Naval Reserve Association

30Reservists in ActionDedication of MeaningfulKorean War MonumentIn a ceremony on 27 May 2005, the Republic of Korea dedicated a veryimpressive Heungnam Evacuation Operation Monument in commemorationof the 55th Anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. The Heungnamevacuation, dated back to December 1950, has been remembered as one of themost successful and humanitarian evacuation operations in war history aroundthe world.Key to the evacuationwas the SS MeredithVictory which is the focalpoint of the monument(shown in the pictureto the left). GuinnessWorld Records LTDhas issued the followingcertificate: The SSMeredith Victoryp e r formed the greatestrescue operation by asingle ship by evacuating14,000 refugees fromHeungnam, North Korea,in December 1950.The ceremony and dedication honored the significance of the operation andall those who were involved in the rescue. Past President CAPT J. RobertLunney was there for the evacuation as a staff officer assigned to the ship andwas there with his wife Joan at the dedication.It’s Time to Restructure OurReserve Payment SystemBy CDR David Tyler, USNPersonal Award toCAPT Normand LussierA Life Member of NRADefense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC)Commander, RADM Linda Bird, USN, presentedthe Meritorious Civilian Service Award toNormand Lussier, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)Associate General Counsel, Business Integrity/IndustrialSecurity. Lussier is the principal DLA attorney responsiblefor providing legal services and support for the fraud andintegrity programs throughout the DLA Office ofGeneral Counsel. The award citation noted his significantleadership efforts, his contributions to the DLA andDSCC legal and acquisition communities, and hissupport of the DSCC CM/UPS program. (DSCC photoby Charles Moffett)Navy Reserve Sailors are increasingly tasked to perform workwithout compensation. A culprit in this encroachment ofunfunded work is none other than technology itself.Advances in Web-based tools have eliminated the burden ofperforming functions at specified geographic locations. For example,it is no longer necessary to perform General Military Training(GMT), submit requests for orders, write fitness reports, and somuch more at a Reserve Center. Without question, this hasincreased efficiency and reduced the demands of travel.However, the popular Internet tools have introduced a temptationto senior leadership that is too hard to resist. In many ways, thisis a tribute to the “can-do” approach of good leadership; but it’sbeginning to wear on the troops. To fulfill ever increasing trainingand administrative tasks, Reserve Sailors are routinely directed to“log-on” to tackle short-notice action items.The Navy Reserve has implemented numerous changes totake advantage of the benefits of technology. The authorizationto perform remote, off-site drills has been one such improvement.But, we need to continue the evolution, particularly in the waywe manage the accreditation and reimbursement for workperformed.If we want to implement effective business practices, we shouldadopt a business-like disbursement program. Federal employeescurrently use hourly increments for recompensing work performed.Each government employee is responsible for submitting a weeklytime sheet that accounts for the work performed. And, in turn,every two weeks, they are paid for the number of hours worked.The Navy should allow Reserve commands to manage their payin hourly increments.Commanding Officers are responsible for ensuring theircommands are ready. Hence, COs should be authorized tocontrol when and how work hours are used.Each Sailor should be authorized 288 work hours. This isequivalent to the amount of compensation they presently receive;that is, (48 periods x 4 hours) for IDTT and (12 days x 8 hoursper day) for AT. This improvement would cut down onshort-duration, uncompensated work and give more flexibilityto Commanding Officers for additional training efficiency.NRA NEWS/SEPTEMBER 2005