[Cogadh na Sith]

Start networking. Once you have acquired sufficient experience, start offering your services as a consultant.

Well, there's the rub--how do I acquire 'sufficient experience' waiting for someone to die so I can get promoted. I'm already the youngest engineer in my division, and I'm 40!

I'm not kidding, and this is true across the board in defense work: I'll be the Junior Guy until I'm 70.

[Jeff Chandler]

I'll be the Junior Guy until I'm 70.

You need to think outside the box. If you think you are stuck in a dead-end job, then work the job to pay the bills, and start working on a plan for a better future. Figure out where your skills can lead you, and they they don't lead in a direction you like, acquire others.

Approach your career problem the way you would approach an engineering problem.

[uglybiker]

The U.S. ain't the only country with a defense industry. Who knows? Somebody just might be looking for your skill in Australia, Japan or Sweden (Taiwan?)...

Might be a real adventure.