Goodfella said:
If you're ever considering going IS Engr....DON'T! The employability of IS Engrs is forever decreasing unless you're happy working with outdated IS/IT equipment. The IS involvement in BOWMAN is also non-existent unless you're happy doing an App Specs course which I am led to believe involves learning how to use Open Office et al. Not good at all and very frustrating especially if you've got networking experience and courses under your belt which are going to waste.
Goodfella, you and I are in serious danger of falling out.
It all depends what unit you serve in, doesn't it? I think you probably have a fair point referring to working in an Armd Bde Sig Sqn. It goes with the territory, I'm afraid. The plain fact of the matter is that your career choices have a knock-on effect, some postings are better than others and all those factors need to be considered in your long-term career plan. OK Germany has lots of cheap beer, tax-free cars etc etc, but unless you're in 16 Sigs CIS Tp, you ain't going to be working with decent kit. How can you seriously suggest that people shouldn't go IS Engr, based on your Sqn's lack of equipment and the fact that Bowman is a disaster.
Where I work we have some pretty crap kit too, but on the other hand we get the chance to play with emerging technology (at least in Army terms) as well. You seem to be spreading a pretty bitter message, I suspect that it's partly due to the Corps failing to single you out for superhero status and promote you instantly to SOinC. I personally think you're miles off the pace and you need to tone down the self-important whingeing and start being proactive in looking for a suitable posting where you can flex your Stephen Hawking-like egghead skills. You need to accept where you are in your career, mate, then work it out from there.
Guys out there, pse ignore Goodfella's whingeing post. I still think that IS Engr is an outstanding trade for the sheer scope of jobs out there and the chance for good guys to shine. Paradoxically, that unwieldy scope of employment brings its own problems but there we go. Perhaps the trade group "realignment" (my wording!) might solve things, perhaps not. I admit that there are units where you should avoid like the plague but hey what's new. I suggest annotating your posting preference to request that you "work with PoisonDwarf"...after all, if it was too much hard work then I wouldn't be there would I?!!!
PD
