Number 04-18 Sept 10 - 17, 2004

From the Desk of David Snyder

The Senior Army Workforce Management Office is continuing to refine the Senior Army Workforce Concept. Briefings to senior Army leaders on the G Staff and Secretariat have been completed, along with briefings to the Major Army Commands and a variety of other organizations. Most senior leaders responded affirmatively to the general concept. We have received comments as well concerning specific concerns and are ensuring that these concerns are addressed as we refine the concept. A Stakeholders Workshop is being planned for early FY 05.

The SAW concept implementation timelines are being synchronized with those of the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). NSPS concepts pertaining to pay banding and pay for performance/contribution systems effect the detailed planning for implementation of SAW. The detailed conceptual design of SAW is in a strategic pause to ensure that NSPS provisions are incorporated appropriately.

Visit the SAW webpage for additional information on the program.

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The Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) 2004 Open Season Begins!

The FEGLI 2004 Open Season started on September 1! Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the FEGLI Program, this Open Season allows eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in the FEGLI Program or change their FEGLI coverage WITHOUT answering any medical questions, having a physical examination, or providing marriage or birth certificates.

As the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director, Kay Coles James, said,

"While no one likes to think about the need for life insurance, we all want to be sure our loved ones are financially protected - to the best of our ability - should something happen to us. This life insurance is a cost-effective way to achieve that goal."

Here are some advantages of the FEGLI Program and this Open Season:

• Group premiums and payroll deduction.
• No age restrictions.
• Free Extra Benefit automatically included in Basic for enrollees under age 45.
• No medical questions to answer; no physical examinations.
• You can elect coverage up to the maximum available - no restrictions.

Visit http://www.fegli2004.opm.gov for additional information.

Please note that new coverage elected during this Open Season has a delayed effective date. The website contains details.

Remember - this FEGLI 2004 Open Season ends on September 30, 2004.

(Petra Casipit/(703) 325-9984 or DSN 221;
E-mail: Petra.Casipit@us.army.mil)

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New Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Position Classification Flysheet
for the Customs and Border Protection Series, GS-1895

The OPM has released for application a flysheet establishing the new GS-1895 series, Customs and Border Protection. The new series primarily supports the Department of Homeland Security's transition to the "one face on the border" concept. It combines the Immigration Inspection series, GS-1816 and Customs Inspection Series, GS-1890. The series includes positions that detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United States, enforce and administer laws relating to immigration, and enforce laws relating to the importation and exportation of merchandise. The Department of the Army has several active GS-1890 Customs Inspector positions in Korea. A review of the Army positions indicates that they do not involve the combination of work characteristic of the new GS-1895 series. However, supervisors of those positions should ensure the position descriptions are current, review the new flysheet (available at OPM's website: http://www.opm.gov/), and consult with the local Civilian Personnel Advisory Center if changes are needed. OPM has also issued a qualification standard for the GS-1895 series and is currently working to upload the qualification standard to their website.

Classification POC:
(Lois Richter/(703) 325-1336 or DSN 221;
E-mail: Lois.Richter@us.army.mil)

Staffing POC:
(Shelly Heath/(703) 325-4245 or DSN 221;
E-mail: Shelly.Heath@us.army.mil)

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Submit Your Nominations Now!

The Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO) is seeking nominations for the 2004 GEICO Public Service Awards. Nominees will be judged principally on the impact of their work or non-work related contributions in the following areas:

1. Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.
   
   
2. Fire Prevention and Safety.
   
   
3. Physical Rehabilitation.
   
   
4. Traffic Safety and Accident Prevention.
   
   

GEICO will honor four active and one retired Federal employee from the four fields with a $2,500 cash award, an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a commemorative plaque. For further updates and additional information visit GEICO's website at http://www.geico.com/insproducts/fedpsa.html.

Nominations will be forwarded through command channels to the Executive Secretary, Army Incentive Awards Board, ATTN: DAPE-CP-ESO, Room 2C453, 300 Army Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 203l0-0300 no later than October 18, 2004. The Army Incentive Awards Board will review all nominations for the GEICO Award. Points of contact are Marvol Alexander and Joann Holmes; contact information is listed below.

(Marvol Alexander/(703) 695-5698 or DSN 225;
E-mail: marvol.alexander@hqda.army.mil)

(Joann Holmes (703) 695-5692 or DSN 225;
E-mail: Joann.Holmes2@us.army.mil)

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Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay (VSIP) for FY 05

On September 13, 2004, the Department of Defense allocated to the Department of the Army 8,135 VSIP buyouts to be used during FY 05. Distribution of the allocations will be made to the MACOMs once the requested requirements are received.

(Beth Helmer/(703) 325-9974 or DSN 221;
E-mail: Beth.Helmer@us.army.mil)

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Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program: Participation Requirements for Employees Retiring During a Period of Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP) Or Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA)

The OPM has issued Benefits Administration Letter (BAL) 04-208, dated September 8, 2004, which updates the policy on waivers for the FEHB participation requirements for employees who retire during a period of VSIP and VERA. This BAL sets new procedures for employes retiring with a VSIP or VERA to have pre-approved waivers of the 5-year participation requirement.

