This article is pretty much just for me to get something out of my system - even though I know it won't do much good.
Background:
The Navy enlisted rank structure goes like this: Seaman recruit, seaman apprentice, seaman, petty officer third class, second class, first class, chief, senior chief, master chief. I am a first class. It's the worst rank of all because you have to convince your superiors that you're worthy of being a chief while taking care of the juniors below you. These two things are often not congruent.
Every January, Petty Officer First Classes across the world take the Chief's exam, and those that make "the board" (which means you are now under review for selection to chief) wait it out until mid-late August to see if they were selected. And so I sit. Trying like hell not to bite my nails - and failing.
So it's August 6th, and I'm in suspended animation. If I make it, life will be much different for me in terms of what my job is than if I don't. My band understands. They all want me to make it very badly - because they believe that with a pair of anchors (Chief Petty Officer rank insignia), I might be able to effect some much needed change. You see, a chief can't get into a whole lot of trouble unless they really try to. But a 1st class can end his/her career just being too vocal about things. And so I wait - wondering if I'm going to get the nod this year. They're only making 9 of us out of 31 eligible. My evaluations have been pretty damn good for the last few years, so my chances are also good, but you just never know what those crazy boards are thinking.
If I don't make it, it's ok. At least I'll then know what I have to do next...it's the waiting that kills me. The board is closed - the decisions are made, but we have to await the release of the results, and so I'm on pins and needles. Look for a blog entry of a big anchor with no words if I make it.