I'm in the lobby of a hotel I'm not staying at working on aNOTHER resume. More on that soon...
It's flat and snowy and rainy and cold and icy. I've been here in Kansas for six days. So far we've had a full week of inprocessing nonsense (read: mind numbing). This job I've taken -- Human Terrain Analyst -- is unique in all the bullshit requirements. First of all, BAE Systems, the company that is responsible for training me before I become a Department of the Army civilian, has a whole list of requirements. Online classes, class classes, online tests, piles of paperwork. And then there's the Department of the Army; all of the same kind of stuff, except different. And then there's the Army Army, with an 8 hour online course on Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape, anti-terrorism courses, intel courses, counter-intel courses, information assurance courses -- ugh! At this point, I've got a count of 13 different passwords for 13 different log ins for 13 different websites -- and this is sure to grow next week.
Alright, if this sounds like a rant, you're right. It is a rant.
So what am I doing?
In the simplest terms, the goal of the Human Terrain Systems is to give commanders insight into the population and its culture in order to enhance operational effectiveness and reduce military and civilian conflict (Wikipedia).
That is what I'll be training to do over the next few months before my eventual departure to Afghanistan.
But for now, I've got to focus on getting hired AGAIN, as I've only been hired by BAE Systems and tomorrow I submit my resume to the Department of the Army. Back to work.
Music I've been listening to...
Discovery - Osaka Loop Line (funky electro stuuuffff. I dig it)
Darwin Deez - Constellations (super hipster)
Naked and Famous - Punching in a Dream, Young Blood (A LOT like MGMT -- but I dig em)
Surfer Blood - Take It Easy (A song I've been listening to for a while, but it's got an important message (relax Ryan))
Wolf Gang - The King and All Of His Men, Lions in Cages (Feel good indie rock)
Crystal Castles - Not in Love (Straight up groovy)
Long Walks on the Beach - metaPhysical (more feel good indie)
BELOW: My trusty steed, The Duke. Note the California License plates.
You blog, too? What don't you do?! :)
ReplyDeleteThis latest endeavor sounds very interesting, not to mention useful. I hope you get as much out of it as you put in. Good luck!