Those retiring in conjunction with VSIP or VERA must have been covered under the FEHB program:

1. For the last 5 years of their Federal civilian service in order to continue such coverage in retirement, or
   
   
2. If less than 5 years, for all service since the employee was eligible for these benefits, unless these requirements are waived.

For more detailed information, go to http://www.opm.gov/asd/htm/bal04.asp to access BAL 04-208.

(Juanita Benton/ (703) 325-8738 or DSN 221;
E-mail: Juanita.Benton@asamra.hoffman.army.mil)

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National Security Personnel System (NSPS)

On September 17, 2004, Working Group members concluded their efforts to explore options and alternatives that will provide the basis for the NSPS design. A pre-decisional summary of some of the design options being considered have been posted on the Office of the Secretary of Defense NSPS web site at: http://www.cpms.osd.mil/nsps/index.html.

Army has just concluded an initial series of NSPS Town Hall Meetings. Twenty-four sessions were conducted worldwide. Attendees received information on the current status of NSPS, key milestones, and were given the opportunity to ask questions. The latest version of the briefing charts used for these briefings may be found at the following link: http://cpol.army.mil/library/general/nsps/index.html.

On September 10, officials from the Department of Defense and the OPM met with a coalition of union officials. This was the fourth in a series of consultation meetings. A separate meeting was held on September 9 with the non-coalition union representatives. The focus of the September 10 meeting was on the potential design options for the human resources system. Discussion centered on pay banding, pay for performance, and hiring.

(Tim Burcroff/(703) 325-1585 or DSN 221;
E-mail: Tim.Burcroff@us.army.mil)

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Army Civilian Human Resources (CHR) Worldwide Conference 2004

The Third Annual Army CHR Conference took place in Nashville, TN at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center from August 9 through August 13, 2004. Approximately 245 Army employees came together to explore the new horizons in Army CHR today. The program focus was on implementation of the NSPS and Military to Civilian Conversion. During the week, featured speakers included: the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Manpower and Reserve Affairs; the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Civilian Personnel Policy; and NSPS Program Executive Officer. The conference briefings are posted on the Army Knowledge Online (AKO) website: https://www.us.army.mil/. After log in, click on the KCC tab, next click Army Communities, Personnel, Civilian Personnel, and finally click CHR Worldwide Conference 2004. (The National Security Personnel Slides are not posted due to their sensitivity. The Army web site for NSPS may be found at http://cpol.army.mil/library/general/nsps/index.html

(Annette Good/(703) 325-6639 or DSN 221;
E-mail: Annette.Good@us.army.mil)

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Please Note:   Publications and events offered by commercial sources are published here for the convenience of the Bulletin reader and are not endorsed by the Department of the Army.

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ON A PERSONAL NOTE

"Well, here's the latest. I retired effective September 1, 2004. I'm really looking forward to it. I would like to say thank you to each and everyone of you with whom I have worked, corresponded, coordinated, etc. Working in the National Capital Area was a wonderful experience. I really enjoyed myself and learned so much from each and every one of you. And now you are probably wondering what I will be doing upon retirement! Sit down? No, not me. I'm embarking on an entirely different career. My sons and I have opened a restaurant! It's a sports bar/restaurant named Dawgz N Jacketz (sort of appropriate for Georgia where we have the Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets). Our menu centers on the best hotdawgz in the South! And I could go on and on, but guess it would be cruel since you are there and the restaurant is here. But, if you are ever in this neck of the woods, I would love to see you. Thanks again for everyone's kindness and support. Y'all come."

Joy Tootle      

This section of the bulletin is dedicated to providing information regarding retirements, promotions, deaths, etc. of those in our civilian personnel community. If you have information of this nature you would like included, please contact the editor at the address below.

(Juanita Benton/(703) 325-8738 or DSN 221;
E-mail: Juanita.Benton@asamra.hoffman.army.mil)

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Editorial Policy:

The bulletin editor encourages you to share your opinions, ideas, and suggestions. Comments and feedback from both individuals and organizations are very welcome. All correspondence must have the name and location of the originator in the event there is a need to reach the author for additional information. Final approval for Publication will be made by the Chief, Operations Office. Please forward comments, suggestions, or news items for publication to Cindy Perry, the editor. Her e-mail address is Cindy.Perry@asamra.hoffman.army.mil.

OPERATIONS OFFICE ATTN: DAPE-CP-ESO (Cindy Perry) 200 Stovall Street Alexandria, VA 22332-0300 FAX: (703) 325-9050 DSN: 221-8739; COM (703) 325-8739 Cynthia K. Perry Chief, Executive Support Office

This is a Functional Bulletin prepared in accordance with AR 25-30. It contains official information of importance to the Civilian personnel community of the Department of the Army. The information in this bulletin expires 60 days from the date of publication

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the U.S Army of these Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sites, the U.S. Army does not exercise any editorial control over the information you find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD Web site.

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