Working Parents Survival Guide - Balance Work and Kids

Working Parents Survival Guide - Balance Work and KidsWorking Parents Survival Guide - Balance Work and KidsLike many new parents, you may want to take some time off from work to be home with your kids. After all, they do grow up very quickly. Its not entirely accurate that going back to work after your kids start school is less challenging than balancing working and caring for an infant or toddler. While you may not want to miss a second of your childs first few years of life- opting to be a stay-at-home parent until your kids are school-age- there are a lot more things to consider once your child is spending several hours a day in a classroom. Concerns for Parents of School-Age Children The best time to think about how you are going to handle both having a job and raising children is before you begin this phase of your life. Several things make it harder to work while your kids or a bit older and in school than when they are infants or toddlers. School Days Are Shorter Than Wor k Days Since your child will spend seven hours a day in school, they wont need a full-time sitter. However, it will be necessary to arrange childcare for the time between when school lets out and your return home from work. There Are Frequent Holidays, Vacations, and Shortened Days Holidays, early dismissals, and extended recesses dot the school year. They usually add up to more time than most parents can get off from work. If your coworkers also have school-age children, competition for getting vacation time during school breaks, for example during summer break or winter and spring holidays, will be stiff. Finding a sitter who is willing to work sporadically throughout the year may be next to impossible because most prefer to have steady employment. Kids Get Sick...A Lot It may be possible to cover scheduled school breaks by relying on friends and family, and taking time off from work when possible. You will be all platzdeckchen as long as your children go to school every day it is in session. But how often does that happen? Kids get sick now and then (more now it sometimes seems rather than then). Whether you know your child is ill before you leave for work or he or she doesnt feel well during the day, you will have to make last minute arrangements. Some bosses allow workers to take sick days without specifying whether it is for themselves or their children. Many employers, unfortunately, are not that flexible. Having a sick child at home may coincide with attending or even running an important meeting or presentation. It is essential to have a backup plan which may include enlisting relatives or friends who can provide childcare on a moments notice. Alternatives Work Arrangements It may be possible to have a work schedule that allows you to be at home when your children are. Here are some options Get a Part-Time Job Rather than getting a full-time job with regular hours, think about looking for a part-time one. If you could only work during the school day, it would at least alleviate the problem of finding childcare for after school hours. Consider Flextime Some employers allow their workers to have a flexible schedule. Rather than working from 9 am to 5 pm, for example, your boss may let you work from 7 am to 3 pm. If both parents employers allow flextime, their schedules may be complementary- one parent can be at home while the other is at work. However, that would prevent them from spending time together as a family. Work From Home Remote work offers the opportunity to earn money without leaving the house. Some bosses allow their employees to do their jobs from home when they are unable to make it to work, for example, when a child is sick. Other arrangements involve telecommuting only, with workers never having to set foot in an office. Some remote jobs require adhering to a strict schedule and will not solve the problem of having to run out during the day to pick up your child from school. Key Takeaway Being a working parent of a school-age child comes with some challenges. The trick to being successful at it while keeping your sanity is to have a plan, and then a backup plan, and then a backup plan for your backup plan. Expect the unexpected to happen because it will.

Air Force Special Tactics Officer (STO)

