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hile this year has brought about some positives affecting Civilian Technicians, there unfortunately has also been two major negatives. On the positive side:

a. As a direct result of effective lobbying/letter writing, 1950 non-dual status Army and Air Guard Technicians previously identified for removal in the 1998 National Defense Authorization Bill (NDAA) will now remain a part of the full time support workforce.

I wish to publicly commend those Guard Technicians who actively participated for their tireless efforts which resulted in this success. NDAA 2000 now authorizes a permanent number of non-dual status technicians not to exceed 1950 effective 1 October, 2001.

b. The Early Retirement Provision for all components which now provides new retirement criteria for military technicians (dual status) who are separated from technician service by reason of being separated from the Selected Reserves or ceasing to hold the military grade specified by the Secretary covered for the position held. (See early retirement article for specific information).

c. A 4.8 percent pay increase for general schedule military technicians in both their Civilian and Military Capacity. At the time of this writing we are uncertain as to the impact this provision will have on the wage surveys for wage grade military technicians.

d. A mandated costing process review to eliminate current inaccuracies that have resulted in both the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard reducing the number of military technicians (dual status) below statutory floors without corresponding force structure reductions or transferring funds from other appropriations simply to provide the required funding for military technicians (dual status).

e. A provision in law that now allows all non-dual status military technicians entitlement (if qualified) for a special disability retirement due to a military disability condition.

On the negative side:

a. Over 1500 Army and Air Force Reserve non-dual status technicians are still scheduled for removal. Four Hundred Army Reserve Technicians have been identified for removal by 5 April 2000.

It saddens me to say this but I attribute this loss largely due to the lack of active participation by most Army and Air Reserve Technicians in any letter writing or Congressional lobbying effort. While a small group of those 1500 Technicians affected did in fact actively participate and are commended for their efforts, most throughout the country did not. This fact, coupled with USARC/OCAR leadership (unlike the Guard Leadership) throwing these non-dual status technicians to the wolves by their presentation to Congress that non-dual status hurt readiness has in my opinion caused our defeat in this area.

It is imperative that all Reserve Technicians read the Article entitled "Time Is Running Out" and take the immediate action required regardless of whether you are currently dual status or non-dual status.

b. Another negative affecting all was the lack of our ability to obtain any support to introduce free standing legislative drafted by AFGE which would ensure that all technicians, if removed, prematurely obtain benefits they truly deserve.

The aforementioned describes only some of the most significant positive and negatives. It does however clearly indicate that together we can bring positive change and without unity we will be almost certain of defeat. We must all make a commitment today to become actively involved in our Council and Local when requested and required. K

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