The word "mil" is derived from the Latin word for one thousand (1,000). In tax terms, one mil is equal to 1/1000 of a dollar or one dollar ($1.00) in tax for every one thousand dollars ($1,000) of assessment.
A City needs $22,000 to balance its budget. The total taxable assessment for all properties is $5,939,467.
The mil rate must be applied uniformly throughout the community, although certain properties, such as churches and schools are exempt from real property tax. Council, itself, may exempt certain property owners from paying property tax. That is why the mil rate is calculated on the total taxable assessment.
This amount of municipal tax payable by a property owner is calculated by multiplying the mil rate by the assessed value of a property and dividing by 1000.
Using 3.70 as the Mil Rate, a taxpayer with an average property valued at $340,000 would be sent a tax bill for $1,258.


The world is currently experiencing its one of its worst refugee problems since the Second World War, with masses of people being displaced through war, famine, economic poverty and more. You'd hope by this point, in the 21st century, humankind would have learned and moved on from this sort of wretchedness, but no. And apart from the physical and practical problems of countries coping with a mass influx of often desperate refugees, there are those who shamelessly use such an awful situation to whip up xenophobic hatred, turned to their own cynical purposes to garner political and popular support. German creator Kugler does something which is desperately needed, puts a very human, very personal face onto some of those refugees.
We see in the news regular statistics – this many drowned in a ricket boat crossing to Europea, this many in camps, this many asking for asyulm in countries that are worried about the impact of so many so quickly, even in nations who have traditionally been open and inviting. Kugler does not pretend to have answers to these enormous practical and ethical problems, what he does here is give us people, not statistics, not some politician's ideologically driven rhetoric. People. Men, women, kids, families. People just like us, like our friends, our families, our neighbours, our communities.
The images we see from the news, even by the most well-intentioned journalists, often gives a distorted view. We see people grubbing in the mud of a camp like the infamous Jungle in Calais, or an overflowing city of tents in Kurdistan, and those images can give us the wrong impression, make us judgemental in the same we it is too easy to be when seeing someone begging or sleeping rough on our own city streets. We don't know the stories behind those images, behind those people, what they have endured, are still enduring. Kugler gives us that, and does his level best to do so without interjecting himself – there is a very clear desire by the author to make sure that as much as possible he presents these people in their own words.
Many of these refugees are well-educated folk from a decent background, college-educated with degrees, a nice family, pretty home (one speaks movingly of missing their little vegetable garden by their home, where they grew oranges and lemons right by the house, home now gone, even the trees that grew for years ripped up by the uncaring war). There are teachers here, lawyers, computer specialists, nurse, doctors, even psychologists like Suzan who helps MSF (Medecins Sans Frontiers, the same charitable organisation many of you will remember Guy Delisle's wife working for in his comics travelogues).
Kugler goes to various locations to talk first hand to people who have had to flee Syria, some because the war came literally to their doorstep (if they were lucky they all escaped with little more than the clothes on their backs, if they were unlucky they escaped after shells had killed some of their family in front of them), taking us from Kurdistan to the Greek island of Kos, to the "Jungle" camp in Calais, to Britain and Germany where some of the refugees have been allowed to settle, the most fortunate reunited with other family members already there, he takes us from those struggling in overflowing tented camps where charities and local authorities are overwhelmed by the sheer numbers, to those trying to make a new life for themselves in Europe.
It's often heartbreaking, especially hearing from the children. Not for the first time I was reminded of the late, great Spike Milligan's war memoirs, from the WWII Italian campaign when they came across a village where a child had become a casualty of the fighting; "the adult world should forver hang its head in shame at what is has done to children" commented Spike, and he wasn't wrong. But while much of this is, as you might imagine, very upsetting, this is balanced with that quality we all need, especially these days: hope. We see the fortunate make new homes for themselves; they miss their old hometown, their country, but they are relieved to be in a place that is safe, where their children can go to school and thrive.
Several times the kids briefly forget the traumas their young eyes have seen and grow excited like any other child, telling Kugler what they want to be when they grow up and leave school ("a nurse!" "an engineer!!"). The fact they can overcome those traumas and think about a future again, to play and dream of being a doctor or an engineer when they are older, is a wonderful thing to see in those children. In an especially touching scene Kugler visits some in Germany – the kids of the family now go to his old school.
