Should I stay or should I go?

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

(This famous song by The Clash is traditionally played at full volume within the cadet area of the U.S. Air Force Academy the night before 'Commitment Day'. Up until that time, the incoming second class (juniors in the silly-vilian world)  incurs no recoupment nor military service obligation; attending the first day of class of second-class year commits a cadet to either complete their final two years at the 'University of Science and Fine Arts', or if resigning or disenrolled for whatever reason, incur recoupment of their 'free' education, which could be paid off by enlisting for four years. For the record, I never attended USAFA, but know a few people that have, and I'm familiar with their culture.)

I received my offer to extend my contract in this morning's mail. Typically, when your initial two-year contract is about to end you are offered three choices:

1) Extend for one full year, giving 60 days' notice in writing before the end of the contract extension should I resign.

2) Extend for a 'rolling 90'; contract is extended indefinitely, giving 90 days' notice in writing should I resign.

In either case, the minimum notice must be given before getting a 'contract complete' notation in your personnel records; this basically means that the company pays for your airfare back to your home of record. (They'll send your household goods back anyway, as long as you've gone past the 50% mark (1 year) in your initial contract.)

The final option is to not renew your contract, in which the notification also serves as your 60-day notice to begin the PCS (permanent change of station) process.

In the nearly 21 months I've been here on Kwaj, I've enjoyed the experience of living and working in a tropical island and the many friends I've made on this remote little rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The title 'Kwajaleinian', 'Kwajite' or 'Kwajie' will never leave me. Sure, I've suffered through shortages of essential items (it's on the next barge!), lousy food at the PDR, painfully slow dial-up internet, the occasional case of 'rock fever' that is only cured by going off-island and venting off steam by complaining and grumbling at times. However, it's kept my sanity in check thoughout this tour. I've seen some people hate this place the moment they get off the airplane, counting the days until the end of the contract or finding some way to get booted off the island. I've also seen others that fell in love with the island life and community, and have spent many years here. I really do like the job and the island life; I guess this is the reward for surviving nearly three years in the job from hell (which I've already explained in detail in a previous blog post). I've reached my decision, and it really didn't take very long for me to make it:

I am extending my contract via the 'rolling 90s' option.

Eventually I'll get tired of the island life and want to return to the creature comforts back on the mainland, but that's something to consider in the future. It's the least of my worries right now.