Gutierrez to Commerce Workers: Iraq Volunteers Needed
The call has gone out from on high at the Department of Commerce for a few good men and women.
Supporting President Bush's request for federal workers to volunteer for a year's work in Iraq to aid the ongoing reconstruction effort, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez sent an agency-wide memo last week imploring department workers to sign up for a year in Iraq.
"I am asking all Commerce employees to consider supporting this important effort," he wrote.
Gutierrez frankly noted that volunteers would work "under challenging circumstances with access to few amenities." On the bright side, he said, they "may" be eligible for overtime pay -- "35 percent hardship pay and up to 35 percent danger pay differentials." (Read the full memo after the jump.)
But it seems that the tepid early response to the secretary's appeal for volunteers in facets of commerce -- from banking and business development to budget and public administration -- may echo the larger struggle Bush has faced since announcing a plan to double the number of overworked civilian reconstruction teams in Iraq.
Since Gutierrez sent the memo five days ago to all roughly 39,000 Commerce employees, he has received just 40 responses. The department won't say how many -- if any -- of those responses were "yes."
"All were interested in getting more information about the opportunity," Commerce spokesman Richard Mills said, adding, "We've been pleased that department employees have helped in Iraq and we expect that to continue."
At least one agency within Commerce, the National Weather Service, seemed less than enthusiastic about lending its forecasters to the Iraq rebuilding effort.
"By pulling people out of the weather service, that would be a degradation of service," National Weather Service spokesman Dennis Feltgen, a career employee, explained. "We don't have the surplus of meteorologists who would be able to just drop everything and go overseas for a year."
Asked if he would oblige the Commerce secretary's request to help the Bush administration achieve its goals in Iraq, Feltgen paused and said, "That is a decision that the individual would have to make personally. It's a personal decision."
Him personally?
"No, I will not consider it," Feltgen said.
Mills, a political appointee, shares Feltgen's sense of privacy when it comes to the question of serving in Iraq.
"I'd just prefer not to comment about my own personal situation," he demurred.
FULL TEXT OF GUTIERREZ's MEMO:
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL COMMERCE EMPLOYEES
From: Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez
Subject: Search for Commerce Employees to Staff Provincial Reconstruction
Teams in Iraq
President Bush's new strategy for Iraq includes the expansion of our civilian presence throughout the country by doubling the number of Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT). Ten new PRTs, supported by U.S. military units, will bring together outstanding civilian experts to complement our military presence, with dynamic programs that promote business development, assist local governments, and help accelerate the transition to Iraqi self-reliance.
I am asking all Commerce employees to consider supporting this important effort. The Department of State is seeking highly motivated, action-oriented, resilient people with a strong desire to assist in the Iraqi rebuilding effort. Volunteers must demonstrate willingness and ability to work in a difficult foreign environment under challenging circumstances with access to few amenities. Prior military or Peace Corps service, or extensive experience living in a developing country is strongly
preferred. Volunteers may be eligible for additional pay such as up to 35 percent hardship pay and up to 35 percent danger pay differentials. Postings are for 12-month assignments.
This is truly a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of ordinary Iraqis. Bringing the expertise of Commerce employees to a nation in need, such as Iraq, will promote job creation and growth, thereby helping to keep our troops and our Nation safer. It will also hasten the day when we can stand down, as Iraq stands up.
A list of positions that the Department of State is looking to fill in Iraq is available at http://home.commerce.gov/osec/iraq_job_list.xls. Positions of particular applicability to Commerce employees may include: Business Development Specialists, Banking Advisors, Economists, Microfinance Specialists, Budget and Fiscal Specialists, and Public Administrators. However, this list may not be exhaustive and interested Commerce employees of any background should consider applying.
If you have any questions, please contact ... [Commerce contact name, phone number and e-mail deleted.]
Interested Commerce employees should first gain supervisory approval before sending their expressions of interest and resumes. Additional information on this opportunity may be found online at: http://www.careers.state.gov/opportunities/iraq/reconstruction.html.
