Dear Wyoming Military Department employees and families, As we continue through week two of the government shutdown, I wanted to first follow up with a message to all those affected by our required furloughs. Currently, we have been able to bring back to work some of our employees whose role and responsibilities fit into some very specific categories defined by the Department of Defense as directly supporting and affecting our national defense. This was enabled by an analysis of the “Pay our Military Act,” completed by the Department of Defense this past weekend. Unfortunately, the Act did not allow us to bring the entire workforce back. Furthermore, even though we have some employees back, we are not conducting business as usual. We are still limited in our ability to perform our complete mission due to the lack of appropriations. Regrettably, starting this week, we also had to furlough state employees whose positions were supported financially with federal money. It was a tough decision to carry out, but I greatly appreciated the dignity our employees demonstrated during the process. Knowing that this is not an easy time for the families affected by the furloughs, I want to ensure that each of you are receiving the care and benefits you deserve and instructed my staff to put together several events where our professionals in the Servicemen, Family, Employer, Readiness Support Team and experts from the State Department of Workforce services are available to answer your questions. I thought it appropriate to feed you while this was occurring and as such, we will have a furloughed staff support event in Guernsey on Wednesday night this week and another at the Air Guard Dining Facility in Cheyenne this Thursday. I know that these events will not ease the ongoing turbulence at home; however, we remain a team and I want to check in with you and ensure that we have helped to the maximum extent that we can. To our traditional members, I want you to be aware that we are currently operating under a limited capacity. We have had to delay drill dates in October, most travel has been restricted due to lack of funds, and our readiness to conduct missions in Wyoming and for the United States is impaired. I know the Soldiers and Airmen of the Wyoming National Guard want to do their jobs, but the shutdown is preventing you from doing that. Thank you for your continuing faith in and support of our organization. I know that this furlough is causing lots of issues and I continue to work with the other TAG’s and our state and national leaders to bring you all back to work as quickly as possible. For those who were furloughed and we were able to bring back, thank you for your positive attitude and for the efforts you are making even with the distraction of the shutdown. I thank you for your energy and strong work ethic; you have all set a great example for others to follow. Finally, remember that our role is unique – we serve the State and Nation as Guardsmen – ready and willing to drop whatever we are doing immediately to respond. Our role remains key to our community and does not, and will not, change because of this partial Government shutdown. Thank you for what each of you do, we are all better for it. Ride for the Brand! MG Luke Reiner
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 20:34:40 +0000
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