Tuesday, November 26, 2013
19 Nov 13 - Garrison Spring Ball
Comment by GC: We are going to have a Garrison Spring Ball around April 2014. More to follow.
19 Nov 13 - Garrison-Wide Org Day
Comment by GC: We are looking at having a Garrison-wide Organization Day (like Division did with Marne Week). More to follow.
19 Nov 13 - Credit Hours
Qustion: Information on
Credit Hours?
Answer: USAG Policy Letter #12 provides key information on credit hours. Key takeaways are 24 hours can be accumulated and carried over but you will lose any excess not taken. You can utilize credit hours the same way as annual, sick, or comp time off. You can look further into credit hours via http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/work-schedules/fact-sheets/credit-hours-under-a-flexible-work-schedule/
Answer: USAG Policy Letter #12 provides key information on credit hours. Key takeaways are 24 hours can be accumulated and carried over but you will lose any excess not taken. You can utilize credit hours the same way as annual, sick, or comp time off. You can look further into credit hours via http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/work-schedules/fact-sheets/credit-hours-under-a-flexible-work-schedule/
19 Nov 13 - PT outside Bldg 624
Question: PT. Soldiers continuing to get in the way in the
parking lot outside Bldg 624! They
purposely sit on the ground stretching or are in formation directly in the way
of oncoming traffic of folks coming to work.
Answer: GCSM has spoken to them. He relays our comments to the Div CSM to pass down to the units. Suggest submitting ICE comments to Division and if enough comments are submitted, then maybe they will do something about it.
Answer: GCSM has spoken to them. He relays our comments to the Div CSM to pass down to the units. Suggest submitting ICE comments to Division and if enough comments are submitted, then maybe they will do something about it.
19 Nov 13 - Certifying Employees Time
Question: Can you please
inform directors at Staff Call to certify their employee’s time?
Answer: Directors will ensure time is certified at the prescribed deadline and ensure alternate certifiers are on record.
Answer: Directors will ensure time is certified at the prescribed deadline and ensure alternate certifiers are on record.
19 Nov 13 - Insurance
Question: Insurance -Are they going back to “Self plus 1” or
continue with the current family plan?
Answer: You will need to consult CPAC for the next Health Fair or inquire through the Federal Employee Health Benefits website as this continually develops.
Answer: You will need to consult CPAC for the next Health Fair or inquire through the Federal Employee Health Benefits website as this continually develops.
19 Nov 13 - Mentorship
Question: Mentorship. I don’t see much of it.
Answer: I agree. We should continue to share our knowledge with the younger workforce and help them to gain knowledge so that they can be in a position to move up when the older generation decide to retire. Goes back to counseling. When new employees come on board they should be given the workforce development plan. We need to identify the folks who have climbed their career path and make them mentors as they continue to progress.
Answer: I agree. We should continue to share our knowledge with the younger workforce and help them to gain knowledge so that they can be in a position to move up when the older generation decide to retire. Goes back to counseling. When new employees come on board they should be given the workforce development plan. We need to identify the folks who have climbed their career path and make them mentors as they continue to progress.
19 Nov 13 - Alternative Work Schedule
Question: Why can’t we
have an alternative work schedule? With
all the things that we no longer have (awards, time off, TDY, promotions) this
would at least be an incentive to the workforce.
Answer: The workforce has an opportunity to accrue time off through Flexible Work Schedules. Credit hours can be accumulated with supervisor approval where in turn the employee is eligible to take time off, similar to that of compressed work schedules many were accustomed to. Each Directorate must manage their individual workloads to determine feasibility.
Answer: The workforce has an opportunity to accrue time off through Flexible Work Schedules. Credit hours can be accumulated with supervisor approval where in turn the employee is eligible to take time off, similar to that of compressed work schedules many were accustomed to. Each Directorate must manage their individual workloads to determine feasibility.
19 Nov 13 - Budget
Question: What does the
budget look like?
Answer: From the IMCOM perspective, LTG Ferriter has already taken its cuts plus 12% across the board. All Division HQs will take a 20% cut, and DoD will take an additional 14% cut. IMCOM may not survive and may go away in a few years. If so, then we will become a FORSCOM Garrison (like we were in 04). The Army Personnel Budget will continue to reduce manpower. Special Duty Incentive Pay will be cut. Looking at privatizing facilities on installations like they did with lodging and housing. Commissary might be next. We will see a change in Jan/Feb if things don’t get fixed. Budget wisely and put money away in your savings and TSP. We can possibly be furloughed again in 2014.
