[antlers]

Maybe he considers you one of "the best and the brightest"!
It might be challenging and exciting. They've beefed up the retirement system...you can work for em' without making a lifetime commitment of it. Then again, there's always the red tape, resource instability due to changing Administration and Congressional priorities, and targeting of agencies, programs, and individuals for attack by political figures are still day-to-day realities.
BTW, that post by Gypsy was damn good stuff!
Whatever you choose...good luck!