| Comment Number: | EM-001360 |
| Received: | 2/24/2005 1:59:52 PM |
| 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:
February 24, 2005 DoD NSPS Comments , DoD NSPS Comments: I have two questions for which I have never received satisfactory responses. 1) If our current personnel system is so bad, how is it that we have become the only superpower in the world? 2) Since our military operates under similar rules in most cases (such as similar pay for similar grades and regular step increases and many other similarities), how is it that they have become the world?s best military? In reality, the glaring truth is that the U.S has the world?s best system. We should be proud of it and even promoting it to other country?s, much the way we promote our Constitution and our way of life. In fact, there is no evidence that our system does not work extremely well. We won the battle in Iraq with the current system. We have al Qaeda on the run, for the most part, with the current system. To use 9/11 as a reason to change the system is ludicrous. Regardless of the existing personnel system, there is no way it would have had any impact on that event. The development of the new Homeland Security Department might help stop future events of that type, although it is not likely to stop all of them. Actually, NSPS is not likely to have any positive impact on its operation, quite possibly, just the opposite over the long run. The current system has created a workforce of personnel who are extremely dedicated to their jobs, because of the very programs that are in place today. Any examples you can use to the contrary clearly are the exceptions to the rule and not the norm and are exaggerated completely out of context. The new system will create an atmosphere of cronyism and favoritism, which has been nearly eliminated under the current system. Any favoritism that is currently perceived still remains one of the biggest personnel complaints. We have an awards program, as well as a rating program, which, if used properly, identifies and rewards the best performers. We work as a team and petty personal goals and cutthroat actions are minimized. Again, these programs and many others are similar to the military in many ways. Does anyone believe our military system is not the best? NSPS puts too much power in the hands of first line supervisors who are often ill-trained or not fully competent to do their job (comment not directed at any individual). Personality conflicts can not be easily resolved and good people will be hurt. The goal to train supervisors exceptionally well sounds good, but when it comes to budget crunches, training of this sort is always the first to fall by the wayside. Why? Because it is always much more costly than anticipated. I cannot justify a change to our current personnel system. It is the best in the world. It has proven to be the best in the world and it will continue to be the best in the world if it is left alone to function successfully the way it has for many years. Sincerely,