Officials announce civilian workforce hiring freeze

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Officials announce civilian workforce hiring freeze

Posted 8/12/2011

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by Capt. Mary Danner-Jones
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

8/12/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials announced the implementation of a 90-day hiring freeze effective immediately.

A firm commitment to keep spending within requested levels led to implement the hiring freeze across the civilian workforce, officials said.

In addition to a 90-day hiring freeze, the officials plan to reduce temporary and term employees and will implement both the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program and Voluntary Early Retirement Authority program.

Officials project that all major commands, direct reporting units and field operation agencies will be affected by these actions.

"We are operating in a very challenging fiscal environment and are focused on meeting mission requirements with a reduced budget." said Lt. Gen. Darrell Jones, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services. "We are mindful of the potential impacts of budget constraints on our civilian force and their families, which is why we are seeking to reduce the need for involuntary measures."

The 90-day hiring freeze is intended to quickly reduce civilian strength levels to budgetary limits and enable future hiring to support the most critical mission requirements.

"We will do our utmost to provide timely, candid communication on specific efforts as details are finalized," General Jones said.

For additional information on civilian workforce reduction measures, personnel should contact their local civilian personnel office, or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.

Comments

11/2/2011 11:16:13 AM ET
This is just great. I am told that I can return to my base after completing a remote. as I plan on retiring I buy a house. While on remote the AF denies my return to base request. I am now at another base my wife is at my old assignment trying to sell the house. Now I have the problem of paying two housing payments and my wife cannot get hired at the new base due to the freeze. Way to go Af.

Norman99, USA

8/23/2011 11:30:08 AM ET
I filled out the VERA/VSIP form in May. I wish they would do the offers today, now, NOT TOMORROW. I am ready to start filling out the paperwork and forms to retire at the end of December this year.

BI, Eglin AFB FL

8/22/2011 4:17:06 PM ET
For those who believe us old folks should just immediately retire to benefit the young folks--Retirement takes many years of planning and preparation. We must be prepared to live on substantially less than what we earn at our job. This does not happen overnight. --Young people are not entitled to our jobs just because they are young. Many of us old folks are in jobs we've worked directly towards for many years. We've worked very hard climbing the ladder to get here. --Because of the economy many of us have to help support our grown children and our grandchildren. This prolongs the time we must work. Its not what we wanted but its the way things are.

Gene, Hill AFB

8/18/2011 6:04:49 PM ET
The harsh truth of the matter is this: if your boss wants you in the job regardless of performance, you can stay. If they have a buddy who's retiring soon, then no matter what, he/she'll get it. There is no integrity in the hiring process. If you've been in the ranks for 1 year or 30 it still boils down to who you know and who you... Fill in the blank.

Mikey, Wyoming

8/18/2011 12:45:05 PM ET
Bob at MacDill AFB: What I hear from you is that you resent veterans who served honorably, you resent veterans who have become disabled and you resent veterans taking civil service jobs because they wish to continue serving their country. I take it you do not believe that vets should be civil servants and disabled vets should not be allowed to work. By the way, I am retired, disabled, and have specialized experience and a clearance which more than qualifies me for my job. So let me get this right. What you are saying is I do not deserve to work for the Governtment?

Retired Diabled Veteran, Hurlburt Field

8/18/2011 12:04:02 PM ET
As usual, the backbone of DOD, the working stiffs, have to bare the burden of the upper echelon mistakes. We all sometimes must sacrifice; not having a job is scarey.

Benjamin R. Norris Sr, Columbus afb ms

8/17/2011 5:35:11 PM ET
Here's a novel idea. How about we all take a 1 pay grade reduction and payroll costs will be cut across the board. Nobody looses their job and we all truly contribute to a solution.

Flightline BUE, Edwards AFB

8/17/2011 4:22:06 PM ET
I recall the time when we had selection panels to assist in selection for promotions. Somehow that went away. The only way to get promoted today is through who you know. Management are now hiring their family and friends. If they are not on the selection list they will do a by-name request. Get out if you are offered the VERA/VSIP because there are no promotions unless you know someone in authority. They also age discriminate when hiring.

Fulton Allen, Scott

8/17/2011 4:06:41 PM ET
Woo-wee! Look at all the people sweating it out here. The truth of the matter folks is that the guv-ment isn't the safe haven that it was for a lot of years. To the people griping about unfair hiring practices it's no different on the outside. Perhaps you should network more. The bottom line is that you should always have a plan B. My plan B is to always be prepared to flip burgers or work in retail should the need arise. It's not something I dwell on but I don't look at my current civil service job as the thing that defines who I am.

Paul Walmsley, Sheppard AFB. TX

8/17/2011 3:34:22 PM ET
Hope this thought process migrates over to the Reserve and National Guard like it was done a few years back.

djm, maryland

8/17/2011 11:43:14 AM ET
Not sure how Leslie can lump retired military into the same category as friends and family. Hiring friends and family into a vacancy is ethically wrong. Hiring a military retiree brings a wealth of military experience. Big difference.

Janet Talia, MD

8/17/2011 11:35:55 AM ET
Send me the paperwork I will volunteer to retire early. And I am not the only one here interested

Patrick Burch, JPPSO-SAT

8/17/2011 9:22:17 AM ET
It is amazing. The U.S. government sends 1.5 Trillion dollars in aid overseas every year. Why not take care of our own for a change?

JR, Tyndall AFB FL

8/17/2011 8:23:23 AM ET
After reading all the comments, I have seen the same things said over and over: stop hiring friends and family who aren't qualified and stop creating positions for retiring military who can't make it on the outside. We all know what the problems are in Civil Service but it's like trying to fight City Hall. We'll never win. The odds are stacked against those of us who are in the trenches. Can't get promoted because the higher paying jobs go to friends, family, and retired military. No pay raise for two years, maybe longer. Now the possibility of getting laid off if the Air Force doesn't meet the quota on VERA and VSIP. Hello! And we wonder why the economy is bad. Those of us who are considered middle class and work for the Feds can no longer spend money because our salaries are not keeping up with inflation. I wish we could solve this, but as long as the higher-ups continue to do what they're doing, everything will be business as usual. And yes, I give 110 percent every day at work.

Leslie, Lackland

8/16/2011 6:01:44 PM ET
Does this apply to temp federal technicians in the air national guard?

patrick, New Jersey ANG

8/16/2011 4:47:47 PM ET
To really get the deficit down, open the VERA and VSIP to all government agencies. We are just sitting on pins and needles just to find out if our location was selected to particpate in the program or not. I meet service years but not MRA. I don't mind the 3-year percent redux, so let me retire already.

SW, Del Rio TX

8/16/2011 3:47:11 PM ET
Everyone realizes that the DoD is a big spender obviously, and yes, we should take a look at the budget and tweak on it. But for congress to start messing with our manpower and our G.I.'s retirement is wrong when we have stupid healthcare and food stamp programs for people who don't deserve and we offer illegal children to have free college and health care. That's where the cuts need to be made!

Cal it, Eglin AFB

8/16/2011 3:37:12 PM ET
I believe there are a lot of civilians who are retirement eligible and who may have put their paperwork in but then pulled it because they are waiting for the magical VERA/VSIP to start. When RIF's occur, you typically take out the middle of your work force when really those individuals who are retirement eligible should be forced to retire. You probably wouldn't need a RIF if you did that. The military has high year of tenure laws. Why can't federal service have the same thing? Just sayin'.......

Leah, Davis-Monthan AFB AZ

8/16/2011 3:20:10 PM ET
Unfortunetly greed has gotten the best of everyone. Unions that are supposed to protect the work force make cases that weaken the ability of leadership to create efficiency that would save money, create jobs, and protect future growth. They demand much with little to offer. On the other hand, leaders are forced into bad spending habits due to congressional oversight that distributes the nation's money in ways that are designed to protect thier electability rather than the nation. I appreciate the opportunities this country has given me and the education, work, and experiences the military provides. This is the only life I know, as I was born on an AF base and still work on one 60 yrs later. Thank you, U.S. citizens for your tax contributions that make this possible. We owe you a debt of gratitude and honest accountability for our expenditures.

BR, OKC OK

8/16/2011 2:27:18 PM ET
I concur with the comments that Mr Ruben Zee wrote. Give me the $25K and I will go today

Gilbert Micciche, 802 CPTS Lackland AFB TX

8/16/2011 2:26:36 PM ET
Unfortunately, DOD always gets the short end of deal when comes to budgetary cuts/constraints. However, since the majority did not like NSPS to keep status quo what else can we do ourselves to prove to lawmakers that we can stay viable and competitive? If we in the DOD community as an agency pull together resources to seek efficiencies etc. and provide cost savings that compare with other Federal Govt agencies, contractors or even civilian agencies that provide service/support to goverment and public maybe we can prove that we are just as worthy. We have to adapt in an environment of change versus remaining complacent within status quo.

Jose JBPHH HI, Hawaii

8/16/2011 2:13:15 PM ET
If early retirement was given to just those wanting early retirement just think of the savings. For those with 35 plus with the right age already, just tell them to leave and then those who wanted to retire early actually would get consideration. I know everyone wants an exit bonus, but hey, if you've got enough years in to retire then just RETIRE!

DC, Robins AFB

8/16/2011 12:18:10 PM ET
The RIF's are coming. I was verbally notified a little over a month ago that my position was being abolished and received my official RIF notice on 30 July effective 30 Sept. Fortunately an equivalent grade position was found but unfortunately I am bumping someone else who may end up out of a job. Of the four 2210 positions in my squadron, two are going away effective 30 Sept.

Already RIF'ed, CONUS

8/16/2011 11:38:53 AM ET
I have been working solo in a potentially dangerous situation as a result of this hiring Freeze. How can this possibly be justified? There used to be 3 people doing what I do. I won't be specific but my life is on the line on a daily basis.

PM, Luke AFB AZ

8/16/2011 11:04:12 AM ET
Does this mean they can speed up retirements now that they have more time on their hands since they are not processing new hires?

amc, lackland

8/16/2011 10:55:46 AM ET
What gets me is the whole hiring process to begin with. Why announce a position when you already know who your going to put in and waste everyone else time of doing a resume and applying? It's a bunch of bull. It's either someone's friend or some political crap. No wonder you don't get qualified people to do the job. If someone really wants you in that position they just tell you what to put so you get the job.

LS, DE

8/16/2011 10:54:40 AM ET
Sad to see the Defense Department take such a hit. Typical political behavior. They won't cut welfare to illegals, but weaken our nation's defense instead. The shuffling going on here is putting unqualified people in positions necessary to our nation's defense, negatively impacting morale. Hope I get the VERA. My patriotic views are unwelcome in todays Air Force.

Wareagle, Hill AFB

8/16/2011 10:22:42 AM ET
Actually this mentality is prevalent throughout the Federal GOV. Everybody and their momma is bilking the GOV based on how the GOV has itself set up. It makes the rules it plays by. It has managers set up who follow its rules. When the managers or even employees call foul, they change the rules to make the managers have to follow more rules, thereby hiring more people to enforce the rules. Our system is not set up to allow people to desire to leave the GOV behind for others who might really need a job and might do better at it. The GOV is set up for those in to never leave. There is a lot of selfishness and me-isms but if the right employees are hired and not buddies' friends or those who don't really need a job, not only would you shrink the GOV, you just might make it so efficient all the wasteful spending we currently have in hiring and programs not needed would soon be a thing of the past.

Dazed Confused, Scott IL

8/16/2011 10:13:21 AM ET
Funny how everyone blames Congress, the president, and who ever. While you are pointing the finger, there are at least 3 pointing back at you. First of all, take a long hard look at yourself. Are you doing your job and beyond? Too many times we hear the saying "it's not my job," no matter how small the task. As many people have stated before, the hiring officials still have "good old boy" going and are looking to hire family and friends even if they are not qualified. They hold positions open just long enough to meet the bare mininum and then hire their friends and family. It's not a congressional problem or even the president's fault. It's OUR fault we allow this to go on: the substandard work, substandard workers, and no enforcement of rules or regulations. What ever happened to Responsiblilty, Committment, and Excellence in all that we do? We look the other way. We only hear what we want to and we fail to speak up.

RE, Ft Rucker

8/16/2011 9:07:49 AM ET
It is good to see that steps are being taken to help with the budgetary issues plaguing our nation. Congress is currently full of self-gratifying overpaid idiots who believe their sole purpose is to choke out those trying to do good things for our country. All levels of civilian government employees should be evaluated and held accountable for poor duty performance, not just DoD employees. This is unfortunate for some but it will be our children who suffer for our lack of responsibility. As for the paid consultants, you have done your time. Move over, collect your retirement, and give others the chance. Your time has passed. Your service is appreciated but you are expensive and we can no longer afford you.

Jason, Oklahoma

8/16/2011 9:04:38 AM ET
Another panic scare tactic to the American People...what a wonderful country we live in

Seeking a permanent job..., temporarily placed

8/16/2011 8:46:40 AM ET
Yes, we all need to be concerned with the budget. But why promote 43 percent military to E-6 recently? Why promote 34 percent to E-7? What ever happened to the old days of having more airmen to do the job instead of more NCOs to sit in an office on a comoputer? Look at how much money the budget would save. Now trim some of the upper level management who are already retired: CMSgts etc. More money saved. Show how much we are paying contractors who are retired military and getting paid more than when they were active duty. Cut the pay of senators and congressmen who have numerous houses and make them take the same healthcare and retirement plans as the rest of us civilians. Bottom line: It will never be fair for us. We will always get the short end.

Fed Up, South Carolina

8/16/2011 8:44:51 AM ET
Well, so much for "let's hire more veterans." Most veterans have the skill, stability, and reliability. In addition, 2-for-1 hiring for all veterans, many are already doing 2 for 1. I'm doing 5 to 1. Folks who are directly supporting the mission, i.e launching aircraft, aircrew will probably get out of this one. Rememeber that's what we support...

Night Rider, AR

8/16/2011 8:34:00 AM ET
I just see a SSgt spending $20.000 in not-necessary items just to get their budget for 2012. With that money I can be hired for a year. What a waste of everyone's money!

isabel brown, lakenheath

8/16/2011 7:49:48 AM ET
This is nothing but a joke. They keep the people who don't do anything all day but get rid of people who actually work. Then they let people leave the military, collect disability, then get jobs on base. They also hire these people who retire and make up positions for them to double dip.

Bob, MacDill AFB

8/16/2011 5:11:30 AM ET
The Government needs to focus on geting it right. You cannot cut postions without first looking at the rules and regulations that mandate. Let's be honest. There are regulations out there that were created to provide work and guarantee of job security and self preservation. Regulations, programs requirements, etc, etc. Cut those first and then the workforce. And eliminate an overage of managers. Air Force is top heavy both in the military and civilian force.

Been There, UK

8/16/2011 3:19:15 AM ET
So I wonder, with all of the funding issues, if they will change on-station limits overseas. It cost a whole lot to move someone from stateside to Germany and yet they have artificial limits on how long people can stay here because someone a long time ago cried about people sitting on jobs here. With our current state, it does not make sense to push people overseas out of a job to just have to pay to fill it with anouther stateside civilian. I hope that this is looked at as a way to cut costs and allow people who want to have long-term stable work overseas that opportunity.

Civ, Germany

8/15/2011 5:26:23 PM ET
AFMC at AMARG should implement the VERA/VSIP. As a CSRS employee, I would take it ASAP. $25 grand after taxes when combined with leave sold back and last paycheck leaves a shockingly reduced amount. Congress should consider increasing the amount to keep up with inflation. To add insult to injury, the CSRS annuity post-tax amount is tax deferred at a rate of aprx 3 percent a year for 25 yrs till all the money in your CSRS account is used up and you have to request it every tax filing.

Gilbert Acevedo, Davis Monthan AFB AMARG

8/15/2011 5:02:02 PM ET
Hopefully everyone will do a firm but fair assessment of their working population and truly get rid of their riff raffs. There's too many cliques of friends out there that have truly damaged our system of honestly hiring the best. Instead, they hire their friends or a friend of a friend.

