| Comment Number: | OL-10505825 |
| Received: | 3/11/2005 8:46:16 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:
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment Docket Number xxxx-xxxx Title National Security Personnel System Long Title National Security Personnel System CFR Citation 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901 Published Info February 14, 2005 Gentlemen: In short, I am a civilian working for the USACOE. My background includes 30 years plus as as a professional engineer working for a private consultant before accepting a position with a government agency after being RIFed in 2002 due to the economy. Prior to accepting my first position with the DOD I strongly considered retirement; I was financially secure, debts paid and kids were all but gone out of the house. I made the decision not to retire based in part that I considered my self still a viable part of the work force and that I could offer the benefit of my background and experience to a government agency that would offer me a position. I was never a member of the uniformed service, I never attempted to enlist nor was I drafted; I elected to prusue my professsional education and was fortunate to have completed it successfully. I am as much a supporter of the policies of this country now as I was during my college days when the war in Nam was was dividing the the young people of the country at that time. If called to serve, I would have without reluctance as did my dad during WW2. With that being said I wish to express concern in regard to the subject issue. I am a firm believer in accountability of "both" employees as well as their supervisors. What I have seen during my now almost 2.5 years working for the DOD is that a considerable amount of effort is expended by "management" in efforts to make the job of manageing easier and in some respects a source of things to do to justify the position that they hold. First of all, management is necessary to focus the efforts of the less experienced workforce, however civilian management as it exists in the immediate agency that employs me is lacking the skills I believe are necessary to adequately guide a work force in the accomplishmnet of it mission. Both management and non-management people have strengths and weaknesses, however it is my experience that the management people to which I report lack core skills in leadership; they may know the rules, in most they posess a some degree of technical ability but in just about all cases they lack the ability to lead and command respect from those in their charge. Even though a management position is obtained by way of a competative appointment, it is my belief that some gained their position by way of favoritism and as such lack vital managerial skills. If the subject issues are implemented I request that the individuals who are at least two tiers below a manager have a more significant input into the performance rating to the respective manager than the management level immediately above the management position in question. As a professional with the majority of my experience in a civilian role, I would also like to see a more concerted effort by government level management in utilizing the skills offered by experienced civilian work force members currently working in a government position. We are not a stupid as we are in some cases made out to be and in most cases can offer skills in support of a mission other than tasks of the immediate position. Thanks for the opportunity to provide input into the pending issue. Regards.