Joint Base Journal Vol. 4, No. 11
March 22, 2013
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J OINT B ASE A NACOSTIA-B OLLING
www.cnic.navy.mil/jbab
Navy officials present framework on addressing budgets cuts, furloughs BY PAUL BELLO JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY PAUL BELLO
Tom McGuire, executive director for Naval District Washington, discusses pending budget cuts and the possibility of government furloughs during a town hall meeting at the Bolling Club March 20.
JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, D.C. – A heavy contingent of employees from Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) turned out in force March 20 for an important town hall meeting at the Bolling Club to hear discussion on the looming Department of Defense (DoD) budget cuts, which include a mandatory reduction in force (RIF), as well as the possibility of government furloughs stemming from sequestration. Tom McGuire, executive director for Naval District Washington (NDW), stated there’s close to a billion dollar shortfall for the Commander, Navy Installation Command (CNIC) come 2014 if government sequestration were to stick. To prepare the NDW workforce for the hard times ahead, McGuire noted that several measures have already been taken to alleviate some of that pressure.
While performing their own cost analysis, McGuire and his team found that NDW was spending more money than it actually had in certain areas. As soon as that problem was solved, budget analysts turned their attention to reshaping the overall region and began downsizing by voluntary means rather than involuntary. “Our first step was to reduce management overhead. Once that was accomplished, we began to reduce overtime,” McGuire said. “We made a lot of progress there, as it was discovered that NDW was spending nearly seven million dollars in overtime. That number is now two million.” The third step was regionalizing some NDW functions – not its employees. Examples were fire, emergency communication dispatching and explosive safety. This approach, as McGuire explained, would allow for the core job to get done by using the least
See FURLOUGHS, Page 6
Air Force Band wraps up Guest Artist Series BY CHIEF MASTER SGT. JENN PAGNARD U.S. AIR FORCE BAND
WASHINGTON - The third and final concert of The U.S. Air Force Band’s 2013 Guest Artist Series was a wonderful event with inspiring performances by country legend Lee Greenwood, the Air Force Orchestra, and the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants, led by Col. Larry Lang. The concert was hosted March 19 by the assistant vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force and former Air Force District of Washington commander, Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc, and his wife Sharon. Following the concert opener
Smart Grid energy management keeps the lights on at the right price Page 2
with the precise presentation of the national colors by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, Gorenc offered eloquent and heartfelt remarks. The Concert Band got the crowd into a patriotic mood with “American Salute” and “Daughters of Texas.” Senior Master Sgt. Christine Germain and Master Sgt. Ryan Dolan thrilled the crowd with their rendition of “Wheels of a Dream” from the musical “Ragtime” with lyrics that speak of the American Dream. The Concert Band’s “Hoedown” was the perfect transition to a country music medley featuring soloists from the Singing Sergeants. This medley included the songs “Life is a Highway,” “Born to Fly,” and
the inspiring Trace Adkins tune “Arlington.” After a short intermission, Lee Greenwood and the Air Force Orchestra took the stage opening with a tribute to the Statue of Liberty and the Pledge of Allegiance. Throughout his extensive set, he performed many of his hit songs, like “Please Come to Boston,” “McDonald’s and You” and “Wind Beneath My Wings.” An accomplished saxophonist, he interspersed his singing with instrumental interludes. He also added wonderful stories and folksy conversation between
See BAND, Page 6
INSIDE
Distinguished guest charms audience during Women’s History Month luncheon Page 3
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY SENIOR MASTER SGT. KEVIN BURNS
Guest artist Lee Greenwood performs the final Guest Artist Series concert with the Air Force Orchestra at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
AAFES Express undergoing renovation to protect public health, safety Page 6