Comments on: Think Outside the District

By: Inside the Headquarters » OSD Response on War Zone Civilian Hires

Inside the Headquarters » OSD Response on War Zone Civilian Hires — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:31:47 +0000

[...] the Headquarters” readers responded with interest to our May 19 posting on the filling of positions in current war zones. We shot what you had to say over to the Pentagon. [...]

By: Ellery F. Gray, CAPT USPHS (RET)

Ellery F. Gray, CAPT USPHS (RET) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:09:31 +0000

As a retired officer with 20 years U.S. Army experience and 16 years as a USPHS officer I have often wondered why all that expertise goes untapped. Even when we were on active duty there seemed to be great hesitation in sharing resources with the other services. I was one of the lucky few able to arrange for attachment to the Army working in mental health clinics and disaster relief operations. With the paucity of mental health services available to the various services and the VA, how come our suggestions fall on deaf ears?

As to assignments in Afghanistan and Iraq, use of retired personnel can free up others to carry out tasks deemed critical for their specialties.

Maybe MOAA can light a fire under someone.

By: Gina M. DiNicolo

Gina M. DiNicolo — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:45:35 +0000

I will forward this blog with its comments to OSD and let’s see what happens. I expect it to be ignored, but who knows.

My comment on “younger” retirees was more to overcome service objections than any slight against retirees of any age. Finding the right people for service abroad is about finding the right and qualified people. The courts have spoken on age issues.

By: Harlie R. Treat, Maj. USA (Ret)

Harlie R. Treat, Maj. USA (Ret) — Fri, 22 May 2009 11:58:32 +0000

Recalling retired officers to serve as PRT commanders is a superb idea. I was recalled in 2005 and did a year in Afghanistan. After seeing what was happening with the PRT’s in my AO, the thought that came to me then was that this would be a great job for a recalled retired officer. Many of the PRT commanders I met were not very enthusiastic or competent in the job.
I suggest this to DoD, select a retired field grade officer for recall, give him the TDA/personnel list of the PRT and let him contact fellow retirees to fill those slots. All of us know soldiers we served with who would do well in given jobs. Those slots that the officer couldn’t fill would be filled by DoD. Recall the team, give them appropriate training and send them to Afghanistan for a year. It would work! Afghans respect older folks, it’s part of their culture. It used to be part of ours, but seems like we have forgotten.
I thoroughly enjoyed my year in Afghanistan. It is a war that is winnable and worth our efforts. I would do it again in a flash!

By: Andrew C. Thomas, LTC, Army Ret.

Andrew C. Thomas, LTC, Army Ret. — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:22:35 +0000

Why stop with the young? There are many older retirees with a variety of skills and experiences both military and civilian. Our families are grown and on their own and as mentioned previously medical and retirement benefits are already there. They can be utilized in many areas outside of the battle field. The goverment and DOD have overlooked this natural resource.

By: Art Foucault

Art Foucault — Thu, 21 May 2009 01:27:30 +0000

Retired USAF LtCol – following retirement worked 7 yrs in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2 yrs in Bahrain, 2 yrs in Sudan managing U.S. civilian contracts. Actice duty – radar ops. Retired installed radar ops in Saudi, CADCAM in middle east, satellite comm in Sudan – Iraq and Afghanistan pose no unknown quantities. 2000 managed USAID program in Kosovo performing needed service including integrity as taught in US military and often times unknown in international management circles. Would need about ten minutes to pack up and go – but no – retired, out-of-touch, etc.etc. A vast resource available, qualified and ready to win and untapped in the United States military retirement commmunity.

By: James Wasneechak

James Wasneechak — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:18:30 +0000

I am a retired Combat Engineer Officer, with a VA disability rating of 80%. With that said, I would gladdly volunteer for duty with a PRT in Afghanistan. I am a CGSC grad and was DA selected for promotion to Major (O4) in 1993, but as an AGR officer in the NYARNG, I was not promoted. Promote me and I’ll go. Also, I was retired, not for medical reasons in 2003, yet I have not been payed for my last 3 yrs of Active Duty service, and I am still owed over 4 years of back retirement pay. Therefore, I wish to be considered for PRT duty, at the grade of O4. Please put my name on the top of the list to deploy to Afghanistan. As a patriot and former Combat Engineer officer familiar with “nation building”, and “winning the hearts and minds of the locals”, while serving in Central America. I’m packing my rucksack, so send me my orders to go.

CPT Wasneechak, USA, retired

By: Randy

Randy — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:38:36 +0000

I think the option to utilize retired military personnel to fill shortfalls abroad is a great idea on a volunteer basis of course. Maybe a better idea would be to offer the retired military members an opportunity to backfill military billets here in the CONUS and or other OCONUS locations so the GI’s there could be utilized in the combat theaters of operations. Either scenario or a combination of both could work.

Another option would be to voluntarily bring retiree’s back to a “limited role active duty status” to backfill the G.I. positions. Set some limitations on how long they can / will serve and identify what roles they won’t be allowed to serve in, e.g. direct combat related positions, etc, etc.

By: jack mcmahon

jack mcmahon — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:03:52 +0000

Its a no brainer. I would go tomorrow. Heck i would have gone yesterday. Its hard to discern where to find those who are ‘looking ‘ for us?
Straight pay, no additional retirement benefits needed so they don’t have to worry about messing with DFAS retirement schedules etc and that should quiet the ‘double dipping inevitable argument’ (yes from those who wouldn’t think of going even if you could double -dip), since retirement benefits are for what you have already done, and a straight salary pay would be paying you for what you are doing now .
And these cultures respect thsoe who have made it to older years.
MY two cents.

jack mc

By: Andrew Colon, Colonel, USAF (ret)

Andrew Colon, Colonel, USAF (ret) — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:00:36 +0000

As a retiree I would gladly work for the DOD in the AOR. I’m a trained physician assistant with over 30 years of experience, a twice squadron commander, a deputy medical group commander, interim medical group commander and IG. I will more that happy to work in the medical field in any capacity.
Andrew Colon, Colonel, USAF (ret)