24 Sep 14 - Hiring Process

Question:  Why does DHR refuse to include the section chiefs in on hiring for a position that are open in their section?

Answer:  DHR leaders at the lowest levels (section, branch, etc.) are part of the DHR hiring process.  These leaders are members of the selection panel who screen resumes and conduct interviews for vacant positions.  However, when displaced federal employees who are eligible for the priority placement program (PPP) are screened, qualify and accept vacant positions, they receive "mandatory" placement rights for these jobs within their selected geographic area of availability and no DHR leaders at any level have a say in those selections.

24 Sep 14 - In-House Promotions

Question:  Why does management in DHR feel no one in the organization is qualified for a promotion?  DHR never hires in-house.

Answer:  DHR employees must apply for vacant positions to be considered for selection.  All candidates, who apply for vacant positions within the DHR, are screened by our servicing civilian personnel office to ensure they meet the qualification requirements for positions they are applying for. Within the past 2 to 6 months four (4) DHR employees applied for and were selected for higher graded positions within the DHR.  The DHR hiring process is clearly outlined in the DHR Standard Operating Procedures for Civilian Hire Request, Referral and Selection.  The best qualified candidate is selected for positions based on this objective process and OPM rules.  The priority placement program (PPP) may also come into play regarding vacant positions.  Whereby displaced federal employees who become eligible for PPP receive "mandatory" placement rights for Department of Defense jobs within their selected geographic area of availability.

24 Sep 14 - Civilian Training

Question:  Garrison CSM asked the group if the training that they are getting was worth the bang for their buck?

Answer:  GCSM:  Look at what training is out there.  If you think that it is good for you and your directorate, submit some COA’s to your chain of command.  See if it is within your budget and maybe one of your COA’s will be approved. 

24 Sep 14 - Counseling

Question:  GC asked the group if they have been receiving their quarterly counseling?

Answer:  Group: Yes. 

GC:  Your counseling sessions should include your IDPs, goals, performance, and training.  I will discuss ICE, counseling, and how to mentor employees again at the next GC Quarterly Supervisor Training in December.

24 Sep 14 - Soldier Conduct

Question:  I am noticing that Soldier conduct is horrible, and getting worse!  What can we do?

Answer:  What you are seeing is anxiety, frustration and anger, possibly from the military downsizing, being taken out on you.  I apologize for their behavior.  Continue to be patient and use temperance.  There is customer service training available if necessary. 

**It was mentioned from an employee that the customer service training covers mostly civilian sector issues, not issues that deal directly with the military and Soldier services. 

24 Sep 14 - 59 Minutes

Question:  Do we (DA Civilians) get 59 minutes on our birthday? 

Answer:  Allowing 59 minutes to the workforce for their birthday is up to the discretion of the supervisor/management.

24 Sep 14 - ID Card Section in Mower Gym

Question:  Mower Gym services Tenant Units, Reserves and National Guard regarding ID Cards.  Brigade S1’s are not coordinating with them when their ID card machine is down, and are sending Active Duty Soldiers to Mower Gym to get ID cards.  This is not acceptable.

Answer: Soldiers need to understand that Mower Gym’s first priority is to the Tenant Units, Reserves and National Guard.  When you hear that a Brigade’s system is down, contact the Garrison CSM so that he can contact that Brigade CSM to rectify the situation.  Most times the Brigade CSM is unaware of the situation.

24 Sep 14 - Certificates of Appreciation for Soldiers Out-processing

Question:  Soldiers clearing with OER/NCOER/Awards is a good idea but a lot of Soldiers are getting short changed by unit giving them a COA so they can clear.  Out-processing is also getting harassed about this issue.

Answer:  GCSM:  Yes according to the 3ID Directive 2014-01 Out-processing Guidance, Soldiers will not depart the 3d ID without an evaluation and an award (if recommended).  Please get me the information as to which units are short changing their Soldiers.  I will then discuss the issue with the specific unit CSMs.

