there are some familial pressures to take a high-paying job, etc.

Thanks in advance, sdk

[cgbg]

You speak Big Wisdom here.

The Secret to Work Life is to have a positive attitude and willingness to learn.

If you show those traits, treat everyone you encounter with respect and grace, your opportunities will be unlimited.

So, it really dosen't matter what your first job out of school is.

Do anything--but do an outstanding job at it.

[Gunrunner2]

"In retirement in Florida no less, Boyd: prompted then Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney to press for the revision of Schwarzkoff's plan of attack in the 1991 Gulf War to include the devastating "left hook" that Stormin' Norman resisted bitterly "

Not really.

Colonel Warden, the Checkmate Division Chief, formed the air campaign based upon his theories of air power.

Gen Horner (CENTAF and Air Component Commander) was tasked to provide Storming an air plan to stop the invasion if it came early. . .Gen Horner only could come up with a basic 3-day air war. . .the old Cold War tactical thought process that equated anything having to do with strategic bombing meant nukes."

Storming was NOT pleased with Horner and asked Checkmate at the Pentagon to give him a strategic air campaign plan that would work. Storming did NOT fight the idea of a strategic air campaign. . .he asked for one.

Col Warden was Chief of Checkmate and he formed the plan and briefed the President and Sec Def, and CJCS, and they all bought it. . .then Colonel Warden went to Riyadh to brief Horner. Horner did NOT grasp the concept of COG's and critical nodes and the 5-rings. Horner threw out Warden, NOT Storming, and Horner actually evicted him from theater.

Lt Col (now Maj Gen select) Deptula was Warden's deputy and he stayed behind and worked more diplomatically and behind the scenes and got Wardens plan approved. When it became apparent the plan was working Horner grabbed all the credit.

Thunder and Lightening by Edward Mann III, Col, USAF is a great read on the subject, as is Air Power Against an Army by Lt Col Edward Andrews.

The left hook was another revolutionary plan that Storming liked. He was disappointed in the Jedi Knights (Army version of the Checkmate planners), as they basically came up with the usual "hey-diddle-diddle, up-the-middle" plan and he wasn't buying.

Storming fought his Land Component Commanders to ensure they understood the importance of maneuver.

[Firefigher NC]

"As for the military, it's truly difficult to sustain a family on that type of pay. I have the utmost respect for our men and women in uniform, but the truth of the matter is they get paid crap."

Not if you're an Air Force officer. And you can work in the military police. Law enforcement and good pay, then get out and go into the private sector when you're ready to retire from the military.

[Rockingham]

My statement of Boyd's role was sloppy and implied too much on his behalf, and I have noted the books you refer to. Still, your telling seems to me to supplement rather than contradict Coram's brief account of Boyd's role in Gulf War strategy.

[LadyDoc]

Chosing a career should depend on: first, ability; second, desire; third, opportunity.

If you are a physical wimp, it would be dumb to go into the police etc...If you can't stand blood, don't be a doctor.

If you join the armed services, they often have aptitude tests for you to take to advise you as to which area you should be trained. Remember: A good cook, a truckdriver, a paper pusher, are all needed to serve the country.