Comment Number: 05-02582-EREG-239-d7391-c32384
Received: 3/16/2005 8:00:00 AM
Subject: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment
Title: National Security Personnel System
CFR Citation: 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901
No Attachments

Comments:

We federal employees have supported our country and its war-fighters through several recent wars, earning citations for excellence. Now we need the Secretary of Defense imposing more controls to enhance National Security? At what price is this security?

We are not in the military although many of us are veterans. We are dedicated and loyal civilians who choose to support our country in Civil Service. We dont need to be compelled but we do deserve to have our livelihood protected. Weve had that in the current Civil Service system.

The sweeping new authorities claimed by the Secretary of Defense diminish our rights, increase our unease, can foster instability and negatively impact our performance.

As I understand the proposed system, our compensation, advancement and assignments will be dependent upon variables subject to interpretation and vulnerable to biases. In many instances our redress for decisions made on the basis of considerations other than merit are eliminated. So, in a nutshell, we federal workers are losing more rights and protection. We are more vulnerable. How does this enhance National Security when the workforce that supports the essential missions of the country is vulnerable, afraid to make the independent, unbiased decisions that are right if politically unpopular?

Where are the checks and balances the Constitution designed into our Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches? Should not the citizen-worker be supported and unhampered in his/her effort to support the country and its war-fighters!