Originally Posted by Unregistered

Current climate is that even geo3 and geo4s are pushed to take on geo5 workloads. Paygrade doesn't matter. As long as you are deemed to be an old bird with enough youth in service, you are expected to take on higher responsibility.

Geo5a is for people who want to be HOT. If not, they should be on the SEO track taking KP roles. Once you hit the terminal paygrade, and don't intend to progress further, does it matter if you get a C or C-? You are not going to be promoted anyway.

Furthermore, the system is so top heavy, especially with reduced recruitment in the past 5 years. Quite a number of SEOs are asked to step down to free up space for others. It's only a matter of time when geo5a estab gets filled up.