Page 20 - The Technician October-November 2017 Flip Book

Cover Story
The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has One major difference this time around is that Section 574,
passed the Senate and the House. It is now awaiting
signature by the President to be enacted it into law. We expect it to be signed into law very soon. Certainly before the end of the year. Each Fiscal year (FY) the NDAA
unlike past reviews of the technician program, requires “consultation” from the unions that represent technicians. ACT included. Although time will tell concerning what DOD considers “consultation” just the fact that ACT will have
sets policy for controlling how the Dept. of Defense spends funds appropriated by Congress for each FY. The NDAA always includes many policy initiatives and reporting requirements that Congress feels are important in it’s over sight of DOD.
Section 574 of the 2018 NDAA requires the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) to conduct a review of several aspects of the Dual-status technician programs authorized under Title 32 §709 and Title 10 §10216 thru §10218. The purpose of the review is to define the mission and requirements of National Guard and Reserve Technicians-to identify means to
Section 574
The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has passed the Senate and the House. It is now awaiting signature by the President to be enacted it into law.
statutorily required input into this review of the technician program is a major accomplishment. This is not by accident. We believe ACTs Capitol Hill rallies and other efforts to educate Congress on the problems with the technician program are paying dividends. Congress finally recognizes that we have valuable input into decisions concerning the technician program.
Past reviews / studies of the technician program have normally been restricted to the general functioning of the program and its administration. The review under section 574 will finally address concerns rank and file technicians have had for decades- compatibility, the ability reach retirement age , enlistment bonuses etc. This time Congress has set specific elements that must be addressed by the SECDEF when completing this review. Many of these elements are at the heart of many of the issues facing our members as they try to make a career as a technician and also as Guard members.
The first element includes a review of the extent of technicians being assigned military duties
improve management and administration of the technician workforce - to identify means to enhance DODs capability to recruit and retain National Guard and Reserve Technicians and to assess the current career progression tracks for technicians.
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inconsistent with, or of a different nature than, their civilian duties and how this situation effects unit readiness and technicians career progression. This element basically encompasses the compatibility requirement question. If you have worked as a technician for any length of time you know
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