-CPT Boards will drop to 70% acceptance rate
-O6-O9 will drop 30% with a RIF Board
-RIF / Promotion Board Combo
-Restructure Programs
-Training Battalion Cuts
-Redundant Services – Find Efficiency
Answer: From the IMCOM perspective, LTG Ferriter has already taken its cuts plus 12% across the board. All Division HQs will take a 20% cut, and DoD will take an additional 14% cut. IMCOM may not survive and may go away in a few years. If so, then we will become a FORSCOM Garrison (like we were in 04). The Army Personnel Budget will continue to reduce manpower. Special Duty Incentive Pay will be cut. Looking at privatizing facilities on installations like they did with lodging and housing. Commissary might be next. We will see a change in Jan/Feb if things don’t get fixed. Budget wisely and put money away in your savings and TSP. We can possibly be furloughed again in 2014.
-CPT Boards will drop to 70% acceptance rate
-O6-O9 will drop 30% with a RIF Board
-RIF / Promotion Board Combo
-Restructure Programs
-Training Battalion Cuts
-Redundant Services – Find Efficiency
19 Nov 13 - Off Limits List
Question: How does a company get on the "Off Limits" List?
Answer: Civilians/Soldiers with complaints go to SJA. When SJA sees numerous complaints for a specific business, they look into it further. The Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board (AFDCB) is chaired by the Director of Emergency Services. Companies have an opportunity to appear before the board and make their case. If they are already on the “Off Limits” list, they can petition the board to re-appear and show steps taken to improve their service. The “Off Limits” list is approved by the Senior Commander.
Answer: Civilians/Soldiers with complaints go to SJA. When SJA sees numerous complaints for a specific business, they look into it further. The Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board (AFDCB) is chaired by the Director of Emergency Services. Companies have an opportunity to appear before the board and make their case. If they are already on the “Off Limits” list, they can petition the board to re-appear and show steps taken to improve their service. The “Off Limits” list is approved by the Senior Commander.
19 Nov 13 - PoA CAPE Session
Question: Was there a Proffession of Arms CAPE Session at Fort Stewart the first week of Nov?
Answer:
GCSM: Yes, but it was offered to Soldiers only. 3rd ID paid for it.
GC: We will send this to the Workforce Development Program to check into availability and costs to bring to USAG.
GC: Initiatives (FEI) coming up. Might be beneficial with Professional of Arms folks.
Answer:
GCSM: Yes, but it was offered to Soldiers only. 3rd ID paid for it.
GC: We will send this to the Workforce Development Program to check into availability and costs to bring to USAG.
GC: Initiatives (FEI) coming up. Might be beneficial with Professional of Arms folks.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
28 Aug 13 - Management not visiting staff
Question: Management not visiting facilities/staff within their directorate.
Answer: All Division Chiefs are visiting their facilities on a regular basis as required. I have also asked that the FMWR Director ensures she visits the facilities and programs on a more consistent basis, rather than for issue-related concerns.
Answer: All Division Chiefs are visiting their facilities on a regular basis as required. I have also asked that the FMWR Director ensures she visits the facilities and programs on a more consistent basis, rather than for issue-related concerns.
28 Aug 13 - ICE being misused
Question: ICE is being misused.
Answer: ICE is sometimes misused by employees, customers, and others in an effort to submit wrongful information in an anonymous fashion. However, we've found this to be minimal as each comment is addressed by an ICE Manager as it is reviewed internal to the organization and continues all the way to the Senior Commander. ICE is a valuable tool to get direct feedback from our customers and we will continue to utilize this tool to evaluate our services. We can only hope that it's used properly.
Answer: ICE is sometimes misused by employees, customers, and others in an effort to submit wrongful information in an anonymous fashion. However, we've found this to be minimal as each comment is addressed by an ICE Manager as it is reviewed internal to the organization and continues all the way to the Senior Commander. ICE is a valuable tool to get direct feedback from our customers and we will continue to utilize this tool to evaluate our services. We can only hope that it's used properly.
28 Aug 13 - PRB
Question: PRB - is there a glitch in CPOC?
Answer: In regards to the Program Review Board (PRB), it takes upwards of 60-90 days to receive background documentation. Without full documentation, we cannot proceed in boarding an employee that has derogatory information. We at Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield are setting the pace with our practices and rates of return. Unfortunately it's a long process from start to finish but one that must receive the utmost attention when it comes to protecting our youth.
Answer: In regards to the Program Review Board (PRB), it takes upwards of 60-90 days to receive background documentation. Without full documentation, we cannot proceed in boarding an employee that has derogatory information. We at Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield are setting the pace with our practices and rates of return. Unfortunately it's a long process from start to finish but one that must receive the utmost attention when it comes to protecting our youth.
