Hagel talks sequestration with Joint Base Charleston civilians

Published July 17, 2013
By Michael Dukes
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/17/2013 JOINT BASE CHARLESTON S.C., -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel discussed sequestration and defense budget cuts with several hundred Air Force civilian employees at Joint Base Charleston at a town hall today at the conclusion of his tour of the base.

He opened the discussion by thanking the entire military family - those in uniform, the federal civilians that support them, and the families.

The Secretary said the purpose of his South East United States tour of military bases was to visit the "real people." To see real people and acknowledge real people for what they do, Hagel added.

"I also came out to have an opportunity to address all of you and explain things at a difficult time and answer questions you have," Secretary Hagel said. "You deserve to have your leaders to be with you, to come out and talk to you and to listen to you."

"You all have given your lives to this country," Hagel said. While acknowledging the team effort and dedication at the Defense Department's main job - "Securing our country."

Secretary Hagel explained the "unpleasant process" of reviewing the entire Defense budget and deciding what was vital to the primary mission and what areas savings could be found.
"It is unfair wrong to do this to families, to people who have given their lives to this country," the Secretary said of the sequestration. "We were able to trim the initial 22 furlough days to 11."

"We are still trying to find ways to make it better," Hagel added.

"You needed to know from me why I made the decision," the Secretary told everyone at the town hall.

"The worst thing to any institution or individual is uncertainty, but that's where we are -Uncertainty of what is going to happen," Hagel said. " We're just at the front end of the consequences."

The Secretary said that he hoped Washington can come together before the start of the 2014 fiscal year.

"I am aware of consequences of losing certain skill sets in our civilian force," Hagel said.

"Sequestration is a mindless, irresponsible process. You know it, and I know it," Hagel said as he looked around the room at several hundred civilian employees in attendance - civilians who support the missions of the 628th Air Base Wing, the 437th Airlift Wing and the 315th AW.

"I want to thank you again and I know this is difficult. I see the pain and understand it," The Secretary added.

Lt. Col. Mark Pool, a Reserve pilot with 300th Airlift Squadron, is also a civilian who wears an Air Force uniform during the week as an Air Reserve Technician. He asked the secretary about the budget effects on TRICARE and TRICARE Reserve Select, and if officials have considered having that as an available federal health benefit option for civilians in his situation.

"TRICARE is a big area," the Secretary responded. "Congress sets the law on this. Generally TRICARE will continue to be part of the larger mix."

"To be able to fulfill the commitments we have made to you, we are going to have to make some adjustments," Hagel said. "Whether its copays, or in pharmaceuticals there will be some changes if we do it smartly, and start doing it now."

The secretary concluded in saying that he's uncertain what budget impacts the future holds but he will work hard to limit the impact while continuing to accomplish the military mission of Security for the United States.