Letters

Burned Out

"Breaking Ranks" was a very insightful article regarding the problems within the Reserve forces (January). Being regular Army, I never thought I would be sympathetic to the Reserve and National Guard, but the Iraq situation has changed my opinion.

An article in a local paper, referencing a Reserve unit called up for active duty, stated that reservists would have to furnish their own underwear, sidearm holsters, cell phones and Global Positioning Systems, and upgrade their armored vests at their own expense. I was always under the assumption that once called, those units immediately came under the same regulations as the regulars in terms of supply, financial, medical and other support.

I am afraid that our military forces are burned out, and it will be many years before the problem is fixed. The military is whistling in the dark if it keeps saying that retention and enlistments are on target in active duty, reserve and National Guard units.

No Quick Fix

I work in an office in one of those government buildings built in the 1930s that has mold and water stains on the ceiling ("Cold Comfort," December 2004). Every time we have a big rainstorm, the General Services Administration sends someone to empty the coffee can that catches the leaks. This is not an exaggeration.

The absences resulting from mold allergies are not part of the cost that GSA calculates in deciding not to fix the leaks. The temperature issue is insoluble, because there is no insulation in this building. When the sun shines, we are hot; when it is cold and cloudy out, we are cold. Having a static temperature is not within the realm of possibility.

Resumix Roulette

I believe the emphasis is misplaced regarding automated human resources systems ("Processing People," December 2004). Every time I hear these systems applauded, it is always with regard to increased speed of recruitment. The emphasis should be on candidate quality, not how fast we can get the list to the manager. In my opinion, the Resumix system the Army uses tends to reduce the quality of the pool of candidates by eliminating good people from consideration for positions.

For example, the system only allows one version of a person's résumé to be in the system at one time. Many employees with numerous years of service, however, have a variety of skills and can qualify for multiple types of positions. The system reduces the number of potential applicants by not allowing employees to tailor their résumés for the actual position.

Decent Behavior

The article dealing with the head of the Federal Communications Commission and a radio show host was very interesting ("The Buzz," December 2004). This radio show host verbally attacked FCC Chairman Michael Powell and wrongfully claimed that Mr. Powell got his job only because his father is the great Colin Powell. This radio show host acts the bully because he cannot defend his vile, vulgar, venomous and virile-chauvinistic program.

Chairman Powell is to be commended for his stance in favor of high decency standards. And I for one thank him.