Rather than a series of sequential panels, Kugler opts more for (mostly) coloured sketches taking up an entire page, or sometimes running across two pages, with text telling the person's own story, rather than speech bubbles. Thoughtfully these chunks of text running around the art are numbered to make it easier to follow around the art layout. The sketches themselves tend to focus on characters central in the image, they are depicted with the most detail, the colouring, and most importantly, the expressions, coming through clearly, while around the periphery details and people there are sketchier, not as detailed, perhaps not even coloured in.
It felt as if the artist was using this approach to hint that for every couple of people he talked to, centre on the stage of the page, there were so many others around the edge; he can't talk to them all but he can infer to the reader that they are there and the too matter. There are small details added in like a little arrow pointing to something small in the background and text explaining "chocoalt bar", "plastic flowers". It all serves to normalise these unusual scenes, the bric-a-brac of everyday life scattered around just like it would be anywhere.
There is also a remarkable amount of hospitality and welcome shown here by many refugees. As Kugler explains not everyone wants to be drawn or photographed, understandably given their circumstances (many still have family back in war-torn Syria and fear anything they say could cause trouble for family still there). But many, even those in the regugee camps with so little to their name, still do their best to offer warm hospitality when he visits. One man who had managed to make himself a wee business while stuck in the camps, running a small stall selling coffee, drinks and other snacks sees him standing in the cold and mud waiting on his interpreter to arrive, and offers him hot, sweet coffee, refusing payment. Others, in tents or in homes in Birmingham or Simmozheim, Kugler's home village in Germany welcome him into their homes, be they tents in a camp or actual homes in the country managed to get asylum in.
Even for those settled in Europe the scars are horribly visible, both physical (one man shows his bullet wounds), others mental (children still scared when they hear a helicopter passing overhead, or the sudden roar of a train going over a bridge as they walk under it. Again I was reminded of Milligan, how his nerves shattered by the war, he would find himself in tears of sudden fear just from the sudden sound of a car exhaust backfiring). God knows what some of them have been through – despite many opening up to Kugler, it's obvious this is barely scratching the tip of the iceberg. We all know how bad a place we can be in when dealing with emotional upsets – illness, losing a loved one – and how emotionally hard it is to cope, and that is us with our home, rest of our family and friends around us. Imagine having those kinds of traumas and losing your home, the town you lived in destroyed, having to flee your own land and throw yourself out hoping desperately for help.
That's what Kugler does so well here, he enables us to see these people not as a news story, not as statistics, not as demonised figures, but to show us people, people we can see ourselves in, we can empathise with. And from empathy comes compassion and more understanding, and god knows our world desperately needs those right now. This is not an easy read, it's emotionally hard-going, but very worth making that effort; it's a much-needed riposte to the demonising and hatred we see poured at some refugees, and a reminder of that old saying, there but for the grace of God go I. How swiftly could everything we think is normal be destroyed just as it was for these people? Home, work, school, going to a restaurant, the movies, day out with the kids? Suddenly all gone. And how desperate would we be, how much would we rely on our fellow humans to show kindness if it were us in such a situation? No, this is not an easy read, but it is, I would say, a very important read.
After the article I posted last autumn on Al Franken's excellent book Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them dealing with Fox and the other right-wing Nazi shock-jock hate-mongers (and Fox's own goal when they tried to sue him but only pushed the book to the top of the NY Times bestsellers) I found this particularly interesting. Glad to see that at least in the UK the regulators will not just sit back and let these wankers dress up what are almost neo-Nazi rants as 'news'. Guess this means Anne Coulter won't be getting a daytime show on UK services then, eh? For shame.


Responsible for the management of programs for commercial and military customers including OEM's, Integrators, Dealers and Operators, this role manages, oversees, monitors and approves elements of assigned programs from inception to completion including proposal development, product design, procurement, subcontracting, manufacturing, testing, certification, delivery, installation, acceptance and support of products. Key responsibilities: -	Manages all phases of programs from conceptualization through completion, including acquisition, development, execution, customer satisfaction, planning, and managing technical performance to ensure quality, business, and financial objectives are attained. -	Manages and maintains continuous customer interaction and satisfaction as the primary customer contact.-	Manages program cost, schedule and performance working continuously with program teams and collaboratively with matrix functional supervisors and administrative personnel.-	Maintains primary responsibility for management of contract scope, coordinating with Customer program management and supporting Company contracts administration in processing and negotiation of contract modifications when necessary. -	Identifies potential project risks, problems or issues and coordinates corrective efforts; develops and maintains a project risk register with mitigation plans.-	Conducts and participates in program coordination meetings, technical interchange meetings, and customer program reviews.-	Plans, organizes, and manages the preparation of proposals in response to both commercial and government RFPs to include cost, schedule, and technical approach.-	Works directly with contracts administration to define contract scope and support negotiation of contract terms and conditions through contract award. Where subcontracts are required, manages the development of specifications, statements of work, evaluation criteria, and requests for proposal.
