Diversity Thursday: NAVAIR Edition

I was going to take a pass on DivThu this week as, well, I tire of the topic.

That being said, one of my spies with the best eyes sent this along, and being that so perfectly hits so many of the "I told you so" spots - and VADM Dunaway sent it on THU - I feel, in a way, obliged.

So, we all know about the budget planning scrum going on right now.  

"Mission Essential" eh? A little selective methinks. Scroll down and wait for it ... I think the Left-handed Lithuanian-American Lesbian Podiatrist of the Year Awardee will not be pleased.

-----Original Message-----
From: NAVAIR Commander
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2013 13:48
Subject: UPDATE: Mission_Essential Travel, Hiring and Conferences

To all NAVAIR,

Yesterday, I released an all hands email on FY13 budget planning and impacts of a potential year-long Continuing Resolution. In response to your questions, I've asked NAVAIR Competency and PEO leadership to provide the following amplifying guidance, in accordance with Navy direction. We will do our best to keep you informed and respond to your questions as additional details become available.

VR,
VADM David Dunaway

//

* HIRING:
Consistent with Navy direction, OCHR has issued a hold on all new hiring actions and those hiring actions currently in process, pending Navy-level approval of Command hiring plans. These plans are due to Navy leadership by 25 January. In the meantime, we will execute hiring actions where an official job offer has been made in writing on or before 14 January 2013. Additional guidance will be provided to hiring managers when available.

* MISSION ESSENTIAL TRAVEL:
All non-mission essential travel and training should be minimized to the greatest degree possible. From now until 1 April, the first Flag/SES in the chain of command will determine whether travel is mission essential travel, based on the following "mission essential" categories. In these cases, only the absolute minimal number of attendees required to accomplish objectives should travel.

- Travel in direct support of critical warfighting and fleet operations (wartime operations, NATEC tech reps, FRC artisans repairing aircraft in the field)

- Travel which directly relates to Safety of Flight (mishap investigations, engineering investigations, etc.)

- Critical technical / milestone events to maintain program cost/schedule/performance (SETR events, government personnel required to witness formal test events, resolution of critical hardware and software technical issues, etc.)

- Command-directed support (contractual oversight, major weapon system negotiations, litigation, Command IG investigations, financial audits, etc.)

- Professional/statutory training driven by certification requirements (DAWIA certification, etc.)

- Military Personnel (selection board support, medical necessity)

- FMS-related travel

* CONFERENCES:
Below is the guidance for 2013 Conferences. Any exceptions or additions require Level 1 and AIR-00 review and approval.

- 43rd Annual Collaborative EW Symposium: Postponed until April 2013 or beyond

- NAVAIR Acquisition Symposium: Postponed until April 2013 or beyond

- International Aviation Logistics Improvement Team: Continue planning; only FMS-funded travel is authorized

- International Military Helo Conference: No Attendance

- Black Engineer of the Year Award Ceremony (BEYA): Follow CNO decision. If approved, attendance is limited to the absolute minimal number of individuals necessary to accomplish objectives.

- Propulsion Safety & Affordable Readiness P-SAR/Augmentor Design System Meeting: No Attendance

- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE): Follow CNO decision. If approved, attendance is limited to the absolute minimal number of individuals necessary to accomplish objectives.

- Sea Air Space Expo: Follow CNO decision. If approved, attendance is limited to the absolute minimal number of individuals necessary to accomplish objectives.