In a memo posted yesterday, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, discussed what will be happening to civilian naval workers when and if sequestration takes place.
Today, 186,000 Navy Civilians serve in every state and 20 countries overseas. I have seen firsthand your dedication, pride and unwavering commitment and I appreciate your steadfastness through this challenging time, wrote Admiral Greenert.
The Navy plans to furlough civilian personnel if sequestration begins March 1. If that happens, the furloughs will begin in late April. According to a powerpoint presentation from the Navy, the sequestration will impact all Navy civilian employees with rare exceptions.
Congressional (and union) notifications were sent out this week. All impacted employees will receive 30 days notification of the furlough process.
Furloughed employees my not substitute paid leave or other time off for the time they are furloughed and may not work from home or onsite as a volunteer. The presentation said they furlough will be for 20% decrease but the decision of how this was to be made would be at the discretion of the local commanders to determine hours/time dependent upon mission requirements.
Admiral Greenert’s memo ended with:
The Navy will remain on the front line of our nation’s efforts in war and in peace. Navy Civilians will continue to play a critical role in those efforts, even in the face of budget uncertainty and fiscal challenges. Thank you for the incredible work you do each and every day, and for carrying forward our more than two-century tradition of warfighting excellence and resilience.
The Seattle area, especially areas like Whidbey Island, home of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, have a very large military presence and with that, a large federal civilian workforce. This will be a huge blow to the local economy.
Unless agreement is made on the budget and funding by Congress, this sequestration will take place. I suggest that you make your feelings known on this process with your representative or senator today.
About the author: Fred Chamberlin is a senior loan officer with Guild Mortgage Company in Oak Harbor. He has been in the mortgage origination business for over 20 years and in the lending business for over 30 and authors a number of mortgage related blogs.
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