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Show Hilltop 2 COMMENTARY After all options reviewed, decision had to be made TIMES May 16, 2013 American Forces Press Service TIMES W 1 :1y Sin Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Charles Horton Standard-Examiner publisher Mary Lou Gorny Hilltop Times Editor Hilltop Times Krista Starker Correspondent Kim Cook Hilltop Times Correspondent Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To submit news items e-mail hilltoptimes@standard.net or call 801- 625-4273. For Classified Advertising, call 801-625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call 801-625-4388. The Hilltop Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under, and in compliance with, a Memorandum of Understanding with Hill Air Force Base. The content of the Hilltop Times does not necessarily represent the views of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill Air Force Base (collectively, the Government). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Government of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Standard-Examiner, 332 Standard Way, Ogden, Utah, 84404. Additional editorial content is provided by various military and civilian wire services and Hill Air Force Base public affairs departments. Call 801-625-4273 with story ideas or comments, or contact the editor, Mary Lou Gorny, at mgorny@standard.net . Call 801-625-4300 for Classified Advertising or 801-6254388 for Retail Advertising. HAWC Nest Fitness Tlp from the Health and Wellness Center Up to 12 weeks of FREE tobacco cessation medication is available to federal employees and up to 6 months is available for active duty, dependents and retirees when attending the tobacco cessation series. Call the Health and Wellness Center at 801-777-1215 for further information. ASHINGTON — In a message to the Defense Department workforce, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Wednesday explained why he "very reluctantly" decided that a historic budget shortfall necessitates up to 11 unpaid furlough days for most of the department's civilian employees between July 8 and the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year. Here is the secretary's message: To all Department of Defense personnel: As you are fully aware, the Department of Defense is facing a historic shortfall in our budget for the current fiscal year. This is the result of current law that went into effect March 1. It imposes deep across-the-board cuts on DoD and other federal agencies. Combined with higher than expected wartime operating costs, we are now short more than $30 billion in our operation and maintenance (O&M) accounts — which are the funds that we use to pay most civilian employees, maintain our military readiness, and respond to global contingencies. The department has been doing everything possible to reduce this shortfall while ensuring we can defend the nation, sustain wartime operations, and preserve DoD's most critical asset — our world-class civilian and military personnel. To that end, we have cut back sharply on facilities maintenance, worked to shift funds from investment to O&M accounts, and reduced many other important but non-essential programs. Still, these steps have not been enough to close the shortfall. Each of the military services has begun to significantly reduce Hagel training and maintenance of non-deployed operating forces — steps that will adversely impact military readiness. And even these reductions are not enough. Since deeper cuts to training and maintenance could leave our nation and our military exposed in the event of an unforeseen crisis, we have been forced to consider placing the majority of our civilian employees on administrative furlough. After extensive review of all options with the DoD's senior military and civilian leadership on how we address this budget crisis, today I am announcing that I have decided to direct furloughs of up to 11 days for most of the department's civilian personnel. I have made this decision very reluctantly, because I know that the furloughs will disrupt lives and impact DoD operations. I recognize the significant hardship this places on you and your families. After required notifications, we will begin Many served in different ways; deserve coming day of thanks BY COL. ROBERT LEPPER Commander, 309th Aerospace Maintenance Regeneration Group and I n 1949, shortly after the establishment of the Department of Defense, President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish Armed Forces Day. It was to be a day set aside for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their service to our country. Having deployed seven times, my family and I are very aware of the sacrifices our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines make each and every day. Each time they deploy, they put their lives on the line to ensure our safety, protect human rights around the world and ensure freedom for the United States and our allies. They do it as a matter of routine. Why? Because they know it is the right thing to do and they expect nothing less from themselves or their fellow comrades in arms. Last July, I became the commander of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at DavisMonthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz. After 31 years of active duty time in the Air Force, it was the first time I have ever been in a unit with a large number of government civilian employees. It didn't take me long to see