Penatgon Cut’s Troops, Civilian Worker Numbers Grow
I could be way off base here but I don’t understand Washington. You have veterans coming home after putting their lives on the line for this country. The “Hire a Veteran” ads are all over the place, which is great. But why not put these veterans to work at the Pentagon and get rid of the civil service workers. We are already going to be paying pensions and benefits to our veterans, which THEY DESERVE, so why not put them to work, thus saving the taxpayers from paying for a union government employee who can’t be fired.
If you don’t believe me, here are a few quotes and a pic of one our public servants after the quotes:
A senior flag officer at the Pentagon told The Washington Times that because of federal rules, “the problem with reducing civilians is you can’t fire anyone. The only way to do it is not to replace them.”
The Pentagon’s civilian workforce, which expanded dramatically during President Obama’s first three years, is not facing any significant reductions even as the Defense Department is slashing ground troops by more than 10 percent, retiring ships and combat planes, and putting off the purchases of some new weapons.
“While the fighting force is coming down, the overhead continues to grow,” he said. “It was an adverse ratio to start with, and it’s getting worse. You want to put your money in the tip of the spear, not in the rear with the gear.”
10 thoughts on “Penatgon Cut’s Troops, Civilian Worker Numbers Grow”
“why not put these veterans to work at the Pentagon and get rid of the civil service workers”
You answered your own question a few sentences later: “a union government employee” (emphasis added).
There has got to be a way to change the status quo. I guess that I am that gullible to actualy think someone in DC is thinking of ways to cut costs. But I think they just hire more cost cutters to decide where to cut and then find out that they can’t cut. Vicious circle.
Common sense isn’t so common, is it? I can think of a way to fix this, and very quickly, but it would probably upset a lot of people to say it.
CenTexTim – Since you are a college level professor, aren’t you a state employee? And if so, shouldn’t you pro-union. Don’t take offense, just asking. You know where I am at on unions.
The Pentagon is not a military entity anymore. It’s a political one.
As CenTexTim says, the unions have a death grip.
And are you from Central Texas, Tim? I’m centrally located, as well 🙂
State employee – yes
Union member – no
Texas is a ‘right to work’ state. Unions don’t have much of a foothold here, with the exception of a few like police and firemen unions. For example, there is a Toyota plant on the outskirts of San Antonio. It’s not unionized.
Public school (K-12) teachers are not unionized, but generally are represented by the Texas State teachers Association, a special interest group affiliated with the National Education Association. College professors are neither unionized nor organized…. 🙂
LC Aggie Sith – I live in the country outside of Boerne, which is about 20 miles or so NW of San Antonio.
Jeff – one of the things I liked about Newt as a presidential candidate is that IMO his ideas were fresh and bold, challenging the status quo. For example, he wanted to reform the civil services laws that govern government employees, which basically makes them impossible to fire, discipline, reassign, etc., as the officer in your post pointed out. Civil service, like unions, once had a place, but both have since evolved (devolved?) into greedy self-centered parasitical groups that just want more and more, until they kill their host.
I would have bought tickets to see Newt skewer Obama in a debate, and as far as his ideas…he had a shit load of ’em. Hopefully Romney can take some and leave some.
I live north of San Antonio, just south of New Braufels. Nice to meet you 🙂
The primary is yet to be held in NM and I’m thinking, if Newt is still on it as an option, that’s the box I’ll be checking. Despite whatever baggage he may be carrying, he’s still the best bet. As for Unions, pass a NATIONAL “Right To Work” law. Leave the option for those who wish it, but make it optional no matter where you are.
This Pentagon civilian force is ridiculous. As a concept, and in fact.