[CPEO-IRF] Impact on Ft. Monroe workforce

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Forum focuses on BRAC issues

BY PATRICK BUFFETT
CASEMATE (Ft. Monroe, VA)

Fort Monroe’s garrison workforce received some good news about the Base 
Realignment and Closure process during a Nov. 15 town hall meeting at 
the post theater.

As of midnight Nov. 9 when the BRAC recommendations became law, all 
government civilian employees assigned to activities designated for 
closure or realignment outside the commuting area are authorized 
unlimited leave accrual, according to Barry Buchanan, the installation’s 
Civilian Personnel Director and acting deputy to the garrison commander.

Furthermore, those stashed away days can be used to attain retirement 
eligibility when the installation is closed, “cashed in” if another 
federal government job is found elsewhere or paid in a lump sum upon 
regular or early retirement. Ordinarily, any leave time over 240 hours 
is forfeited.

Garrison employees could also be offered retention incentives if they 
opt to stay on the job through the BRAC process, Buchanan explained 
during his town hall presentation. He said the command “completely 
understands” if employees decide to seek other employment sooner rather 
than later, but they will offer incentives to those who continue to 
contribute their expertise through closure.

Other perks for employees who stay include a job swap program in which 
the government will pay all moving expenses, as well as opportunities to 
attend additional training to become more competitive. “The bottom line 
is that we’re going to do everything we can to help those employees who 
want to stay in the workforce,” Buchanan said.

Employees who meet the requirements for early or regular retirement may 
also see severance packages at the end of the BRAC process. The 
Department of Defense has authorized Voluntary Separation Incentive 
Payments and Voluntary Early Retirement Payments. For more information 
about these programs visit www.cpms.osd.mil/bractransition.

During the town hall meeting, garrison employees were also provided a 
fact sheet that contained Web references for BRAC information and 
support programs for families, frequently asked questions and a personal 
message from the garrison commander.

“BRAC is about teamwork,” the message explained. “Our mission ahead may 
seem sad, but its purpose could not be nobler. Fort Monroe’s sacrifice 
will ultimately benefit U.S. service members … we cannot lose sight of 
that fact.

“As we move forward, we must also be prepared to address future job 
opportunities,” Evans continued. “More than two-thirds of the jobs at 
Fort Monroe will remain in the Tidewater area. Others will relocate with 
Accessions and Cadet Command to Fort Knox, Ky. The rest (of the 
employees) will begin the search for new jobs elsewhere, and some will 
stay until Fort Monroe closes.

“Regardless of which category you may fall into, I encourage research 
and open dialogue … And please assure your friends and family that 
caring for our workforce is the top priority of every military and 
civilian leader on this installation.”

The fact sheet also provided the following questions and answers about 
Fort Monroe’s closure to “inform community members and help them discuss 
the BRAC process more accurately, which, in turn, discourages rumor and 
exaggeration.” Employees were asked to keep in mind that some of the 
answers given are based on planning data that is known at this time, and 
the information is subject to change.

Q: I have a family member/friend who works at Fort Monroe. Will that 
employee lose his/her job?

A: Based on the published realignment milestones, it appears that most 
of our employees will remain working at Fort Monroe for at least 5 years.

Q: Will garrison jobs be phased out or all end at the final closure date?

A: We hope to retain the majority of our workforce until closure; 
however, at some point, we will not need to backfill the positions of 
employees who retire or transfer to other jobs.

Q: In what order will post facilities be shut down? Who will be the last 
to go?

A: HQ TRADOC, NERO, NETCOM and ACA are scheduled to move to Fort Eustis 
in FY2011. Army Accessions and Cadet Commands will move to Fort Knox in 
FY2010. Other tenants will move according to their own schedule, some 
leaving as soon as FY2009, but all will depart no later than FY2011.

Q: Will the post continue to pursue major construction projects like the 
new Wherry Housing units? If not, can the money allocated for that 
project be diverted to other post improvements?

A: Fort Monroe removed 88 units of Wherry Housing. These deconstructed 
units will not be replaced. All MCA projects here have been cancelled as 
a result of BRAC. This money will be reprogrammed, but not to Fort Monroe.

Q: What is the guidance on planning future facility improvement projects 
like office renovations/repainting/new furniture/housing upgrades?

A: We will do our best to accommodate our customers, within reason. We 
are not going to recklessly expend government funds on projects that 
will not provide a cost benefit for the time a customer is here. DPW 
will retain enough funding for maintenance and repair projects.

Q: How long will the post continue special events like Music Under the 
Stars and the summer concerts?

A: Summer concerts will continue as long as commercial sponsors are 
willing to contribute funds to support the operating costs and the 
existing customer base remains on the installation. The Music Under the 
Stars concerts will continue for the forseeable future.

Q: Will activities like youth services, the bowling alley and the 
fitness center remain open until the end or will they be the first to 
shut down?

A: MWR services will continue as long as there is a customer population 
to support and funding is available to sustain operations.

Q: When will the Fort Monroe PX cease operations?

A: AAFES has an existing set of BRAC guidelines that provides timelines 
and internal controls for the protection of assets during closure. Some 
AAFES activities will remain operational as long as there is a customer 
base and funding is available to sustain operations. Ultimately the Fort 
Monroe furniture store will move to Fort Eustis. Sales associates will 
be transferred to local AAFES stores whenever possible.

More Qs and As will be published at a later date, the fact sheet noted. 
Future issues to be discussed include ordnance disposal and BRAC’s 
estimated cost savings.

For the original report, see
http://tradoc.monroe.army.mil/casemate/stack/112505townhall.htm

--
Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
http://www.cpeo.org

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