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

SN Alan West — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 19:04:17 -0500

This Sunday, November 9, 2014, on 60 Minutes VA Secretary Bob McDonald will give an interview in which he states that they have identified over 1000 who do not fit the values and culture of the VA and need to go. Since they are government employees they have to go through an administrative process in which the VA has to prove they deserve to be fired what are your thoughts on this?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 7:14 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 19:14:01 -0500

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.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2014 9:24 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 21:24:10 -0500

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.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 24 at 2015 1:35 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 13:35:36 -0400

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.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 2:38 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 14:38:00 -0400

Are those identified doctors? Or are they part of an overly-redundant back-office bureaucracy folks who's positions could all be filled by one person?

Sorry, I just don't think that approval for my annual physical needs to be approved by 5 different people.