By Mary Ann Akers |
May 8, 2007; 6:45 PM ET
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Posted by: plc7c | May 8, 2007 7:12 PM
Gutierrez should set the example by being the first to volunteer.
Posted by: Jim Tewes rj2z | May 8, 2007 8:53 PM
The Commerce Department employees have proved themselves! Now send them to work in the White House and give them all Presidential Medals of Honor. That's the Republican way.
Posted by: mikeasr | May 8, 2007 10:05 PM
Civil Servants are taxed at about 40% of all wages earned in Iraq. Yes, that includes the 35% foreign differential and the 35% Danger Pay as well as Over Time. I know, I've been there 3 times with DOD. Until congress puts Federal Employees on equal tax footing with the military and contract employees in Iraq I don't see an inccrease in willingness to serve there.
Posted by: Danny | May 9, 2007 11:47 AM
Danny brings up a good point. If that is true it is a great story. How about it, Sleuth?
Posted by: Viejita del Oeste | May 9, 2007 1:01 PM
I don't know what else you could say, besides disheartening, that only 40 out of nearly 40,000 people even asked for information. But, as has been noted in numerous stories, this is not a war that people are involved in; only a (relatively) limited few are involved.
Posted by: Dungarees@gmail.com | May 9, 2007 3:35 PM
While the salary/benefit difference between military and civilian is understandable (different benefit packages, etc.), Danny is correct that USG employees (non-military) subject to tax on their salary, the differential, the danger pay, and any overtime. Conversely, private contractors in Iraq are (as well as private citizens working overseas) are tax emempt for the first $70,000 of their income (actually, more than that). Is there any reason that non-military USG employees should consider volunteering for Iraq? For the several opportunities for leave (vacation)? For the adventure? For God, Country, and Her Majesty? What's missing in the equation of USG employees is that many of the USG employees in Iraq (and Afghanistan, as well as at Embassies/consulates in numerous other locations) are "support staff", lower graded than many believe.
Posted by: Dungarees@gmail.com | May 9, 2007 3:42 PM
I think Bush needs volunteers because he knows that soon Congress will make him bring the troops back home. He wants to be stubborn and try to finish a problem he created, so now he's asking citizens to volunteer. Bush, if you want to continue with this reconstruction effort that is going nowhere, you go. Put YOUR life on the line if you're so passionate about it.
Posted by: Alana | May 9, 2007 3:47 PM
There has been a Bill in the House (since the 107th Congress I think) to put USG employees on equal footing with the military. Hasn't made it out of the Ways and Means Committte. Maybe this one Sponsored by Davis (VA) in the house and Warner? (VA) in the senate will go somewhere. I hope they make it retroactive. Its the fair thing to do.
Posted by: Danny | May 9, 2007 3:59 PM
Naide vido nada.
Posted by: Philip V. Riggio | May 11, 2007 5:19 PM
Looks like they're running out of people to bribe to go to Iraq.
Posted by: Jan | May 12, 2007 6:18 AM
It's not about money (though I take the point about tax treatment - will these Commerce employees lose Washington locality pay as well? currently about 16% of base pay and tax-free!).
Reluctance to "serve" reflects a failed and failing policy and the fact that it is impossible to accomplish anything "civilian" in a war zone. What's the point of putting your life on the line in order to sit in some godforsaken base camp for 12 months? It's all about political cover for the Administration.
Posted by: Peter | May 12, 2007 10:34 AM
Did you say good men and women? And I believe they should be good enough to play the sacrificial lambs without question!
Give me a break. If that is another way of proving this patriotism gimmick, then Bush and his club of psychopaths should give us a break!
Posted by: Herbert-Jean Awuor | May 21, 2007 2:31 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
There are probably a bunch of employees in the Inspector General office at Commerce that will need a job shortly! Hopefully the memo went to them too.