Comment Number: EM-001368
Received: 2/23/2005 4:41:09 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 23, 2005 DoD NSPS Comments , DoD NSPS Comments: I write to express my concerns about changes to work rules in the Department of Defense (DoD). The proposed regulations, known as the National Security Personnel System (NSPS), were printed in the Federal Register on February 14, 2005. This message will be sent to both DoD and my representatives in Congress. I have worked for DoD for over 30 years. I have a First Class Radio Operators Radio License with RADAR endorsement, I am a "degreed" Engineer, with a minor in Mathematics. Statistical and Factual Research, Analysis, and Reporting is what I do for an avocation. I am eligible to retire, at any time; however, I enjoy my avocation. Take note that I do not consider what I do to be a vocation. It "should" be apparent, to even the most neophyte, that I am not the "normal" Federal Civilian "Slug" that the NSPS attempts to categorize. I am angry that these proposals are "one-size-fits-all," and appear to treat the civilian employees, who help defend our country, as the enemy. Take note that I did not include the contractor, who is "profit-driven," and will take any action to improve his/her profit. Most "civilian" employees work hard and are committed to the work they perform as being "Value-Added." This system, as designed, will change the way "workers" are paid, evaluated, promoted, fired, scheduled, and treated by their "high-performer" associates. I foresee the pay-band as having a "Pecking Order." These rules are "Utopian" in concept. The rules ignore the "darker-side" of human nature. A privileged few, given "Absolute Power," have the unchecked potential to create a system in which, those designated, who create "high-performers" will be influenced by image, gifts, and cronyism. The probability is to exhibit favoritism, and nepotism. Serving the civil concerns of the American people will be a "philosophy," scholarly is concept, but extremely short on execution. Annual Pay Raises Based on a Clearly Subjective Performance Review: "The way we work is the way we train" Comment: Does this imply that the Department of Defense will actually be offering "Skill Set" training to employees that wish to exhibit "Nobles Oblige?" "High performers and Low performers are paid alike" Comment: Darlene Druyan is a "Brilliant" example of a Department of Defense "High Performer," who displayed "important Core Principles." Unfortunately, she is not unique, just an example. MGEN (Ret) Maleshenko, when he was "Director of Defense Contract Management Command," implemented the Risk Assessment Management Program (RAMP), a pillar of the Darlene Druyan methodology, retired, subsequently hired by Boeing, then blasted the RAMP assessments as "baseless." The National Contract Managers Association (NCMA) makes lite of Public Law and the Standards of Conduct. Ethical considerations (The Mike Wallace Test) are not even a consideration. "Mission Driven System" Comment: It appears that padding the "Profit Margin" of Government contractors is more significant than supporting the "declared" goal of "National Security" by fielding "proven mission-essential life-support equipment. FEDERA LREGISTER/Vol 70, No. 29/Monday, February 14, 2005, Page 7560, "...an assessment of an employees contribution to the mission, ...etc." Comment: The reason that DCMA has the 3 point evaluation system, that is currently in place, is that it requires no "assessment, or written justification" because you can't get higher than a 3; therefore, you can't get higher than a 3, because a written justification. "The country's National Security demands a highly responsive civilian workforce," A.K.A.: Civilian Deployment Comment: This author believes that the "Operative" word is "Civilian." Under NSPS, with no justification, other than the nebulous umbrella of: "NATIONAL SECURITY," Federal civilian employees could be assigned anywhere in the world, even into a war zone, with little or no notice. Under a "similar" banner: 1. Rome enslaved complete cultures, defiled academia, religion, culture, and made war on art and statuary. 2. The Japanese enslaved, and butchered their conquests, during World War 2. 3. Stallin purged the "undesireables" from "Mother Russia." 4. Hitler enslaved and systematically slaughtered 6.5 million Jews. 5. What does the NSPS have in store? It is ironic. America is at war. We are fighting for democracy abroad, I beleve, because, "A free and democratic world is good for America's "National Security"." The NSPS appears offer the probability to be counter to the declared "cause celeb." Sincerely,