Information was provided to GCSM on 30 Sep 14.

24 Sep 14 - Negative ICE Comments

Question:  I want to discuss ICE comment cards.  We have hundreds of good comments and when we get one bad one (which most of the time are unfounded) we hear from everyone in management.  How do we respond when the comment is wrong?

Answer:  It is up to your management as to how ICE comments are to be answered.  ICE comments are not meant to be used for performance-based counseling. If you are being counseled from unfounded ICE comments let me know.

24 Sep 14 - Services Available for Retired Civilian Employees

Question:  What services on FSGA/HAAF are available to DoD 30 year retired Federal employees?

Answer: Retired DoD Civilians may use the golf courses, bowling centers, and clubs.  They may also hunt and fish on the installation (with a permit).

24 Sep 14 - Transitional Opportunities for Retired Civilians

Question:  ACAP has transitional employment opportunities for Soldiers that are retiring and ETSing from the Army.  Are there any transitional employment opportunities for DoD employees retiring after 30 years?

Answer:  Army Civilians may contact the Soldier for Life office to receive recommendations for job assistance upon separating from the Army.  We offered these services to Army Civilians going through the reduction-in-force a few years ago.  The Georgia Department of Labor is another great source of job opportunities as well as the job fairs that are conducted on the installation at least quarterly.

GCSM:  Contact your Military Family Life Consultant (MFLC) for a goal setting consultation.  Maybe opportunities will arise from meeting with them.

24 Sep 14 - Lateral Position from one Garrison to Another

Question:  A DoD GS employee desiring a lateral position within IMCOM Garrison from one post to another; what is the process?

Answer:  USA Jobs will be the source for vacancies and will outline the specifics as to who is eligible (external, internal, etc.).  Employees, regardless of whether in IMCOM or not, will have to apply through USA Jobs.

24 Sep 14 - BRAC List

Question:  What is the status of FSGA/HAAF on the BRAC List or loss of DA civilian employees?

Answer:   There is no BRAC right now.  Nothing will be approved until after the elections.  The USAF is saying that they have 25% excess structures.  The Army is looking to downsize to 490k.  If sequestration continues in FY15, there will be a 13% reduction in civilian jobs.  We cannot afford another cut in civilian jobs.  Pay attention to the elections.  Let your congressmen know your concerns with sequestration.  Continuing Resolution was signed through 11 Dec 14.  In 2011 we had 1526 DA Civilians, in 2014 our authorizations are 929 DA Civilians, in 2015 our authorizations will be 855 DA Civilians, and by 2017 our authorizations will be 775 DA Civilians.

24 Sep 14 - Is the commissary closing?

Question:  Please provide information concerning rumors that the commissary may close in the near future.

Answer:  There is a study pending on the way forward for DECA.  One Course of Action (COA) is to partner with AAFES.  The other COA is to change their business model, which will cause the prices to increase.  The commissary currently receives $2.4B in Federal subsidies which is why prices are lower to the consumer. 

22 Sep 14 - Submit Suggestions

Question: We know that ICE is not to be used for internal issues.  Where else can we go? 

Answer:  Brown Bag Suggestion Box, EEO, and your chain of command.  Depending on the situation, we may possibly have to conduct a 15-6.  

Brown Bag suggestion boxes are dropped off at the directorate a few days prior to the Brown Bag and placed in a common area for folks to place questions/comments.  You do not have to attend the brown bag to find out the answer.  Answers are published on the Team Stewart Website.  I will stay afterwards for a few minutes if someone would like to ask a question in private.

22 Sep 14 - Gold Star Mother Day Event

Question: Gold Star Mother Day event is coming up and we haven’t heard of any 3ID personnel attending.  Can you help?

Answer:  We have pushed this information out to Brigade Command Teams and BG Bentley will be the senior representative.  We know this will be a great event in support of our Families.

22 Sep 14 - Panel Members for Interviews

Question: When conducting interviews, how many people are on the panel?

