David,

Part of your problem is your government contract... The government obviously has no idea how to properly use a computer or judge someone on it. I have also been a government contractor and they place a lot of emphasis on a degree and not on who can do the job...( which might explain a lot ).

Since I left the government service ( military and civilian dod ) my salary has tripled.

Getting a degree is extremely beneficial, especially early in a career and may come in handy after the year 2000 when there are suddenly 1000's of unemployed y2k programmers pused back into the market. The degree opens up doors and you don't have to spend the first 15 minutes of an interview justifying your ability with:

- I learned programming 6 years ago
- self taught
- I read books

most companies don't have time to waste with hacks and even though it isn't justifyed or true ( self-taught people are the best, IMHO ), that is what corporate IS and HR personnell will think the first time they read your resume, making it that much harder. A degree opens up doors more easily, thats all.

It sounds to me you are way past that stage, stand on your merits and get out of the government contracting nonsense. Offer sample applications you've written etc, most people are so desperate for Fox help ( like cobol, if you can spell it you are hired, if not We will teach you ). I know of a company here in Kansas City that was recruiting and relocating people from anywhere in the country for work.

Good Luck
Robert Horkay