Of course I called the detailer (the person who matches jobs with people) and considered all of my other options first. Yes, it's better for me and for the command to do it 18 months away from my transfer date.
And no,I'm not going to change my mind. If for some reason I do, tough cookies. I asked for it, I got it.
Gah. If I'd figured it all out a month ago, I could have put it in myself and saved some trouble.
I worry that the new job just isn't used to people planning that far ahead.