Two months later I was helping a new hire prepare for a Master’s Program for which the USAF would pay. I learned that they had less experience than I did, but they were hired as a GS-12.

Due to Time-In-Grade rules, I have to wait a year (or get a nearly impossible to acquire waiver) until I qualify for a GS-12. Although this means I lose out on $10,000, I am cheerfully reminded that I will soon automatically be a GS-12. Then I would have to wait for a year to qualify for a GS-13 spot. The colleague will qualify about the time I become a GS-12.

Since I already have a Master’s Degree, I do not qualify for additional educational support. Help with my student loan? Huge resistance.

So the government is hobbling me and willing to pay more for less experience, ignore my education while paying for someone to come up to my level — oh did I forget to mention that I also teach college-level, business courses, part-time and have done so for 10 years?

It is not just my observation. I have received the highest annual reviews. And the same supervisor, who is powerless to help, acknowledges that I qualify to have been hired at the 12 level.