Anyone here work as a machinist for the US Gov?

[aaron p]

If so, how do you like the pay/benifits and other aspects of the job. Im seeking a secure line of work as a CNC machinist and have some friends that are machinist for the Navy and Army and are very happy. Making over $30/hr as well.

[Dorsal]

If you don't trust what your friends tell you face-to-face, why would you trust what some absolute strangers tell you here?

[aaron p]

Who said I didnt trust what my friends said? Pretty stupid statement sir. I was just looking for more oppinnions on the subject. They are friends in other states as well, so it wasnt "face-to-face".

[dertsap]

I don't know how the pensions and stuff are in the US military but I know people here in Canada who are retiring at 40 after 20 yrs of service and they are laughing , these people are pro's with top education in various fields

[aaron p]

Job im looking at is in Rock Island, Illinois at the Army Arsenal HQ. I wont be active duty, just civillian working on the base. Tired of the oil-field business and getting ripped off pay wise.

[paul gibson]

Aaron P.

If the pay is 30+ hr. Would that be a good rate for cost of living in the Chicago area? Used to use some online software that would allow you to enter your yearly, and your zip code. It would ratio it out to the pay and zip code you were considering. Nice if you aren't familiar with other areas economies.
Have been out of the clock punch world for a few years. So can't recall where I found it. But sure a web search will find a comparable site.
Know what you mean by tired of the Oilfield. It's love/hate in the O&G work.
Work you to death for ten years, starves you out for 2, then starts all over again. But all in all it has been good to me.

regards
P.G.

[aaron p]

Well, I run parts that are close to half a million dollars each for a meere $18/hr. Cant even afford to get a decent vehicle or a nice house. Time to move on. Tired of getting screwed over pretty hard. Been lied to twice as well about raises. They told me im one of the best guys in the plant, but yet they cant give me a freakin raise. Seems like the harder I work in life, the more I get pushed back. I remember my parents saying to work hard and you will be successfull. Pretty hard to keep that in my head after the way ive been treated in the last few years. There are some very funky threads on oilfield stuff that I probably will never see again once I leave the industry. The Army arsenol sounds like a really cool place with alot of technology. Still want to get my mechanical engineeering degree as well.

[dertsap]

I thought you were going to get into the engineering dept where you are now ? what happened ?

$30/hr US sounds pretty darned good to me , if you can get in then you'll be rockin , but it's not a good one for you to be advertising on the web , that could be a shot in the foot that will really hurt

[aaron p]

Originally Posted by dertsap I thought you were going to get into the engineering dept where you are now ? what happened ? $30/hr US sounds pretty darned good to me , if you can get in then you'll be rockin , but it's not a good one for you to be advertising on the web , that could be a shot in the foot that will really hurt

Im not saying where the job is located at.
As far as getting into the manufacturing dept. at my job, it aint gonna happen. Just like I tried to go over to out prototype complex across the highway, they wouldnt let me go. Apparently a good machinist is hard as hell to come by these days. If I do get the new job, I will give the company im working for now about 2 days to decide to either pay up, or im walking. I might only be 24, but its time I get PAID! Ive paid my dues working for $9/hr as a grunt 5 years ago. Id like to get into aerospace stuff as well. Gov. job is alot more secure IMO as well. As long as you get on a main base that has massive manufacturing support, your job security is very good. I dont drink much at all, or do any drugs and have no criminal record as well. My father works at the army base in my home town in south texas as a parts crack inspector (mag, flux, flouro, ultrasonic) and makes $27.85/hr with almost unlimited overtime. They do repairs on the helicopters that come back from the sandbox.

[dertsap]

the job sounds pretty good

too bad it didn't work out for you getting into the manufacturing dept , it's kind of the curse of being one of the good guys on the floor , generally the good guys stay on the floor , there's room for advancement as long as it's on the floor , you can take it as a compliment of some sort I suppose

[aaron p]

Originally Posted by dertsap the job sounds pretty good too bad it didn't work out for you getting into the manufacturing dept , it's kind of the curse of being one of the good guys on the floor , generally the good guys stay on the floor , there's room for advancement as long as it's on the floor , you can take it as a compliment of some sort I suppose

It is a shame. I really have a creative mind and am currently working with the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) to have the 1st approved aluminum lightweight rear lug nuts for drag racing. As far as advancement goes on the floor, ive toped out in only 18months! Running a 5axis Mazak integrex with some parts in the 250-300" long range and upwards of $500K. Im best on a VMC with smaller high precision parts, but can work a 5axe if I need to. I have no kids or wife, so im chasing the cash! I told the girl ive been hanging with up in engineering that im up for auction. I go to the highest bidder! Shes fresh out of college, but will see the real side of coorperate business pretty soon. Smart as hell girl! Wish she was single.

[MBG]

Your young get your degree.

You can't "hang" with the engineering guys unless you have that degree...

It might seem like a piece of paper but it is a lot more to most people.

Trust me after B.S. classes in thermo, materials, and dynamics I haven't learned to much to be honest.


But you need it.



By the way I am a mechanica engineer.