| Comment Number: | OL-10503729 |
| Received: | 3/7/2005 1:40:55 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:
What a step backwards! Now we are going to the "Good Ol' Boy" system that worked so well in the South 50 years ago huh? I am an addictions therapist, a new hire with 25 + years in the field. I work with the military personnel af Ft. Bliss in El Paso. We are going to receive up to 20,000 new troops here this year. To provide alcohol/drug/mental health treatment, you need 2 things in place to service these new personnel: 1) a qualified dedicated staff (which is in place) and 2) retainment of that staff. I have heard the Army standard is 1 therapist for every 2000 troups. Obviously, more staff is required. Back to the point of this letter. The requirements of a Masters in Social Work or Clinical Psychology plus Licensure by the State to practice plus Certification as a Alcohol and Drug Counselor. These positions are very difficult to fill and take long periods of time to process and train new personnel. To limit promotional possibilities to one of "favoritism" is a disgrace. I work for the hospital and all patients goals of treatment must be measureable. The changes to the present pay structure do not present "measureable goals" for promotion. The military treats it soldiers with dignity by quantifying what they must achieve to qualify for promotion. Why not give the civilians (who present quality services to these soldiers) the same consideration?