As for my dalliance at the ATF, it was, frankly, about three years worth of time in which I had not yet developed much of a political conscience.
Actually working for the government has helped shape much of my opinions of the government, and in most ways, for the poorer.
Politics aside, I would have a very hard time convincing myself to work for any of the agencies again, if only because I can't bear to watch tens of millions of dollars evaporate when someone's opinion changes, or an election year happens, or the government decides that, despite having gotten to year 4 of the project with all milestones succeeding, they've neglected to budget for years 5+.
attuned is, I think, the word you're looking for.
As for my dalliance at the ATF, it was, frankly, about three years worth of time in which I had not yet developed much of a political conscience.
Actually working for the government has helped shape much of my opinions of the government, and in most ways, for the poorer.
Politics aside, I would have a very hard time convincing myself to work for any of the agencies again, if only because I can't bear to watch tens of millions of dollars evaporate when someone's opinion changes, or an election year happens, or the government decides that, despite having gotten to year 4 of the project with all milestones succeeding, they've neglected to budget for years 5+.