TMI Products is an Automotive Interior Restoration and Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) Manufacturer.
Responsible for developing video entertainment and safety products in the USA, Europe and China Markets. Managed a cross functional team from market research to prototyping through products end of life. Conducted new product discovery analysis through competitor studies, direct and related market studies, customer surveys to identified future business growth opportunities and product lifecycles. Managed Engineering research, hardware & software prototyping, product design, and manufacturing departments for new applications, in line with ISO 9001:2000 & TS 16949 standards. Supported expeditor, retail and e-commerce customers to support product postings, releases, publications, advertisements, and technical information for sales distribution.
• Proven ability to conduct and manage high performing cross-functional teams in developing over 7,000 vehicle interior RSE applications and 13 new rear seat entertainment mobile video systems for the USA & China. Spending 85% of Product Development on Aftermarket products and remaining 15% of OEM products. Customers include: Best Buy, Al & Ed's, Car Sound, Leisure Time Distributing, Cruchfield, Autobarn, JC Whitney, Expeditor shops, BMW, Toyota, GM, and Hummer.
• Lead cross functional departments to conduct market research, implement new product features and product lines on schedule and within budget. This led to company rear seat entertainment division's annual growth from $2M to $50M in 3 years.
• Implemented a rapid product development process, including product/market research, engineering, supplier partnerships and sub manufacturing departments, resulting in a streamlined JIT (Just In Time) development process allowing the company to be first to market.
• Carried out and lead a cross-functional team in a cost reduction and efficiency plan the improved time to market by 60% and reduced inventory costs by 30%.
• Implemented and managed a new online website, offering customers a web based application to find and purchase an entertainment vehicle specific products. The web site increased product sales and reduced customer order errors.
Mission-focused and versatile signals collector/analyst seeking further opportunities in the SIGINT field. Supported live tactical and strategic in-theater operations, producing actionable intelligence for customers and conducting force protection for nearly three years. Highly experienced briefing senior management, constructing intelligence products, and managing personnel.
Responsibilities • Managed the analysis section and conducted signals collection and analysis. Performed in a wide variety of positions, including but not limited to analysis supervisor, transmission control operator, reporter, mission manager, signal collector, and ELINT collector. • Constructed and presented daily briefings on immediate and long-term network analysis to senior officials using an array of software and presentation tools. • Regularly managed teams of 7-10 employees, overseeing the production of over 15,000 time-sensitive SIGINT reports and conducting quality control in cooperation with multiple other organizations. • Assisted in managing and designing support for operations in the Afghan theater, including target packaging, network development, counter-insurgency activities, including direct communication with and support of troops in contact. • Trained numerous employees in various intelligence disciplines and roles including collection, reporting, supervision, product design, and target packaging. Presented training on various concepts and systems for up to 60 employees at a time. Accomplishments • Awarded the Army Achievement Medal for support of an in-theater operation saving the lives of allied forces in real time. • Assisted in the establishment of new reporting policies and criteria alongside senior staff. Skills Used • Highly adept at the use and troubleshooting of multiple SIGINT platforms (both secret and top secret.) • Proficient in the use of intelligence product development tools such as Arcmap and Analyst's Notebook. • Skilled in the use and troubleshooting of various commercial software on Windows, Macintosh, and Linux platforms. • Extensive familiarity with USSID regulations, classification and caveat principles, and other governing NSA policies.
Over 30 years in the defense sector in military and contract positions. Experience at tactical, operational, and strategic levels. The second half of my career was in joint, combined, and interagency assignments as a Civil Affairs/Civil-Military Operations Officer.
Served as a senior information strategy planner and liaison in support of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Afghanistan coordinating between information support organizations in theater and the NATO operational level headquarters. This required an understanding of the processes for target audience analysis, development of communication objectives, product design, production, testing, and dissemination by radio, television, SMS, and print media. Additionally, surveys, focus group and performance measurement had to be understood. Kept various information organizations situationally aware of current and emerging information themes at the operational level headquarters. Participated in detailed reporting on various boards, working groups, strategy meetings, and advising senior leaders and coalition staff on strategic communication capabilities.
