Been Management too long

[Velasco]

I have been managing a PMEL for 3 years and am sure I am slowly unlearning all of my calibration skills. How hard is it to pick up bench level calibrating again when I get out of the military and hire on as a civilian. Do companies expect me to be ready to calibrate at full speed or do they give you a few weeks to get back on track? Also I have been kicking around the idea of occasionally calibrating 1 or 2 days a month to stay proficient, what do you think?

[USMC kalibrater]

Its like riding a bike.  I will say that if you go to a third pary cal lab, you will be expected to perform at the level they hire you in at relatively quick.  The production pace in a third party lab is fast.  Im sure its much quicker than you have seen.  The nice part is most companies recognize this and will give you time to adjust.
For what its worth, I reccomend find an internal lab or a contract DoD lab, they may pay a little less to start out but the pace is much more reasonable

[Hawaii596]

And all this time I was upset that as technical manager that I have to spend so much time on the bench.  I don't know how your employer would be, but maybe recommend as manager that you need to spend at least some amount of time on bench on a regular basis to maintain your skills.  If it is an ISO17025 lab, you could use that as your reasoning.  You need to stay competent to make technical decisions.  If you feel like you are losing some edge, I think if you are in position as technical manager (making decisions about technical matters), it is very important to maintain your knowledge level.  Just a few thoughts.

[RFCAL]

Ha!!--You're just getting old!!

[spanishfly25]

if I was you, I just find a management job. they also need managers. like the post below for cherry hill NJ

[Velasco]

I believe I would be much happier calibrating then I would be managing.  I find calibrating to be peaceful and relaxing, although managing isn't too bad, I definitely wouldn't call it relaxing or peaceful, the day does go by fast though. I do agree with Hawaii I should remain technically competent to make wise decisions. 

[USMC kalibrater]

I believe I would be much happier calibrating then I would be managing. 

HAHAHAHAHAHA managing metrology people sucks ass!  Been there done that, successfully I might add...but Ill take the bench over people any day of the week!

[USMC kalibrater]

There are good jobs outside the gov in Metrology.  I love it where I am at, not one complaint!