Why are we under utilizing our own resources?

2014-02-18T00:02:19-05:00

Why aren't we utilizing soldiers in dining facilities and installation entrance gates? DoD has some serious budget cuts in the near future . Some of those will be taken from your benefits. I personally don't understand why we can't utilize our military cooks, police etc...instead of hiring additional civilians. Is it cheaper for the military to hire civilians on an installation? I hate to see our families lose benefits and other necessities because of budget cuts. Why not allow our soldiers to do these jobs?

Don't get me wrong, I have many civilian friends. Some who are contracted with very important jobs to do. Without some of these civilians, we couldn't do our jobs. I am more or less referring to cooks, installation security (could easily be done by military police) and other support MOS's.

Looking forward to feedback on this!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 12:08 AM

2014-02-18T00:08:54-05:00

This has been my question all along. It makes far more sense to use a Soldier to guard something or provide security when they have no other garrison mission. Why pay the Soldier to sit in his/her room or perform other mindless busy work, while paying a civilian to perform the duties the Soldier could be performing. If the mindset is that civilians can do it better, why not contract those tasks out and do away with the Army MOS. Of course I am not advocating this because then we lose needed skillsets to perform the Army's REAL mission, which in case we have forgotten is still combat operations. Just my 2 cents.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 12:09 AM

2014-02-18T00:09:45-05:00

I agree with you we should use are personal better then what we do, it would help a lot with all the budget cuts. I believe that we hire a lot of civilians to do these job to help out the community.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 6:56 AM

2014-02-18T06:56:07-05:00

I agree with you half way. Gate guards are fine, MPs are trained for that. I LOATHE the idea of putting skilled soldiers in the DFAC to work as kitchen patrol or pots and pans. The day unskilled laborers come to my place of work to perform unskilled labor, (FOD walks, general housekeeping, heavy lifting, etc.) is the day I will be fine with sending my crew chiefs to wash pots and pans. Until then, keep unskilled civilians mowing lawns and washing pots and pans.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 7:57 AM

2014-02-18T07:57:19-05:00

I think that change is coming. When 9/11 happened and the posts closed, we had Soldiers guarding the gate, then after the deployment rotations became a norm, civilians were hired, now that the drawdown is happening, I've seen in the last year more and more Soldiers in the gate. Not sure about other services like DFAC and all.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 11:37 AM

2014-02-18T11:37:34-05:00

Here on Peterson AFB we have already cut ~30 civilian guards. As we return to a garrison environment I think we'll return to the pre-surge military roles.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 11:44 AM

2014-02-18T11:44:15-05:00

SPC Monaco

The Civilian roles on posts became a bigger issue when the wars initially kicked off. When I first joined, MPs and detailed Soldiers pulled security at the gates, cooks cooked, and kp was pulled. But as the deployments grew, and more and more Soldiers were needed in combat, the options became to either close facilities and shut down gates, or hire contracted civilians to do the same roll. It was a stop gap that i dont think was ever meant to be permanent, but we have been at war for so long that the need was continual. I do agree that they can begin the cuts and replace blue suiters with green suiters, its just going to take a minute for the powers to be to really implement it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 1:55 PM

2014-02-18T13:55:53-05:00

SPC Monaco, maybe that isn't happening in the Reserves where you are, but in my unit, we junior soldiers are already being tasked out for KP, gate guard, mowing, post police call, etc.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Feb 18 at 2014 3:35 PM

2014-02-18T15:35:28-05:00

It is a cost savings if and only if the soldiers who are freed from these labors are afforded additional time for training and missions where soldiers are actually required.