New VA Secretary has identified over 1000 people who "need to go". What do you think?

I applied for a newly SES created position with the VA about 15 months ago to help them identify and manage their VA-wide risks. I worked up a SWOT analysis and realized that their internal unwillingness to confront their cultural problems at the senior level and insular nature was one of their biggest problems. (The other big problem included their toxic relationship with Congress, the Press and veterans' service organizations.) My recognition was realized during the interview process -- the other SES-level people with whom I interviewed wanted someone who "got along and was willing to not rock the boat." It was apparent that problem identification and denial was very much the order of the day...

I have gone the local VA hospital and been impressed with the professionalism and level of care. I have worked with excellent VA employees who helped me refinance my home, transfer my education benefits to my daughter and work through my disability claim.

I am hoping that the 1000 who need to go are more of former -- those SES officials who created or fostered a culture of corruption -- than the latter -- the many terrific and professional VA employees who are the "face" of the VA to many veterans and their families.

As long as they don't mess with Tucson VA's system I say go for it. Tucson seems to be doing it right, but I am comparing them to Phoenix, so what do I know.

Not surprising to me, SN Alan West. We discussed the relief of senior leaders at the VA, and I maintained at that time that it was more than just the top-top leaders. There are bound to be lower level employees who contributed to the major problems at VA. Identifying them and being rid of them are two very difficult tasks. It appears, from what you wrote, that half of that job (or at least part of that job) is done: they have identified problem employees. I see that as a promising sign.