Eric, DMAFB

8/15/2011 3:33:56 PM ET
Why are they starting with terms and temps? This is normally a lower grade level with young people holding these positions. Why should they suffer? Let's get rid of Congress and their unbelievable retirment plans. Their plan alone could fund interns, temps, and terms for years. Also raise the VSIP and VERA level. People would leave in droves. Your budget would be saved and you could support the careers of new employees -- mmmmm, just a thought.

CS, TX

8/15/2011 2:30:33 PM ET
AFMC tried to have a VERA/VISP and have it pay out of FY 11 dollars. However, Air Staff decided to step in and now if there is one, it will pay out of our shrinking FY 12 budget, and if the budget supper committee does not get it's job done in time, guess we are going to get cut even more.

CivPay Analyst, Eglin AFB FL

8/15/2011 2:07:19 PM ET
Hopefully with this hiring freeze, first and second level managers will take a look at all of the employees who have been promoted or hired that were never qualified to do the job they were hired to do, consequently positions were made up or created to justify hiring unqualified people.

Fred S, Hill AFB UT

8/15/2011 1:50:27 PM ET
So...the DoD implements an insourcing of contractor to GS and eliminates all contractor funding for those spots in FY12. Then they freeze CIV hiring so units can't complete the process. Kind of like Dad telling the kids they have to vacuum their rooms or get no allowance, then Mom telling the same kids they can't use the vacuum. Hard to believe it's the same gov't that put a man on the moon, with engineers averaging 27-yrs of age led by a few 30-yr-olds. Then again, maybe that's how they did it: no old guys too worried about making a mistake to make a timely decision...

CR, FL

8/15/2011 1:30:49 PM ET
My understanding is that a RIF will only occur after they offer up early retirement and voluntary separation. If they have enough volunteers leave the civilian force they will not need to do a RIF. BTW...isn't it nice that the GOV will bail out the mortgage companies that created this mess but not their own agencies.

M Perkins, Florida

8/15/2011 1:13:15 PM ET
I agree with Had Enough. They seem to be hiring all sorts of generals and upper management who have no clue how things operate but think they do. They will find out soon enough when enough of us have to leave and the aircaft numbers drop.

jeff gordon, pittsburgh

8/15/2011 12:41:39 PM ET
AFMC has 64,800 employees. 6,652 expressed intrest in a VERA/VSIP for 2011. The 2 out-1 in program did not work. RIF's may be coming, the VSIP amount has not changed in 15 years.

Andy, AFB

8/15/2011 12:29:59 PM ET
Give me the $25K and I will go today

Ruben Zee, HQ AETCA4PM

8/15/2011 11:14:30 AM ET
Does this apply to technicians for the Air National Guard?

Andrew Talero, Tucson IAP

8/15/2011 11:01:03 AM ET
Hiring Freeze ...with waivers to keep hiring... seen it too many times. We've been under a 2-to-1 hiring freeze for awhile now and no one noticed the hiring process continued. Don't you just love the waivers? I do. psI just got hired; yeah, baby

Lucky, Waiver-ville Oz

8/15/2011 10:58:21 AM ET
It won't apply to general officers. They are not rehired as civilian employees. They are brought back in as contract consultants for about $100,000 per 4 month contract. Nice job if you can get it.

Jerry, Oklahoma

8/15/2011 10:44:19 AM ET
I hope that this hiring freeze gets rid of all the lazy complacent "its not in my duty description" civilians. There are a lot of hardworking civilians, however there some civilians who refuse to go above and beyond. The whole civilian evaluation and contract system has to be reevaluated. Commanders need to stop hiring their unqualified friends and Chiefs and Officers need to stop converting Military positions into Civilians positions so that when they retire they still have a job because they are unqualified to work anywhere else. This is what is hurting the United States Military.

AR, Nellis

8/15/2011 9:53:31 AM ET
Why are we as govt employees taking the blunt end of this? We dont see Congress taking a cut in pay or hiring freeze. This is not fair to the folks who want to apply at the lower grades who have families to feed and need a job now. The Congress must do something about this-put a stop to this once and for all. It is bad enough they closed down DFAS-DENVER and all of us had to take a cut in pay coming to Indy or Cleveland due to the locality pay is lower then Denver. My God how much more do we have to take and suffer?

karen mangini, INDY

8/15/2011 9:20:21 AM ET
Well if there is a RIF it will hit those career officers that retreaded to civilian very hard. The good old boy system is alive and well as they get hired to the top tier of our management, stiffing those that have been working hard in the trenches for years. I say we need to reinstitute the old ban on military coming back as civilians without a pay hit. Stealing jobs from those waiting for promotions and double dipping is the opposite of 'Integrity' the number 1 core value of the AF...