Program Leadership and Management of large scale DoD and international development and production programs to include: requirements definition, product design, qualification, supplier selection, qualification and management, production and sustainment.
P&L Leadership for F/A-18, F-5 & T-38 lines of business to include product development, manufacture, assembly and post production support for the lines of products.Led teams of over 2000 people to consistently increasing revenues and returns.
Accomplished business leader with proven ability to build, transform and lead high-performing, profitable organizations. Recognized for achievement in organizational improvement, product design, project management, financial operation, and customer deployment. Signature ability to multitask in fiercely competitive, fast-paced and versatile environments. Exceptional people management and leadership skills as well as ability to attract, inspire, motivate, and maintain top-tier talent. A competitor, always adopting latest tools, practices, and processes to produce best-in-class organizations. Passion for learning and impact. Self motivated strong agent for change.
•	Rendered high level of System Engineering support to the Chief System Architect for Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) [was Sirius Satellite Radio, now SiriusXM satellite radio]•	Authored major portions of the Top-level System Architecture Document detailing all portions and processing of the satellite digital receiver system from RF front-end to baseband digital signal processing including digital downconversion, demodulation, deinterleaving, and error correction•	Performed system level simulation and analysis from RF to baseband processing (e.g., channel modeling, transmit and receive impairments, modulation/demodulation, and FEC)•	Lead engineer responsible for defining and directing trade studies for second generation Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (COFDM) based digital receiver design•	Led simulation team that defined and characterized design proposals.
Directly lead a 625-person department, overseeing the entire systems, hardware, software, and mechanical engineering design directorates. Responsible for all product development and production support spanning 5 lines of business (signals intelligence/SIGINT, information security & Cyber, ruggedized recorders, and naval and space communications) with approximately $300MM annual sales. Responsible and accountable for overall technical development performance of entire division spanning simultaneous execution of over 50 projects.• Transformed culture to a mindset of excellence, learning and continuous improvement. Instilled Innovation & Design Thinking principles driving organization to be customer and user focused producing more impactful products and solutions.• Led the expansion of automated extensive testing and verification resulting in higher quality products at significantly reduced costs.• Initiated and completed several key design and development process improvement initiatives such as: continuous integration (CI), Agile software development, defect tracking, information dashboards, formal verification for VHDL, automated regression testing, model based systems engineering (MBSE), automated code quality tools.• Completely revitalized Engineering Organization by developing and executing a full talent acquisition and staff realignment plan resulting in a reduction of overhead costs by 15%.
Implemented CAFM program at Southfield Town Center, a two million sq. ft. office complex. Coordinated field survey and CAD database development of all vacant space. Provided construction drawings for new and relocating tenants. Coordinated office space data with broker and architect to provide current status of all vacant and occupied space. Plant Engineering - Designed cullet return conveyor system for Ford's Tulsa Glass Plant. Provided tool design, product design, plant and equipment layout, and packaging design and process illustrations - for various automotive companies. CAD System Manager - System Management responsibilities at Ford Glass prototype center included file/directory management, weekly and monthly back-ups, and archiving of files to increase efficiency of the system. Created graphical user interface for CAD system to reduce design time. Created and documented design standards and procedures to reduce product development time. Environmental Impact Study - Worked with environmental engineering firm to develop computer modeled 3-D site plans and ground composition drawings for DNR Superfund review. Stamping Plant Press installation Design – CAD Coordinator for electrical, mechanical and structural layouts for stamping press installations. Responsible for coordination of all layouts between engineers and CAD operators.
Served primarily as the senior information strategy planner in support of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) information operations (IO) and military information support operations (MISO) throughout the Afghanistan area of operation. * Spearheaded the creation of communication objectives, product design, production, pre-testing, and country-wide dissemination, encompassing radio, television, SMS, and print media. * Conducted in-depth surveys and focus groups in order to measure message effectiveness, performance, and propagation models. Key Accomplishments: * Heavily contributed on various boards, working groups, and strategy meetings, and advised senior management and coalition staff on strategic communication capabilities and limitations. * Successfully directed the focus and efforts supporting Commander ISAF communication priorities and objectives.
