Pros
Service beyond self is a good way to describe this line of work. Dedication and loyalty to our country and what is stands for is also another way to describe why one should be involved with this line of work. This work is suited for those who are adventurous and like to travel every now and then to different parts of the United States and perhaps other parts of the world. The overall benefit package of annual leave and sick leave, health insurance, an actual retirement plan, and relative job stability still make it a good place to work.
Cons
One of the downsides of this job is the reliance on information technology with an overwhelming push toward computer based training (CBT). CBTs were supposed to make our jobs more efficient over the years but has actually contributed to the "enslavement" of employees with an unspoken language of both to "learn on their own" and become the "resident expert" of learning other people's jobs. The amount of time that it actually takes to complete this training for some CBTs is ludicrous. People are still not as familiar with the material even after completing the CBTs. Another major downside is getting the expected amount of work done yet not enough personnel provided in which to adequately get the work done. We've all heard the expression "do more with less" but the Air Force has seemed to have written a chapter in this book. The senior leaders have done little to provide enough military or civilian employees to get the work done even though "manpower studies" have been conducted. Even after the manpower studies have been conducted, those in a position of authority have done little to increase manpower to relieve the workload pressure felt by its employees.
