Army prepares to cut thousands of civilian jobs

[alp227]

Source: CNN

Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. Army, already looking to shrink its force by 27,000 soldiers, is now also trying to cut more than 8,000 civilian jobs.

The plans call for the civilian jobs to be eliminated between now and October 2012, according to an Army official and a memo obtained by CNN.

The memo from Army Secretary John McHugh reads in part, "It is imperative that these reductions be accomplished as rapidly as possible, but no later than the end of FY 2012."

The cuts are part of the Army's plan to comply with the Secretary of Defense's instructions to return to fiscal year 2010 budget levels and keeping in line with the larger federal budget reduction efforts that predate the most recent national debt battle.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/08/03/army.civilian.jobs/index.html

[arcane1]

1. Yes, because THAT's where the wasted money is going

never mind the contractors and their no-bid swindling

[Javaman]

10. I have several friends that are teachers that work on military bases

as teachers for the kids of military.

They are civilian workers.

Not everything is black and white.

[arcane1]

11. I was refering to Bechtel and Halliburton

I would be surprised if teachers have no-bid cost-plus contracts.

[Javaman]

15. While you probably correct with the no bid part...

they are still civies and as such will be subject to the same budget cuts. Because, let's face it, they will be cut loose long before any of the mercenary corps are.

[arcane1]

16. Sad but true :(

[Jazzgirl]

17. My Mom and Stepfather were both teachers on a military

base. We lived on the base for 8-9 years. I hope they don't get rid of the teachers. that's where some of the best teachers I had came from.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. more people not able to spend since there is no income

I smell a real lean time ahead of us

[Bonhomme Richard]

3. Most people I know working in manufacturing are able to because of.....

military contracts.
Good, bad, or indifferent it still means less consumer spending.

[swilton]

4. I bet it's the older civil servants who get the ax

of course war-funding goes on as usual.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. The way a civil service RIF works, that rarely happens

Early outs and golden handshakes will most likely be used instead of a RIF

[OnlinePoker]

6. Or just not replacing people who retire.

Given that (in 2008) there were 627,000 civilians working in the defence department globally, this 8000 cut only represents 1.2% of the total workforce. I'm sure many more than 8000 retire annually so they could easily make the cuts through attrition alone.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

8. The OP said Army not DOD wide so the percentage is higher

Also fewer are retiring since there are fewer support contractor jobs available. Also with the rules change more high ranking officers are "retiring" into civil service

[arbusto_baboso]

7. Why don't they cut the damned "contractors" (i.e., mercenaries) and keep the regular soldiers?

After all, they are less expensive to maintain, more cost-efficient, and more susceptible to control from government.

[No Elephants]

12. The story is that regular troops do cost more, because of veteran's benefits, retirement, etc.

I find it hard to believe, but that is the story.

[arbusto_baboso]

14. The reason it's hard to believe is because it's bullshit.

Just like all the other lies we've been fed about how privatization is "cheaper". C'mon, if you build in a profit motive, things WILL BE MORE EXPENSIVE in the long run. Period. End of report.

[jmowreader]

18. Retirement usually doesn't play into it...

because a very small percentage of troops actually retire from the military.

The reality is, the mercenaries are more expensive right now than active-duty soldiers are, and if you keep one more than three years he is probably more expensive than the lifetime cost of an active-duty soldier.

[roomfullofmirrors]

9. there are too many civilians working in the Army. I'm fine with this.

[No Elephants]

13. Fuckers. So many other places where reductions could be made.