An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Due to the government shutdown, this website is not being updated.

AFDW Faces Round Two of Civilian Restructure

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chyenne A. Adams
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
1/11/2012 - AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON - --  Air Force officials announced 4,500 additional positions for elimination as a continuation of its fiscal year 2012 Civilian Workforce Restructure. This reduction builds on the realignments announced in November, including the elimination of 9,000 positions and the addition of 5,900 positions against the Air Force's top priorities. In addition, these reductions respond to the Secretary of Defense's direction to target civilian funding at fiscal year 2010 levels.

Maj. Gen. Darren McDew, Air Force District of Washington commander, addressed AFDW civilians following the initial announcement in November to discuss hiring cuts across the National Capital Region - 399 Air Force civilian positions, 157 taken from Joint Base Andrews. McDew reiterated that JBA and AFDW lost 157 positions - not people.

Air Force District of Washington faces 48 further reductions in positions in this round of cuts.

"We value our talented and experienced workforce and are trying to do everything possible to manage these reductions with as little impact to our people as possible," said Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the Air Force.

In an effort to encourage voluntary separations and retirements, the Air Force is currently offering its second round of voluntary separation incentive pay and voluntary early retirement authority programs. AFDW began implementation of this second round of VERA/VSIP for Air Force employees within the National Capital Region on Jan. 9, according to AFDW Civilian Personnel (A1).

Civilian employees received VERA/VSIP eligibility surveys from their personnel managers earlier this month and the applications are due no later than Feb. 3. This window is open to all AFDW-serviced permanent civilian employees to apply, unlike the first round where only employees in certain occupational series were allowed to apply. Approved applications will result in separations or retirements that take effect by April 30.

Air Force officials are still evaluating the need for a Reduction in Force.

"At this time, we are surveying the workforce for a second round of VERA/VSIP and are in the midst of management reassignments resulting from the first round of the restructure," said Brig. Gen. Gina Grosso, Director of Manpower, Organization, and Resources. "Once we exhaust all voluntary force management measures, a determination will be made whether or not a RIF is necessary. We hope to have more information in the spring."

This announcement marks the end of civilian reductions associated with the Air Force's FY12 civilian workforce restructure.

"Communication at all levels is essential to the success of this initiative," said General McDew. "To help minimize the stress and uncertainty associated with these reductions, we will provide regular updates announcing major milestones of the VERA/VSIP second round.

"In addition, several retirement seminars will be conducted in response to employee requests for more hands-on support," said the commander. "In the meantime, I encourage all employees to continue to visit the AFDW Civilian Workforce Restructuring website for current and upcoming products and tools to assist throughout this process."

Several seminars are scheduled this month at the Jacob E. Smart Conference Room, Joint Base Andrews that include an 8:30-10:30 a.m. briefing and noon-3 p.m. one-on-one counseling sessions Jan. 18, 20 or 25. The same briefing is available at the Pentagon Auditorium, Room BH650 from 8-9:30 a.m. Jan. 18 and 20 or 8:30-9:30 a.m. Jan. 25, with individual counseling sessions held those afternoons noon-3 p.m.

For more information, to review the application, or to check for further updates, visit the AFDW Civilian Force Restructuring website at http://www.afdw.af.mil/civilian.