| Comment Number: | OL-10509879 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 8:15:58 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:
Using my judgment having years of experience in software design, development, and testing; and judging by the comments submitted up to this forum, I cannot see how NSPS can and should be deployed. Aside from the fact that NSPS, if implemented as currently written, is contrary to every ethical, constitutional, and moral principle that makes this country great and for which brave men and women have shed blood and endured so much; this system seemingly breaks every basic rule of effective systems development; namely: 1. Determine a clear and comprehensive mission need. 2. Develop clear, concise, comprehensive, and detailed requirements to ensure system effectiveness while avoiding ambiguity (meaning the system must work as specified and be user/customer friendly). 3. Explore ALL viable options for fulfilling the requirements (new build vs. enhancement of an existing system). 4. Comprehensive and exhaustive testing (from developmental to operational testing, including user/customer acceptance testing). One does not need to be a rocket scientist (and that is certainly true of the group that developed NSPS) or have experience in systems/software development to figure out that NSPS is doomed to failure. That is an objective outlook, but you cannot ignore the emotional or human factor. It should be obvious to anyone with an IQ higher than that of a rutabaga, that there is a serious malfunction when 90% or more of the comments are vehemently opposed to this system or are legitimately concerned about its success. What impresses me most are the thoughtful and impassioned comments from those opposed to NSPS. I have seen a wide range of persons opposing this from GS-5's to retired Lt. Colonels to GS-13's and 14's, including minorities (whom I think will pay a dear price, because equal protection and opportunity will be eviscerated under NSPS), and union members and non union members alike (including many management personnel). I fail to see how NSPS will serve National Security. If anything, I think National Security will be dealt a devastating blow. Morale will be absolutely shattered, and the potential exists of a mass exodus of DoD's most experienced, dedicated, and seasoned employees. How can morale flourish when DoD workers know that the Nation and the Department they so valiantly served for so many years is poised to sink a dagger deep into their backs? From what I have encountered in this forum as well as my everyday contacts, at least 90% are opposed to this fiasco. As I see it, the only ones that appear to be in favor are those that have greedy or evil intentions (like upper management salivating at the prospect of thousands of new openings for their family, friends, or their favorite contractor; or contractors seeing more opportunities for national security/war profiteering). DoD workers, we must stand united and fight this with every fiber of our being. If we don't, the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Halliburton/Corporate 'a**es of evil' will shove this down our throat without so much as giving a second thought to us or the unions. Your rights (like a fair and effective appeals process, effective union representation, fair and equal treatment for all, and protection from discrimination, nepotism, and favoritism) will be lost in the name of 'national security'. Remember the quotation by Edmond Burke: 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.' So, to my fellow DoD workers and other moral and decent people, I say stand up and fight this evil plan and this evil administration because no one else (and certainly not the greedy contractor/corporate special interests) will.