28 Aug 13 - Pay Raises
Question: People getting raisess while others are not. Folks are getting raises by accretion of duties, then new employees come on board and take the "extra duties" but the pay is not retroacted for the person who originally received the pay increase. (NF2 not being moved to NF3)
Answer: In order for an employee to have an upgrade in a NAF position, the position must undergo a desk audit by NAF CPAC. Positions are only upgraded if there is an accretion in the scope of responsibility, not just having duties added to the position. Specifics would have to be identified to research this allegation any further.
Answer: In order for an employee to have an upgrade in a NAF position, the position must undergo a desk audit by NAF CPAC. Positions are only upgraded if there is an accretion in the scope of responsibility, not just having duties added to the position. Specifics would have to be identified to research this allegation any further.
28 Aug 13 - Favoritism in MWR
Question: Favoritism/low morale/employee treatment/equality/awards. Supervisors not abiding by the same rules and playing favorites to staff that they like. Mentorship should be provided when asked. Supervisors talking at you and not to you. Constantly degrading staff - being cursed at and yelled at.
Answer: Supervisors are required to attend quarterly training sessions provided by myself where we focus on various topics current in the workforce. These forums are ways in which I stress the importance of developing our workforce and bettering our organization. I expect supervisors to display equality throughout and enforce organizational standards at all levels in an effort to better the organization as a whole.
Answer: Supervisors are required to attend quarterly training sessions provided by myself where we focus on various topics current in the workforce. These forums are ways in which I stress the importance of developing our workforce and bettering our organization. I expect supervisors to display equality throughout and enforce organizational standards at all levels in an effort to better the organization as a whole.
28 Aug 13 - Union Rep in MWR
Question: Not aware of Union Representative in MWR.
Answer: For your Union Stewart, please contact the local AFGE at 912-876-9494 where you can find your organization's representative.
Answer: For your Union Stewart, please contact the local AFGE at 912-876-9494 where you can find your organization's representative.
28 Aug 13 - Sponsored Marne Call
Question: Services being cut in DFMWR. Sponsored Marne Calls are a huge money maker for MWR and are paid for by sponsors. Why is this event being cancelled?
Answer: Sponsored Marne Calls have not been cancelled. We usually have an event once every 3-6 months. We are working on having another style of event that is more beneficial to the Soldiers, sponsors and Club Stewart. The goal of sponsorship is to provide events for the Soldier population to participate in events like Right Arm Night, and to create an environment that will foster camaraderie and improve future business at the locattion. Unfortunately, the current sponsored Marne Call attendees are predominately civilians, and have shown that they do not increase participation or revenue.
Answer: Sponsored Marne Calls have not been cancelled. We usually have an event once every 3-6 months. We are working on having another style of event that is more beneficial to the Soldiers, sponsors and Club Stewart. The goal of sponsorship is to provide events for the Soldier population to participate in events like Right Arm Night, and to create an environment that will foster camaraderie and improve future business at the locattion. Unfortunately, the current sponsored Marne Call attendees are predominately civilians, and have shown that they do not increase participation or revenue.
28 Aug 13 - FS Library
Question: Is the library on Fort Stewart being set up for failure? If so, shame on Garrison and MWR. If anyone bothered to come to the library and witness the number of Soldiers, Family Members, Retirees, and civilian employees who come in to use the computers, check out books, audio books, DVDs and children's books, they would be impressed. Evidently statistics mean nothing. Evidently no one cares that the Soldiers will have nowhere to go and don't bring up the Hinesville Library. Everyone knows that is a joke!
**Employee gave GC statistics for the past 5 months showing hourly traffic as well as circulation activity for the past 3 months along with comparisons from other installations.
**Request that the GC and GCSM please visit the library.
**FedLink has been shut down, hours of operation should be adjusted to accommodate folks that arrive after 1700. COAs were provided by library supervisor, not sure if GC saw them.
Answer: The Garrison leadership is meeting with FMWR to review the library's transition and current operability as well as the future. The recent visit to the library was very informative and helps understand the issue first hand.
**Employee gave GC statistics for the past 5 months showing hourly traffic as well as circulation activity for the past 3 months along with comparisons from other installations.
**Request that the GC and GCSM please visit the library.
**FedLink has been shut down, hours of operation should be adjusted to accommodate folks that arrive after 1700. COAs were provided by library supervisor, not sure if GC saw them.
Answer: The Garrison leadership is meeting with FMWR to review the library's transition and current operability as well as the future. The recent visit to the library was very informative and helps understand the issue first hand.
28 Aug 13 - Marketing
Question: I work first hand with military spouses. I would like to see marketing materials with them as the focal point of physical activities, not just some of the stand out Army athletes but real spouses.
Answer: Great idea. We've provided this comment to our marketing team to include for pertinent events in the future.
Answer: Great idea. We've provided this comment to our marketing team to include for pertinent events in the future.
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