Thanks, guys. I appreciate it.
I do still have a good job, with work I (mostly) enjoy doing, with good benefits...which is why this was only a whine.
...but, yeah. Today I'm...well, not having fun, but...having my little pity party. I will let myself be like this for today. Tomorrow = vacation. Next week = vacation. Week after that...I will get my head on straight and fly right and go back to doing the best I can do, because that is upholding my values.
Question for the Void: would it be inappropriate to ask my branch chief (who was on the interview panel) what I need to be doing differently to get the promotion next time? Not, why didn't I get it this time (although that's going to be implied, on way or the other), but what can I do differently? I can't see pitfalls with that...but I've learned by now that I don't always come across as intended.