the advantages of a workforce that didn't PCS around the country, or the world for that matter, every few years. The depth of experience that these technicians possess is truly amazing. Some of them had over 30 years of experience on these aircraft. Then I learned that 75 percent of the civilians were military veterans. I guess I shouldn't have been surCol. Lepper prised. They had already served their nation and they knew what it meant to sacrifice. Today, when I think of Armed Forces Day, I include them as well. So, to all the military members, federal civilians and their families, I send my personal thanks for your willingness to serve our great nation during a time of turmoil throughout the world. You have accepted the long work hours and the often-times harsh working conditions as just an inconvenience. You have missed many birthdays, anniversaries and other important events in your life to stand for what is right and to guard the world from tyranny. Your courage and conviction to sacrifice and face adversity and danger for the greater good proves you are men and women of the highest caliber. I am proud to be a member of the Armed Forces, standing side-by-side with those in uniform, our federal civilians and our families as we all work to keep this nation free. I salute you! the furlough period on July 8 at the rate of one furlough day per week for most personnel. We plan to continue these furloughs through the end of the current fiscal year. If our budgetary situation permits us to end furloughs early, I would strongly prefer to do so. That is a decision I will make later in the year. Furloughs for 11 days represent about half of the number we had originally planned, reflecting the Department's vigorous efforts to meet our budgetary shortfalls through actions other than furlough. There will be exceptions driven by law and by the need to minimize harm to the execution of our core missions. For example, all employees deployed or temporarily assigned to a combat zone will be excepted from furloughs. Your managers have been given authority to develop specific furlough procedures to minimize adverse mission effects and also limit the harm to morale and productivity. They will be in touch with you to provide guidance and answers. The president and I are deeply appreciative of your patience, your hard work, and your dedication and contributions to the critical mission of helping protect America's national security. I am counting on all of you to stay focused on this vital mission in the days ahead. As I said the day I assumed the responsibilities of Secretary of Defense, I'm proud to be part of your team and I'm proud to serve with you. Commmander on furlough updates BY LT. GEN. BRUCE LITCHFIELD AFSC commander T INKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. — I'm coming to you with news on furloughs — news that does not come lightly or without great personal impact to our workforce. The Department of Defense has announced that they will furlough most non-deployed civilians for up to 11 days. The Lt. Gen. Litchfield furlough period is scheduled to begin July 8, with one furlough day per week for most personnel. These furloughs will continue until the end of the current fiscal year. I know we were hoping for better news, and I encourage you to reach out to your co-workers to be good Wingmen. We are continuing to work with the community, banks, businesses and institutions to minimize the financial burdens caused by the loss in pay. Most importantly, I can't end this note without everyone knowing how proud I am of what we're doing to meet the warfighter's needs. Keep up the good work. Keep 'em flying ... it's what we do! THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2013 DUIs: 5 Hill's Last DUI: Warta 6 777-7000 Unit Involved: action.line.pa@hill.af.mil 72% ,16 eapteted 564.1d/too Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. Call 777-1111 to request a ride anytime. Hours of operation: Fridays-Saturdays 10 p.m.- 6 a.m. Sundays 9 p.m.-midnight. Phone numbers —The base agencies listed can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Security Forces 24-hr, Crisis Information Force Support Squadron Base Restaurants Retirement/Compensation (civilian) Equal Opportunity Office Employer Relations Military Pay Civilian Pay Air Force Suggestion Program Re-)ort suspicious activity via the AFOSI EAGLE EYES program Pia1: 777-3056 / 3057/ 3058. watch — Report - Protect Force Protection is Our Business Everyone is a Sensor - 777-9696 Hill Pride Hotline ......... ................ 777-7433 777-3056 Hill Straight Talk 777-5305 Public Affairs 777-5333 777-3056 IG Complaints Military Housing 825-9392 777-4134 (for appointment) 777-2043 IG Complaints 777- 5361 Maintenance 777-6142 Safety Office 777-3333 (after hours) 586-9300 Fraud, Waste or Abuse 777- 5361 Safety Office Hotline 777-5455 Sexual Assault Response 777-1985 777-7129 (recording) Coordinator (or) 777- 1964 1-877-885-9595 777-1851 Loud Noise Union 777-3257 (complaints) 777-6246 777-1852 777-4918 AFOSI Narcotics Hotline 777-6901 75th Medical Group Family Assistance Center 777-3090 Civil Engineering 777-1856 (when activated) SUICIDE PREVENTION ASSISTANCE Mental Health Clinic 777-7909 Chaplain 777-2106 Military OneSource (800) 342-9647 National Suicide (800) 273-8255 Prevention Line TriWest Crisis Line (866) 284-3743 TriWest Behavioral (866) 651-4970 Health Contact Center EAP (800) 222-0364 777-1163 Occupational Medicine Services Wingman Advocates 777-2255 |