Justin's Life (and sometimes just his rants)
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JULY 2004
  

 

Entry 4: July 3, 2004

Yesterday I was promoted. I am now a LT (O3) in the Navy. This will be a nice little change for a lot of reasons-pay and respect being the most significant.

Specifically, my O3 pay is retroactive back to October 03. It will be nice to get a big check to pay down debts. The promotion also impacts my perceived credentials at the Pentagon. Over the last few months there has been an interesting dynamic with my job (Legal Assistance Attorney)-a LTJG providing life impacting advice to Admirals, Colonels, and Generals. Putting on O3 adds about 5 years to my perceived experience in the Navy. I must confess, however, that I kind of enjoyed the extreme reverse hierarchy that existed. This was (and still is) aggravated by the fact that my office is bigger (significantly bigger), than most office in the Pentagon, most notably, bigger than that JAG for the Navy (an Admiral). Anyway that's what's new with me. Justin Out.


  
Entry 5: July 11, 2004

July in DC-hot, muggy and busy. These last few weeks have been no exception. But I did have some respite. Last week I spent all week in Newport, RI at Naval Justice School for an estate planning course. Unlike DC, Newport in July is beautiful. The signature sail boats abound and lobster is cheap. I didn't sail, but I managed to partake of my fair share of lobster. "Old Money" defines Newport. But the Navy provides opportunities for common folk to partake in some of the affluent Newport culture. I did manage to play nine holes of golf at a beautiful golf course around Providence.

There are a couple of things worth mentioning about my trip, not so much about what I did, but a few insights. (Maybe if I write it down, in the future I will take these things more serious.) First, I regret not taking my family. Although there would have been some expense involved, I really wish that Lisa and the girls could have been there. We could have made a long week and a half trip out of the out the experience. This would have been a perfect opportunity to see New England. In the future I will start with the presumption that the family is coming along. Second, I do not want to practice estate planning long term. This decision was made early on in the course. To provide clients quality service, you really need an LL.M in Tax. Some of the concepts discussed blew my mind. Well this is the latest with me. Justin Out.