Air Force Special Tactics Officer (STO)Air Force Special Tactics Officer (STO)The Air Force has both ground and air special operations programs for both enlisted and officers alike. In the Air Force, officers have the option to become warfighting special operators in the Special Operations Command by pursuing career paths such as the Special Tactics Officer (STO), Combat Rescue Officer (CRO), and pilots flying a variety of special operations capable fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. For more details, see the Air Force Special Operations Command. What Is a Special Tactics Officer? The STO is directly responsible for planning and directing pilot and personnel rescue and combat air control missions. Special Tactics Officers are work directly for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and specialize in controlling combat search and rescue/personnel recovery, battlefield trauma care, fire hilfe air assets for special operations and tactical weather observations and forecastin g.The enlisted airmen under the Special Tactical Officers command are the Air Force Pararescue,Combat Control Technicians,Tactical Air Control Party (TACP),Combat Weathermen,Survive, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE). The missions support joint and combined air, ground, and military conventional and special operations as part of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM). How to Become an STO Officer Candidates/Cadets and Officers who apply for Air Force Special Ops programs face a competitive challenge just to get the opportunity to attend the assessment and selection program. Typically, Special Operations enlisted operators outnumber the officers 10 to 1, so just by the numbers alone, it is very competitive for the officer seeking to serve in Special Operations. However, the competition is high due to the complexity of the missions, the physical, mental, and leadership strainsthat the positions take on the officers. Therefore, the screening and selection has to require above ave rage candidates in every category. If you are a highly qualified candidate at the Air Force Academy, Air Force ROTC, Air Force Officer, or other tafelgeschirr branch member seeking to transfer to become an Air Force Special Tactics Officer, here is the process you must endure Phase 1 The first step is to submit an application package to the Air Force Special Operations Selection Committee. Candidates have to apply for Phase 1 Selection first which is a board of STOs who think the application is good enough to pass Phase 2. A solid resume (grades, leadership roles, work experiences), above average Physical Ability and Stamina Test (PAST) scores, a letter of recommendation from your commanding officer, and anything that distinguishes you from your peers is critical for a successful l 1. About the STO - PAST STO PAST is a challenging test - probably the most challenging of all entry-level military tests 1500m swim plus a 25m underwater swim, 3-mile run, Pushups, Situps, Pullups Her e are the fitness standards however the minimum standards will make Phase II selection more challenging for you, and you will perhaps not get assignment to Phase II depending upon the competition of the applications.The first part of the test requires the applicant to score at a minimum12 pull-ups,75 sit-ups,64 push-ups in 2 minutes period. Then you will run3 miles non-stop for time with a minimum standard of 22 minutes. Then the applicant dresses for the swimming-pool and swimsunderwater for 25 meters. Then the next event is the1500m swim non-stop - any stroke except backstroke (with or without fins) in under 32 minutes.These are minimum standards but with a highly competitive program, often higher than average scores will open the door for you to attend the Phase 2 Selection Program. Some recommendations from previous candidates are the following20 Pullups, 100 situps, 100 pushups, sub 20 min 3-mile run and a sub 27 min 1500m swim. Being in the kind of conditioning that warrant these scores will also give you a solid foundation for Phase 2 Selection Training. To improve your scores from the minimum standards to the above average/competitive standards will require running and swimming 5-6 days a week and doing strength training for your upper body every other day. On days in between the upper body lifts and calisthenics workouts, you should consider some lifting and leg exercises to build a strong core in preparation log PT fireman carries, ruck marches, and other load bearing activities. Phase 2 A week-long assessment and selection program in Hurlbert AFB in Florida which will require a week of running, rucking, swimming with and without fins, pool skills and drills like treading and drownproofing, and of course plenty of physical training (PT). Video of STO Selection Routes To Get To Phase 1 and Phase 2 From the Official Air Force STO Application Package Officer Candidates Cadets from AFROTC/USAF Academy Cadets Cadets should submit a Phase I package before 12-18 months before their projected commissioning date. USAFA cadets should apply in their Second Class year. Inter-service Transfers Officers in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps can join the Air Force if released from the branch of service. If you are in a different service than the Air Force, you should reference AFI 36-2004 Inter-service Transfer of Officer. You should submit your STO application to the ST Phase I selection board before a service transfer is approved. A successful completion or selection of Phase II does not mean you will have the transfer into the Air Force. Officer Training SchoolOnly enlisted members who desire to attend officer training school and become a STO are eligible for pre-officer phase II selection. Applications from civilian candidates will not be considered. Civilians are encouraged to enlist as combat controllers and apply to Phase I and OTS at the appropriate time in their careers if they prefer to become officers in the Special Tactics Ca reer Field. For Active Duty, USAF Special Tactics Officer Selection is open to Captains and below (0-3 and below.) If you fail Phase II or were not selected, you may apply the following year again.

This picturesque state is now paying people to move there

This picturesque state is now paying people to move thereThis picturesque state is now paying people to move thereDo you love maple syrup? What about skiing? Or Ben and Jerrys ice cream? If you said yes to any of those things, then it may be time to move to Vermont.But even if those perks arent enough to entice you, heres another one As of Jan. 1, the state will pay you up to $10,000 over two years to relocate to Vermont if youre an employee who works remotely.TheRemote Worker Grant Program is an attempt by Vermont legislators to incentivize remote workers to move to their state. To qualify, individuals must work full-time for a company based elsewhere and do most of their job from Vermont.The initiative comes after Vermonts population has stayed flat or even slightly waned, according to The Associated Press. Vermont also plays host to an older demographic than most states, withthe median age of residents at 42.7 years.These demographic shifts - familiar to European countries and ci ties as well as other parts of the United States where the population has begun to dwindle - gave a reason for the grant program, which provides people with an incentive that can cover moving costs, computer software and other on-the-job necessities for remote workers.The state has allotted $500,000 for such grants, and the application is now open. But hurry - grants are awarded first-come, first-served.So if you want to take a ski break from work or have the finest sharp cheddar as your afternoon snack, it may be time to consider a northward move to the Green Mountain State. If it welches good enough for the von Trapps, no doubt its good enough for any of us. And should $10,000 sweeten the pot, all the better.