Air Reserve Technicians / Mandatory Military Uniform

**Tempest** · 09-28-2007, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Fivetears

(IMHO) are PAID DIFFERENTLY while performing duties in each program. I enjoy my civilian status... and the appearance of it.

Well that's nice-let me bring down to earth real quick. Some enemies of our country (both foreign [Al-Queda] and domestic [Tim McVeigh wannabes]) would consider you 'political cadre' or support or logistical services for a military branch. I got rid of the illusion a long time ago that working as a civilian -in civilian clothes-in the Federal Government meant I didn't run some risks because of who I worked for. There are built in risks-maybe not like driving a HUMVEE in Ramadi or being some DEA agent in South America but still an additional risk as opposed to being some District Manager for WalMart or some office manager for a FedEX office.

Your not a civilian-civilians don't raise there right hand and take an oath.
Your not a civilian-your a Federal worker and you get ALL the baggage that comes with it.

I know what I am talking about 2 workers from my agency in Hawaii went back to Oklahoma. One had their life snatched away by Tim McVeigh and the other one survived with a screwed up back and nightmares.
This was the biggest terrorist act in the U.S. in terms of casualties before 9/11 and the Department I work for -HUD- suffered the highest casualty rate.
And all we are involved in is housing.
McVeigh considered my former co-workers 'collateral damage'.

You are part of the United States Federal Government.

Your not a civilian.

**Fivetears** · 09-29-2007, 05:01 AM

First, let's not drag the dead and injured innocent of the Oklahoma Bombing, its horrific tragedy, and global terrorism into this issue. Let's compare apples to apples, friend. Yes, we Federal Government Employees are all targets; I agree.

What troubles me Tempest is you appear to have created a misshapen mental mold that produces both a US Federal Government employee... and a member of the US Military. If that’s your perception of all individuals who create, maintain and protect American democracy... might I recommend a college course in American Government such as GOVT2305 (Federal). While you’re at it, Freshman Composition ENGL1301 wouldn't hurt either.

I am an American US Federal Employee.
I am a member of the US Air Force Reserves.
I am not an Active Duty member of the US Air Force.

I prefer to keep my uniforms neatly pressed and in my closet, awaiting my next Reserve drill. If I'm needed in a uniform full time to defend this fine country, no problem; activate me. That's why I'm here.

Originally Posted by Tempest

...You are part of the United States Federal Government. Your not a civilian.

**Fivetears** · 04-29-2008, 10:34 PM

Air Force Times
By Seamus O’Connor - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Apr 28, 2008 6:08:29 EDT

A conglomeration of union chapters representing Air Reserve technicians has filed a civil suit against Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne, attempting to overturn the decision requiring ARTs to wear military uniforms while in civilian capacity. Lt. Gen. John Bradley, chief of the Air Force Reserve, implemented the change Aug. 7 to the dismay of many of the service’s roughly 10,000 ARTs. The new policy took effect immediately but was fought by many of the 6,600 unionized ARTs. An online petition collected over 2,700 signatures. At the time, Bradley dismissed objections to the new policy, which he said was an idea of his to improve Total Force interoperability. This is not a negotiation about whether we're going to do it. The decision is made. We're going to do it," he told Air Force Times. The ARTs fighting the policy worried that wearing their uniforms in their civilian capacity would put them under the jurisdiction of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and that it could create chain-of-command issues, as ARTs may hold higher military rank than civilian rank. On an emotional level, many ARTs took umbrage to the tone of an April 18 memo introducing the change. The memo suggested that putting ARTs in uniform full\ time would ensure good order and discipline, especially among the maintenance workers. The lawsuit challenges that the policy change was arbitrary and capricious and opposed by U.S. statute. Neither Wynne, nor officials at Air Force Reserve Command nor counsel for the plaintiffs could be reached immediately for comment.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/20...wsuit_042408w/

**Fivetears** · 06-16-2008, 04:50 PM

Arbitrator Rules Against Air Force Uniform Requirements
An arbitrator has ruled in favor of a group of Air Force reservists at Whiteman Air Force Base who complained that a new Air Force regulation unfairly forced them to wear military uniforms while in civilian status performing civilian duties. The complaint was filed by Air Reserve Technician (ART) employees and their union, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). They said the new military dress rules—established in 2007—threatened their ART dual status and violated their union contract. The arbitrator ruled that “the record contains no demonstrable evidence about the practical positive effects [of wearing uniforms], if any, on ARTs’ civilian work duties or the Air Force’s mission.” AFGE applauded the ruling. “This costly, ridiculous tactic of the DoD to manipulate and control federal civilian employees has failed,” AFGE President John Gage said in a June 10 statement. “To imply that one needs to wear a uniform in order to be patriotic and ‘fit in’ is absurd.” To see more, go to: http://www.afge.org/Index.cfm?Page=P...sReleaseID=860.