REA for the Mobile Satellite Venture (MSV) Uplink STE Rack. Resolved drawing issues with IPT Lead to ensure timely fabrication development. Development entailed elevation design, parts procurement, BOM, RF cable wiring diagram and list, power and ground wiring design, indentured records list, PDR, CDR, Verification Cross Reference Matrix (VCRM), product design, Ethernet layout, manufacturing, and development specification and managing technicians. • Circuit card re-designed for an RF switch matrix box. Wrote, simulated and synthesized VHDL code that controlled CPLD to operate Agilent RF switch matrix. • Task was to reverse engineer obsolete electronic circuit boards for the MCP Satellite program. Searched vendors to replace obsolete electronic components, wrote wiring schematic diagram to replace missing circuit card schematics.
Information Assurance and Cyber Security Leader, Researcher, and Educator with over 15 years of Experience Designing, Implementing and Managing Physical, Technical and Operational Security and Risk Management Solutions in Public and Private Sector Enterprises.
Provide cyber security subject matter expertise, technical solutions, business development, leadership and management within the Cyber Security division and programs. Cyber solutions architect developing security technology solutions and service methodologies to manage client security risk, improve information assurance and ensure regulatory compliance. Develop and manage core capabilities including security architecture, enterprise risk management, security and risk assessments, independent verification and validation, FISMA support and program management, software assurance, incident response, continuous monitoring and assessments and authorization (C&A).
•Was assigned to the Pentagon as part of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) support team.•Met with customers to uncover their geospatial needs and recommended appropriate products and services.•Created digital and hard copy products to be used for strategic planning, force protection, personnel security, combat operations and instructional purposes.•Utilized both web-based and sophisticated software to download, catalog and create geospatial products to be used by both military and civilian decision makers.•Deployed to hazardous areas as an NGA geospatial intelligence analyst to support federal agencies, cryptology support teams (SIGINT), conventional and Special Forces (SOF) units. •Informed team members and consumers the application of geospatial and imagery techniques and instructed on the theory, methods, procedures, and sensors used to produce a vast selection of geospatial intelligence products.
•Provided both imagery and geospatial intelligence support to conventional and Special OperationForces deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Other customers included: high ranking military officers, and government civilians.•Deployed to Iraq from Sep, 2005 to Mar, 2006 and from Sep, 2006 to Mar, 2007.•In two separate combat deployments, provided imagery and geospatial support to infantry regiments; each composed of more than 2000 military and civilian members.•Served seven years as a Combat Arms Marine and four years as an Imagery Intelligence Analyst.
--About Me--For the past 15 years, I have gained practical experience utilizing Systems Engineering processes within the defense industry—from requirements definition and allocation, hardware build cycles, system test and on-site delivery. I have strong working knowledge of hardware design, systems integration and performance testing, Linux environments, hardware drawing/wiring schematics, product design, customer interaction and final delivery. My past experience has provided ample opportunity to demonstrate effective communication skills through daily status reports, work orders, engineering change orders, MS Project and build cycle coordination. I have the demonstrated ability to recognize issues, devise solutions promptly and avoid serious schedule impacts. As an independent self-starter, I excel in all environments either as an individual or as part of a team. --Special Skills--Hardware design, build and integrationAircraft sensor integration and operationsEO/IR, HyperSpectral sensorsWescam MX15, MX20Satellite Ground SystemsRF communicationsCOMSECProject ManagementTeam LeadershipDoD ProgramsLarge scale systems performance testingLinuxWindowsGIS--Contact Me--If you would like to get in touch with me, please do so via my profile or send me an email at JerredLane@gmail.com.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS•	Over five years' experience in Retail Sales, Marketing, Event Planning, Project Coordination, Performance Coaching and proficient Spanish speaker. •	Consistently delivered retail sales results that exceeded goal expectations and store profit goals. Participated retail sales team training. •	Developed a reputation for completing events on-time, accurately, and cost effectively.•	Ensure first class sales training learning solutions focused on building the knowledge/skills/abilities of each employee to allow full contribution of each team member to deliver outstanding sales performance.•	Proficient in MS Word, MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint/Outlook, and several in-house sales systems; adapts quickly to business/operational change.•	Motivated team leader, insist on attention to details and ongoing training, motivate team members to exceed goals and objectives, and give suggestions when and where appropriate.•	Often called upon to study new situations and provide feedback to store manager and general manager. •	Known to reach and exceed sales revenue targets and stretch goals securing results.
