"Self," I would say, "No matter how much the government says they need you and are initially willing to compensate you, always remember there are those in elected government who hate you and who will make it their life's mission to attack you, make your life a living hell, and to chip away both pay and benefits almost your entire career. Go elsewhere and do something else, for in the end they will use you rather than treasure you."
That is pretty much true with every company though. They will always take all they can and aren't afraid to pad the bottom line at your expense if they think they can get away with it.
I provide high value and performance for my company, but I also make sure that I am always seen as a subtle flight risk to keep from being taken for granted. All of this swearing of allegiance and saying you want to stay somewhere forever and ever is a lot of interview crap and everyone knows it. The employer/employee relationship is a business relationship and nothing more. Unfortunately, you can't play the government/military like that unless you are contracting.
Anyway, if I had it to do over again:
-Enlist Ranger Regiment out of high school just to get the tab.
-Get out after two on a Green to Gold scholarship.
-Get an army paid for nursing degree.
-Get into the army's nurse anesthetist program and get that for free.
-Get out and work 40hrs a week in an outpatient surgery center for $150k plus.
-Live on a house boat walking distance from a quality bar district.
-Buy enough of an airplane to get myself and a couple of 105 lb. buxom babes out to the islands.
-Utilize my middle finger as often as possible.