MT, TX

8/15/2011 9:14:26 AM ET
Hasn't the time come to look at the unecessary programs that are not involved in protecting our country i.e. miltary bands, Thunderbirds, Tops in Blue? While they are nice they cost money that can be better used in true war fighting support.

RP, Kirtland AFB

8/15/2011 8:57:37 AM ET
Had Enough remarks are correct and unfortunate. This basically has RIF all over it and the target won't be GS11-15. Promotion potential for non-retiree's is almost non-existant due to retiree's that leave active service one day and are hired into civil serivce the next. Along with non-retiree's who have served for 20-30 years and cannot buy milk for their lunch on base.

Natalie Henderson, Sheppard AFB

8/15/2011 8:49:27 AM ET
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are out of money and now we have to think. Instead of complaining we now have to think. How will we accomodate new missions without term or temp positions? What programs can we do without? We can't be whining. We need to start thinking.

Dan Roberts, Sheppard AFB Texas

8/15/2011 8:35:37 AM ET
Thank God. Now I can get out with my retirement 12 years sooner and get an increase in pay by taking the same job as a contractor I could not be happier!

Dennis, Alabama

8/15/2011 8:28:22 AM ET
I agree with had enough - the system will now be broken for those who need the help the most. I also agree we need to balance the budget so no more pay raises for Congress... Let's make THAT a law!

BS, AL

8/15/2011 8:01:38 AM ET
We could have saved some 7000 jobs just with the VERAVSIP that's what the fake survey they did found out. Why not just do the early out and save jobs and peoples lives?

David, Edwards AFB

8/14/2011 6:15:10 PM ET
"We are mindful of the potential impacts of budget constraints on our civilian force and their families, which is why we are seeking to reduce the need for involuntary measures." Strange how they mention mindful but the ones that they say they're mindful about are the same ones they cut. If you're eligible for retirement, please retire. If you're within the range that early retirements are offered, retire. Please give the younger generation a chance to make mission impacts. You've done your time served exceptionally and made your awesome contributions to National Defense. Give the younger generation a chance to work and pay your retirement.

Si Kovit, World-wide

8/12/2011 10:19:42 PM ET
At least the civilian sector was offered an early retirement, unlike the active force that has been RIF'd out

LT, not close enough

8/12/2011 8:23:29 PM ET
What concerns me the most is a large chunk of the defense budget depends on those on the budget supercommittee putting their usual stupidity aside and coming to an agreement by November. If not I shudder to imagine the RIF actions down the road.

DC, MD

8/12/2011 5:11:56 PM ET
So how long do you think it will take for retiring Gens, Cols, and Chiefs to find a way around this freeze and get hired even though they are minimally qualified and hired over more qualified candidates? Does this freeze apply to interns as well? Probably not. Seems to me the only ones getting dogged are career employees who have been in the trenches doing the heavy lifting for years and now cant get promoted. Thank you to Pres. Obama and the Congress. Hope and Change. Yes, I hope it all changes in 2012 but I doubt it.

Had Enough, Somewhere

8/12/2011 4:30:18 PM ET
Is that speculation or...

BM, VA

8/12/2011 4:18:57 PM ET
All of the people who only look out for number one in this country have pushed us to the brink. No surprise this has been coming by way of our cultural selfishness for decades. Too bad all of the hard-working stiffs in DOD and civilian sector of America have to take it in the ear for all of the greedy groups in the USA. No named groups -- you know who you are -- The Self before Service ones.

Mike Hannah, Kirtland AFB NM

8/12/2011 2:54:13 PM ET
I wonder how many people need to leave to attain the budgetary limit? I also wonder why the term RIF was avoided in the headline. This is more than just a hiring freeze.

DC, MD

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