• Generated and maintained clear and consistent communications with project interest principals, including updates on deliverables from discovery to go-live. • Generated and increased vendor participation by 8%, and created promotional tools generating 10K in revenue in a one day event. Designed and developed new marketing and branding designs. • Monitored the market and negotiated vendor contracts. • Managed online web presence, expanded social media platforms across Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Flickr, which caused a rise in event satisfaction, customer engagement, and expanded social media platforms for clients.• Supervised and coordinated marketing projects and event staff to produce projects during time-sensitive schedules. • Assisted with the planning, organizing and execution of creative projects including contracts and client interactions. • Executed strategic campaigns for packaging, product design, marketing and events from conception through completion.
SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (CONTRACTING CONSULTANT) at LINKED ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS LLC.
Company website: www.belkin.com Contributions of being the Senior Mechanical Engineer and Manufacturing Engineer on the mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering team working on Belkin's various product lines including portable audio recording products within the Innovation Design Group (IDG) for ease of manufacturing, from concept to production release on or ahead of schedule and within very aggressive consumer project budgets and very low costs, further contributions included all phases of DVT, EVT, PVT product testing along with interfacing directly with different Belkin business unit teams which included industrial designers, program and product managers along with complete "Hands-on" support of sustaining products including program/project/product engineering management, manufacturing engineering with development, interface and management of Belkin's multiple offshore factory/supplier OEM/ODM contract manufacturing sites in Asia.
Company website: www.ittcannon.com Contributions of being the Senior Product Design Engineer with complete "Hands-on" mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering included working on new product development and product design along with support of sustaining products including program/project/product engineering management of multiple programs in the infocom product group (IPG), further contributions including included complete product design, engineering and packaging of cables, connectors and PC Cards (PCMCIA) for ease of manufacturing, on or ahead of schedule and within budget which also included factory/supplier development, interface and management of multiple manufacturing sites worldwide.
Company website: www.harman.com Contributions of being the Senior Mechanical Design Engineer and Manufacturing Engineer with complete "Hands-on" mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering included working on new product development and product design of loudspeaker products along with support of sustaining products including program/project/product engineering management of JBL, JBL Professional, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Harman Multimedia, Digitech, DOD, Johnson Amplification brands in Harman Consumer Group (HCG), further contributions included all phases of DVT, EVT, PVT product testing along with complete speaker box design, packaging, transducer and tweeter development which also included factory/supplier development, interface and management of multiple offshore OEM/ODM contract manufacturing sites in Asia and worldwide.
Company website: www.samsung.com Contributions of being the Senior Mechanical Engineer and Manufacturing Engineer with complete "Hands-on" mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering included working on new product development and product design along with support of sustaining products including program/project/product engineering management of multiple programs in the mechanical development group, further contributions included complete computer system packaging for desktop, server, mobile and multimedia audio recording products, headphone and loudspeaker products and all phases of DVT, EVT, PVT product testing which also included factory/supplier development, interface and management of multiple offshore OEM/ODM contract manufacturing sites in Asia and worldwide.
Intern for a startup using wearable technologies.
Build OS for wearable technology for use by the USAF .
Host and record business meetings using Skype conferencing services.
Work with Department heads from Bowie State University Computer Science Dept for programming code required for projects.
Parse GPS data for autonomous robotics.
Experienced Mechanical Engineer with more than thirteen years experience in test support, project/program management, product design, engineering and drafting. I have experience in effectively training personnel and improving processes as well as excellent time-management and written and verbal skills.
During the second tour at BAE, I was assigned to the Turret Structures group to work on design and integration for the Army's GCV armored vehicle. The conceptual models were created using Pro/E (Pro/Engineer) software and its various modules. Pro/E and ProductView were utilized to check vehicle sub-system integration and assembly. Several of my assigned tasks required Pro/Mechanica to perform preliminary analysis on parts and assemblies. I prepared the data and review packages for the customers and internal program management. When not designing the systems for the Turret Structure, I was assigned to engineer a highly restrictive, low maintenance bearing system, which caused several iterations of analysis before arriving at a solution. This system was finally produced as a test asset.
I was involved in designing and engineering of various chassis' for R&D and production armored track and wheeled vehicles for each military branch. The vehicle programs ranged from concept to a final assembled, test vehicle supplied to the customer. The conceptual structures were created using Pro/E software and its various modules. Pro/E and ProductView were used to check vehicle sub-system integration prior to final assembly. The iterative design process involved taking the model load analysis from the Simulations group and incorporating changes based on their results in order to meet stringent customer requirements. During this period, I was assigned the lead engineer role of the Structures group, which involved management of sub-systems, resourcing and schedules. As the Lead Engineer, coordination across teams and sub-contracts was critical in leading to fewer assembly/manufacturing issues during the builds. I prepared the data and review packages for the customers and internal program management.


