40 days

I’ve got 40 days to become the ultimate know it all. The test has been looming over my head for a year and I’ve got to buckle down, stop goofing around on the internet, stop goofing around watching TV, and stop goofing around writing useless blog posts (for the most part) so I can dedicate all of my time and energy to studying for that next rank. The test is hard – extremely hard – but the good news is that I can get a lower score this year and still get the rank. The bad news is that I need to score 68% on each test. Yes, 68% in most cases is failing but on our promotion tests that pretty damn good.

Think of it this way – could you answer 70% of the technical questions about your career field (that happens to be spread across nine functional areas) off the top of your head? If you could – you’ve probably already been promoted.

The bad news is that even though I test in 40 days I won’t find out the results until July. I’m sure that if I did make it this year I wouldn’t even get to wear the rank until the following May or June because of my short time in service. Last time I made rank I earned the stripe in August and was allowed to sew it on the following August (the maximum wait time).

Well – see you in 40 days – hopefully – I’ve got to stay on task.