[wikwocket]

It is 100% reasonable to quit for a new job.

Normally I would tell anyone to look for a new job, even if the only problem was that their work was unfulfilling. Life is too short to spend half your waking hours doing something that drives you nuts.

But in your case, it sounds like you are young, bright, technically skilled, living in a big city with tons of leads, with a solid work history, and a security clearance. You should be making big bucks at a software job that you love doing. I don't know about DC, but in Chicago companies (like mine) go to great lengths to get people like that to even interview, let alone have a shot at hiring them before they get another offer.

If your life has "blown up," then you should probably proceed with caution, and stick with the mind-numbing job until you have another offer. But absolutely look around and start networking. Read the hiring and job-related threads here, or post an Ask HN if you need help with that.

But absolutely start looking. This is the best hiring market for software people in the history of ever.

[wouldbesmooth]

I am trying to get into the start-up scene (or at least it is a consideration). Recently a friend came up with (what I consider) to be a decent idea for a start-up. Working on that idea and fleshing on the business and technical aspects, I forgot how good it feels to be completely absorbed by something and love every minute of it. Definitely will keep up with the threads

[wikwocket]

Definitely pursue what you love doing, but I would only recommend starting a new company from scratch if you have some industry expertise, as well as some savings or other means to support yourself for a year or more.

If you want the startup vibe, but want a much more stable life, look for a startup with 10-20 employees, and profits.

And don't rule out getting a "normal" software job. Market rates, regular paycheck every 2 weeks, bigger team, plenty of resources, and you still have the potential to find a "startup-y" culture and some fun projects if you look around enough. Plus you can stash half your salary to fund a war chest for later entrepreneurship.