Does anyone know how the pay works? I know you either start off as GS5/7/9, but what if you make more than a 9 and have a masters? Do they try to match your salary or do you have to take a paycut.
Have you already applied? If so you will receive a rating that will determine what grades you qualify for based on experience and/or education.
Typically a masters degree will qualify one to EOD as a GS 9. If you do not work for the federal government it is not very likely that you will receive any pay matching.
Anyone got any tips on how to deal with medical? I broke my arm as a kid. They requested I get seen and had the forms filled out. The forms want medical records, nature of injury, exact diagnosis etc. I lived in a different state, and I called them and they don't have the records because they only keep them for 7 years, and it has been almost 15 years.
I had the surgery when I was 12 to fix a fracture in my arm. I have no issues with it and played sports afterwards throughout high school. I lift weights and play hockey. My doctor said he would clear me for the forms that say he thinks I can do the job, which ask "in his opinion". In his opinion I can handle a firearm, do pullups, defensive tactics, etc. The first few forms ask about the actual injury, rehab, etc., and he doesn't feel comfortable feeling these out (understandable, he wasn't my doc then). I called the med people and they said I need to have them all filled out. The lady seemed very annoyed with me about this even after I explained my situation. She asked why my parents didn't keep that information for example.
Who is going to sign off on that I can do those things based on an injury they can't see, didn't treat, and are literally taking my word about? Stuck in a feedback loop, does anyone have any advice?
edit - Also annoyed because the doc who did my medical physical said that everyone was fine and she messed around with my arm a bit just to be sure. I guess the medical person at the hiring center overruled her simply because it said surgery.
If I was in your spot, I'd have an random doctor just fill it out for me.
Agreed. Just have another doctor clear you. Then you may have to write a self statement saying this hasn't affected me in X Y Z. And you can get a statement from your old doctor stating we don't have the records we toss them after x amount of time. They just want to cover themselves. Reassure them and you'll be okay.
Hey all - I accepted Sumas Washington. EOD June 17 - academy 7/1-11/5. I'm excited.
Anyone have any idea what the academy is like for those of us who haven't been there? Weekends off? Federal holidays off while at the academy? I'm prior law and went through 6 months training but I feel like FLETC is going to be different then a full blown military like academy but.... I could be totally wrong!
When do we get our firearm!? =D Sad to say I don't even know what CBP carries lol. Smh. Oh well.
Last edited by Nextrunnerup; 03-24-2019, 09:44 PM.
Congrats dude. What announcement are you if you don't mind me asking?
The H&K is in the process of being replaced by an as-of-yet unannounced 9MM. You will be issued your gun at the academy. After graduation, it becomes your anchor.
Standard academies run with weekends and federal holidays off.
Last edited by merlin436; 03-25-2019, 05:54 AM.
did u interview in chicago on june 6?
I am looking for some feedback. I am in 19-2 preemployeement process. I have my CASS app. at 38% complete. My E-Qip has been released to OPR, Medical is completed, Fitness is completed. I have 3 green check marks. I am waiting to have my SI scheduled. Is this the normal process this all started in December of 2018.
I am aware with the government shutdown there has been a back log with open applications. I hope the process continues fairly quickly.
19-4 here. Completed SI last week, green check mark. Did medical and EQIP and haven't heard back about them.
It's all different depending on who has your application and is processing it. My SI was the first thing scheduled, even before my medical did. And I'm also at 38% except my medical hasn't been cleared yet. They informed me that there was a backlog for that, even though it wasn't for you.
That's interesting - my medical was the first thing to go green. I'm sure there's so many variables, the more I learn I realize there's no point in understanding the process.
Question on process, if you pass the poly how long is the process looking after that?
Hey man! I'm 18-2. So far no FL available(when I received the call) . I also wanted to see to relocate there :/ but things can change.
There's 2 of us starting in Miami Seaport in May, but we're able to get it due to our VRA rating. It wasn't on my initial list. They had to email headquarters.
So after almost 6 months since my Initial Medical, I get an email this morning at 0831 stating I'm on Med Review. Let the fun begin.
Just curious if you disclosed or had any medical condiotions in the past? I took my medical early 12/18 and it's still pending for nurses review and I have no medical history with good vision and hearing according to the nurse and doctor where I took my medical.