Answer:  When it comes down to the hiring of an employee, all organizations must follow USAG Policy Letter #11 which can be found at:  https://intra.stewart.army.mil/garrison/gc/Pages/PolicyLetters%20-%20new.aspx

The minimum number of panel members is 3 based on the current policy.

22 Sep 14 - ACS Transformation

Question: ACS transformation.  What happened with that? 

Answer:  It died.  IMCOM decided not to continue it. 

22 Sep 14 - RIF Notifications to Employees

Question: You mentioned losing 11 positions by FY16-17.  When should folks be notified?

Answer:  We don’t have a specific list yet.  We are fighting for some positions. Once we receive the final list, we will let folks know.  Odds are, folks won’t be cut until FY17-18.  We’ve already taken a 30% cut.  Look at yourself/resume; here is what I need to do to apply for other positions out there.  Sequestration will take jobs.  The hiring pool is getting bigger and bigger to get a job.  Over 98 people were on the referral list for the latest MWR position.  Positions are on USA Jobs. 

22 Sep 14 - Transition to other positions

Question: How do I make myself more marketable for other positions?  We and our supervisors need to do certain things.  What happens beyond that?  I have maxed out my education, my supervisor can’t afford to lose me, so what next?

Answer:  Meet with your supervisor and lay out your expectations.  Look for opportunities to cross train.  Maybe during slow times, 30 day cross training intervals at a time.

22 Sep 14 - TMP Vehicles

Question: If we have to travel to HAAF, gas isn’t cheap.  I was told that we couldn’t claim mileage and the TMP process is extreme!  What do we do?  ACS had a TMP but had to turn it in.

Answer:  If I get you a TMP, you have to put 400 miles/month on it.   TMP vehicles can be placed on a recurring dispatch if it meets the mileage quota.  For circumstances in which this is not possible, ACS (or any organization) can request a GSA from the TMP fleet at least 3 days in advance.  With proper scheduling, we can meet this timeline to our employees and our customers.  Contact Mr. Gerald Sales at TMP for any concerns. In the event a POV is authorized by your supervisor, mileage reimbursement is authorized.  Please consult your supervisor and your DTS administrator.

22 Sep 14 - Which Service would you close?

Question: GC asked this question to the group:  What do you all think?  If  you had to close a service, which one would you close?

Group Answer: MPD.  We should be case managers, but IMCOM won’t approve it.

GC:  A lot of folks at IMCOM don’t know what goes on at Regions/Garrisons.  They create policies but don’t know how to execute.

22 Sep 14 - WTU Soldiers

Question: With the WTU population getting lower, are there any plans in sending 3ID Soldiers over there?

Answer:  The CG likes keeping the Soldiers with the unit.  It promotes camaraderie. When the Chief of Staff of the Army visited, we offered up some SFAC positions.  No sense in having SFAC when you have duplicate services in Bldg 253.  If we take positions away from ACS we will need to close doors/no services, or we provide services at Fort Stewart on 3 days and 2 days at HAAF. 

22 Sep 14 - GC Update

GC Update:
--Year end is 99.9% obligated
--President signed the FY15 Continuing Resolution (CR).  So we can project for the year what our budget will look like.
--We are down 30% from the budget ($110k vs $125k from last year).
--We are operating under Capability Level (CL) 3(RED) with the exception of a few programs in ACS.
--Command guidance from IMCOM shouldn’t affect too much of our budget.
--FY16 sequestration kicks in if budget is not fixed in FY15.
--This will be the smallest Army since WWII.
--Workforce will be cut 10-20% with the military downsizing.  We should know something after the elections in FY15.
--We currently have 136 vacancies in Garrison and 77 overhires due to position and grade mis-match.
--Worse case scenario will be a Reduction in Force (RIF).  On the green suiters (military) side you will see a RIF of Officers and NCOs.  Army wants to reduce to 490k troops at the end of next October.
--Total Army Re-balancing is ongoing.  We have lost 2 Brigade.  Other announcements will be forthcoming after the elections.