The Other Side..

I think I am starting to get a tiny bit of a taste of what life in the military will be like. I am still early in the game and still have so much to learn about rules and expectations, but every day and with each person I speak with the clouds are lifting. I am learning that the military has better staffing than any other facility on the planet. There is usually helping hands all around. The work is not that difficult and it is very relaxed. I hear about almost endless opportunities to advance and seek education. The negative that keeps creeping up is the political side of things. The endless networking and schmoozing that needs to take place if you want a particular path. There are some opportunities in the military that are highly competetive and if you don't have the right people backing you then you are screwed. This is where I have big time concerns!! I have always come from the school that the work should speak for your worth. However, I am told that the real swing vote in the military comes from the right person backing you. I fear this may be my ultimate hurdle with the organization. Don't get me wrong - I will not let the political nature deter me from going for anything. It just means I need to work on being seen in a more positive light and speaking up a little more. It is all about finding out how I can fit what they are looking for and hoping I can use my skills to help balance my obvious weakness in networking.