Last edited by David1984; 03-25-2019, 11:40 AM.
David1984, I listed a prior injury from when I was a child. As an old man, I've come to find out that I have arthritis from it. So they flagged the arthritis, now I have to find an Ortho doc, who can preform the tests they want done and fill out the paper work.
David1984, You're welcome, and they can be either really backed up with applicants like they claim, or they're placing an priority on certain announcements i.e. DH, BP, or their new hiring initiative. Either way they'll let you know.
Are you VRA,DH or regular?
So after 19 months in the process, they have said they have found me unsuitable for the position but did not tell me why. End of the road for me.
Hal29, sorry to hear that! Hopefully you get some answers.
Did you get an email or find out on CASS?
What?! Oh man I'm sorry brother!
Nooo! Man I've been following your process. I'm so sorry to hear that, you seemed so dedicated and really sounded like you'd be a great addition to the agency. did they just send you an email or did they call?
Hi all. i just have question need to clear it out. my question is if i on dept on credit card which is around $500 and i am doing payment for my lasik which is $3k. my credit score is very good. Do these stuffs affect me for being DQ ?
do you guys think the credit score is the most concern ?
I think I read back credit score can have a negative impact - normally bad debt etc are the causes. If that's all you owe I'd imagine yours isn't that bad.
why would i be able to login and show 63% if I'm unsuitable? Why would it say pending?
raudy06 I found out through email.
Hi Hal29, would you be able to share the reason? Have passed my poly and I'm in the same situations, just waiting on the background.
Hal29 I'm really sorry for that result bro. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I saw you mentioned before that you were denied a provisional clearance when you asked about it? Could that be a sign of anything?
eikichi10 I was denied provisional clearance as well when I asked about it. But a month later my BI turned green.
Gotta ask anyone with a record actually get hired on? I'll be honest when I applied I had a dui pleaded down to reckless driving on my record. It's since then been expunged. Happened at age 23. I'm 25 now. I've been up front with it on the eqip, structural interview, the polygraph and with my background investigator. That's only thing on me background wise, passed everything so far. I'm just wondering am I hoping for something that won't happen since that was on my record at time of applying? I don't see too many ppl just openly say they have anything on this forum.
JDalhoff I hear you bro, I want to move to SEA too, I'm sick of Florida and the weather... I want a change ... I was just gonna move but this process kind of hold me back. I want a result of this long process before making decision.
Reckless driving didn't affect some people I know. As well as prior drug use. As long as you're completely honest, you should be okay.
Jo.lopz, not completely true. I mean its amazing on some peoples background and all the stuff that was done and still get through. But honesty doesn't always ring true. Because of a student loan I was found unsuitable, then told to reapply. Then Case manager said to submit all documented proof. Couldn't ask that during the initial background. Oh well.
Had my polygraph today, examiner mentioned I may need to take a 2nd polygraph. Anyone know the turnaround time for a 2nd one to be scheduled? Also, is the 2nd polygraph the whole exam like the first or just the issues in question?
Hopefully it is quick! Keep us informed, brotherman.
My examiner told me the same thing that I might have to come back to do another but only the part he thought I messed up. But After couple of weeks it went green. Did he/she told you that you have passed?
Just got an email today from the polygraph examiner, I passed. Any idea how long until I get a call from the BI or Drug test?
Congrats Jam, overall how'd you feel about the poly process?
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Dear Care and Feeding: My Dog Menaced the Kids Downstairs. What Can I Do?
Should We Ask for Consent Before Kissing Our Kids Good Night?
In March I got married for the first time and became a stepmom to a 13-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl. I do not have any children of my own, but these kids are mine now. My challenge is with the 13-year-old. He is age-appropriate in every way—all he wants to do is sleep and play video games. I worry about how much is too much. My husband and I were going to impose some pretty strict digital media rules, but my sister, who has raised three very good boys, talked me out of them, because playing games and sleeping in is normal for a boy his age. So I have decided that during school, as long his homework is done and he goes to bed on time, there are no restrictions. (We do make him do one "active" thing after school each week: tennis or baseball depending on the season, which he hates but he does it.) On weekends I let him play and sleep pretty much as he wants to, unless we have a family activity the next day—then the gaming needs to go off by 11:15 p.m. My worry is about the long breaks and summer. I don't think it is healthy for him to stay up till 4 in the morning playing games and then sleeping until 4 in the afternoon.


A Little Something To Kick-start Your Fall Shopping Spree.
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