Posted on 12/15/2007 2:24:28 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2007 – Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter and Army Secretary Pete Geren sent letters to installation commanders Dec. 12 telling them to prepare for possible furloughs due to a lack of funding for the global war on terror.
The secretaries alerted commanders to prepare to scale down operations if necessary.
“Unless Congress provides supplemental funding for war-related operations, it will become necessary for you to furlough civilian employees at your base or installation,” Winter wrote. “You must follow all applicable legal, regulatory, and labor relations contractual requirements pertaining to furloughs, including requirements for advance notification to those affected.”
Winter directed Navy and Marine commanders to complete the detailed planning necessary to reduce operations at their facility and furlough certain employees if and when directed. He noted that no furloughs are authorized at this time.
He added that Marine Corps operations and maintenance funding likely is expected to remain sufficient until mid-March 2008.
“However, absent additional funding, you must be prepared to furlough employees paid directly by funds appropriated to Operation and Maintenance,” he wrote. “That is why you must begin planning immediately. The Commandant of the Marine Corps will provide additional implementation information as it becomes available.”
Winter vowed commitment to find a solution to the shortages. “I am personally committed to finding a solution to this problem,” he said. “We will do everything within our power to manage this most difficult of circumstances, and I remain hopeful for a solution.”
In his letter to Army commanders, Geren forecast that the Army’s operations and maintenance budget has sufficient funds to continue full operations until mid- to late-February.
“In late November, (Gen. Richard A. Cody, Army vice chief of staff) asked that you prepare plans to reduce operations due to the absence of (global war on terror) funding. I appreciate your prompt and thoughtful attention to our request,” Geren wrote. “Regrettably, our funding situation has not changed, so we must continue preparations for implementation of these plans.”
Geren said commanders soon will receive specific guidance through human resources channels on furlough notification procedures and engagement with any bargaining entities that may act on behalf of affected employees. Only civilians paid directly by funds appropriated to the Army’s operations and maintenance fund will be affected, he said.
The Army secretary said Cody will provide additional instructions on how to determine which employees are exempt from furlough. Geren said the standards for exemptions may not encompass the full breadth of employees identified as “mission essential” in contingency budget plans.
“I know you must have your full civilian workforce in place to accomplish your mission so we are taking these steps to implement a furlough as a last resort,” he continued. “I am committed to finding a solution to this problem and remain hopeful we will do so.”
In accordance with statutory provisions, the Defense Department is required to report potential furloughs within the Army, Marine Corps and combatant commands to Congress. The memoranda by Winter and Geren were issued in conjunction with a letter by Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England sent Dec. 7 to Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives.
“The furlough will negatively affect our ability to execute base operations and training activities,” England wrote. “More importantly, it will affect the critical support our civilian employees provide to our warfighters -- support which is key to our current operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq.”
England lamented the possibility that civilian furloughs and reduced military capabilities could result from budget shortfalls.
“While these actions will be detrimental to the nation, there are no other viable alternatives without additional Congressional funding,” he said. “Your support in providing these needed funds would be greatly appreciated.”
I know I shouldn’t think this way, but I hope every single state technician in Oregon gets laid off for a long long time.
A new generation of soldiers and sailors is going to learn the real meaning of KP.
And a new generation of soldiers is going to learn just how quickly their country can abandon them.
“And a new generation of soldiers is going to learn just how quickly their country can abandon them.”
And that pains me deeply. These loons in DC ought to have their butts stuffed into a transport and sent to the front lines for awhile.
Yes, the left is determined to destroy our military, and this is an ideal technique for the left since it simply requires them to do nothing.
Ah, yes. Just in time for the usuall Christmas cheer.
Maybe *thats* why all the Christmas parties at the Army command where I work were held this past week? Next week comes the Ax? Or at least the notification that *your* head is one of those on the chopping block.
Not me, I work under a contract that’s *funded* for two years - and has a pay to cancel clause.
We had early parties because about 1/2 the base is off to Bag-ram-a-langa-ding-dong..again. Talked with a young SSgt - this is his 4th time over and he volunteered to go.
The guy is a climate chicken, wanted to work outside in the warm/dry weather for the winter....the rest of us just shlub thru the drifts.
The last of the Ft Richardson folks got back last week - so this year, everyone IS home in time for Christmas - except the 53 KIA - May the Lord rest their souls and comfort the families.
Talk about endangering the troops! Those loons wouldn't be good for squat....maybe hunting for mines the old fashioned way, with a metal detector and bayonet.
Me either, mine is not funded through O&M funds. :) But we are having problems withe renewal. Unlikely to run all the wickets before the end of the year, which is also the end of the contract... we'll probably do a no cost extension, since we didn't spend all our labor $ this year anyway, two of us were out sick or whatever more than usual.
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