| Comment Number: | OL-10507446 |
| Received: | 3/14/2005 11:09:36 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:
I THINK THIS IS THE LATEST OF MANY BAD DECISIONS REGARDING FEDERAL EMPOLYEES OF LATE. I HAVE WORKED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FOR 16 YEARS, BUT I WAS 39 YEARS OLD WHEN I STARTED. I ENTERED THE WORKFORCE WITH A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION AND A YEAR OF TECHNICAL SCHOOL. IT TOOK ME 13 YEARS TO GET MY FIRST PROMOTION (FROM GS-5 TO GS-7). THAT WAS PARTLY DUE TO ENTERING INTO THE ADMINISTRATIVE (SECRETARIAL) FIELD AND NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND A WAY TO GET OUT OF IT. I HAVE EARNED AN EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW EVERY SINGLE YEAR. THERE IS ANOTHER PERSON IN MY WORKGROUP WHO ENTERED THE WORKFORCE ONE YEAR EARLIER THAN ME WITH THE SAME EDUCATIONAL LEVEL, SAME GS LEVEL, BUT SHE IS 10 YEARS YOUNGER. SHE IS NOW A GS-12 BECAUSE THE MANAGERS CHOSE HER TO BE TRAINED FOR THE IT FIELD AND PAID FOR HER TO GO TO COLLEGE. THE LAST TIME THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MADE A MAJOR CHANGE WAS WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM. THAT IS THE SYSTEM I'M UNDER. SINCE I WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET ON THE PROMOTION BANDWAGON, MY RETIREMENT PICTURE LOOKS VERY GRIM. MY RETIRE BENEFITS WILL PROBABLY BE CLOSE TO THE PROVERTY LEVEL (EVEN THOUGH I PUT THE MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE OF MY $38,000.00 A YEAR SALARY INTO THE THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN). AT THE RATE OUR BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD INSURANCE GOES UP EVERY YEAR, BY THE TIME I RETIRE MY GOVT RETIREMENT CHECK MAY NOT EVEN BE ENOUGH TO COVER THE PREIMUM. I READ SOME COMMENTS OTHER EMPLOYEES HAVE MADE, BUT I HAVEN'T READ A SINGLE ONE ON A POSITIVE NOTE. I DON'T SEE HOW THEY CAN BE ANY. FOR SOMEONE IN MY POSITION, THIS CANNOT BE A POSITIVE THING. THE SAME EMPLOYEES WHOM HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FOR EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS AND PROMOTIONS, WILL BE THE SAME ONES WHO BENEFIT FROM THIS NEW PLAN. SOMEONE LIKE ME WOULD PROBABLY BE A LOT WORSE OFF. ALL I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RELY ON ALL THESE YEARS IS THE ACROSS THE BOARD PAY RAISES. I CAN'T BE THE ONLY ONE IN THIS SITUATION. BUT YOU KNOW HOW THESE THINGS GO. I BELIEVE REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY NEGATIVE COMMENTS ARE RECEIVED, NOTHING WILL CHANGE. LOOKS LIKE THE SAYING I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IS TRUE, "WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO BE BAD FOR US"