I call shenigans on that one AN. Had an offer and turned it down cold. I have a great aunt and uncle over there (uncles retired with damn good pension) and they told me good things about the place including the 9 to 5 and nothing more but I did not find it even close to competive in terms of earnings…
I think I would have liked the job though… Back then it was called something like NAVSPAWAR or something else longer…[/quote]
When was this? In 2002, I had 2 classmates accepting offers at SPAWAR for $55k/year. Us who work in the private sector were getting $50-55k. So, either they lie or it was different in 2002 compare to when you got your offer.
I know someone who works at North Island and he have MANY friends at SPAWAR. He said the pay at SPAWAR is very competitive to private sector, but they also work you much harder(relatively to North Island), so he decide to stay at North Island. Take his 2 hour lunches, take a month each year off because of “use it or lose it” rule, work his 9-5, get his overtime when getting near deadline, etc. I ask him when he’ll retire and he told me he’s basically semi-retired. The work is super slow and laid back. There’s no point for him to retire since there’s little to no pressure at work.