Altus Air Force Base News

 

Altus AFB restructures civilian workforce following RMD 703 announcement

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Air Force officials announced Nov. 2, several adjustments to the civilian workforce.

In response to direction from the Secretary of Defense for the Department of Defense to stop civilian growth above fiscal 2010 levels and the need to add 5,900 positions against the Air Force's top priorities, the Air Force eliminated approximately 9,000 positions. These adjustments reflect several initiatives designed to align limited resources based on Air Forces priorities. This process is an ongoing effort to increase efficiencies, reduce overhead and eliminate redundancy.

"Altus AFB fully supports the DOD efficiency efforts and is committed to gaining the greatest value from taxpayer investments in our nation's defense," said Col. James D. Peccia, 97th Mission Support Group commander. "Now, more than ever, we need to focus on shaping the future Air Force while remaining committed to our legacy of excellence."

According to the 97th Force Support Squadron Manpower and Personnel flight, the number of civilian positions being eliminated from Altus AFB between fiscal 2012 and 2013 - to include the Office of the Secretary of Defense-directed Resource Management Decision 703 - is 125. Of the 125 positions being removed, the majority of the positions that currently have a person employed come from the 97th MSG

"It is imperative to understand that when positions are eliminated, the people in those positions may not be adversely affected," Peccia said. "We are doing everything we can to avoid involuntary separations by reassigning displaced employees to vacant positions elsewhere here at Altus AFB. We will also offer retirement incentives to create more vacancies."

Upon receiving the Secretary of Defense's 2010 memo directing that civilian manpower costs stay within fiscal year 2010 levels, the Air Force began a comprehensive strategic review of the entire AF civilian workforce to determine whether or not civilian authorizations were in the right places to meet mission priorities.

The strategic review revealed several imbalances. Some high priority areas needed to grow, while some management and overhead functions needed streamlining. These imbalances led to a variety of initiatives focused on realigning scarce manpower resources with the most critical missions.

In particular, the Air Force will grow by approximately 5,900 positions in acquisition, the nuclear enterprise, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and other key areas while reducing approximately 9,000 positions in management, staff, and support areas.

"Our 20th century installations need to change to meet the requirements of the 21st century budgets. We are focusing on existing community resources to help reduce unnecessary spending," Peccia said. "This means that some on-base services are being adjusted, consolidated or eliminated."

Beginning in May 2011, the Air Force implemented a series of hiring controls and voluntary separation programs designed to reduce overall manpower costs, but these hiring controls did not provide the results required to operate within our fiscal constraints.

"The initiatives announced November 2 represents the next step toward that goal, but there is more work to be done," said Brig. Gen. Gina Grosso, AF Manpower, Organization, and Resources director. "The Air Force remains over fiscal year 2010 manpower levels and will continue to develop enterprise-wide solutions to achieve our goals with minimal impact to the mission. The Air Force must still define an additional 4,500 civilian positions for reduction."

As details become final, Air Force officials will release information regarding the next set of initiatives.

"Altus AFB will continue to support our civilian Airmen and their families during this transition," Peccia said. "At the same time, we need to recognize we can no longer provide all on-base services the same way. We will need to expand our partnerships and share services with the communities we live in."

The 97th Civil Engineer Squadron will see various changes come from these adjustments.

"The Civil Engineering mission will change at several levels," Peccia said. "This is a continuation of efforts that began in 2007 to transform the Air Force's Civil Engineering capabilities to meet future mission requirements. These efforts are being accelerated in response to the fiscal challenges affecting our nation, the entire DOD and our base."

Given the constrained fiscal environment, Air Force members should expect continued workforce shaping measures affecting military, civilian, and contractors, Grosso said.

"We understand the stress caused by uncertainty and will do our best to share information across the workforce as soon as it becomes available," said Grosso.