GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN--Maybe?

                              Mission Essential?  

                                                  

It galled me to hear comedians say, “Military Intelligence is an oxymoron.” For 20 years, I saw the fruits of such invaluable intelligence. What frustrated me even more was the use of the term “Mission Essential Personnel” in our many contingency operation plans for inclement weather, natural or man-made disaster, or government shutdown.  Without exception, those plans always said, “Only mission essential personnel need report for duty.”  Here is my analysis: 

The position description for every member of every unit was directly connected to the unit mission. Not every member (military and Department of Defense civilian) was designated as “Mission Essential.” In my mind, only two possible conclusions existed---(1) Too many personnel were assigned to the unit to support the mission or (2) The mission of the unit was of limited importance. That was then, this is now.

Threats and fears of a looming government shut down have produced discussions about such a shutdown not affecting “Mission Essential” employees. Further, conversations I have heard on radio/TV imply all affected government employees would be paid when the government restarts normal operation. Here are some of my opinions:

1.     The term “Shutdown” has ominous and, in my view, unwarranted suppositions. The fact is, military members will not abandon their duty stations, law enforcement personnel will not turn in their shields and weapons, aeronautical and maritime control members will not go on vacation and permit aircraft to fall from the sky or watch helplessly as tugs, ocean liners, oil tankers, and other water craft crash into piers or  other ships.

2.     Government shutdowns, as currently envisioned, are not without precedent. Recall: Presidents Ford-- 1 for 13 days; Carter-- 5 for 73 days; Reagan—9 for 56 days; Bush(H)—1 for 5 days; Clinton—2 for 50 days; and Obama—1 for 17 days. (VOX website). Remember, the world as we know it, did not end!  

3.     For all intents and purposes, the government shuts down every weekend. No one marches in the streets. No trolls crawl out on social media. And, no calls are made to talk shows demanding the government not close every Friday at 5pm. Today, the term “Government Shutdown” is now loaded with partisan political and desk pounding implications that border on the absurd. 

IF, the government shuts down, it might be an appropriate opportunity to objectively examine the true meaning of the term “Mission Essential."

Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday