JBSA-FORT SAM HOUSTON –
The effects of sequestration are beginning to appear across Joint Base San Antonio but leadership's aim is to minimize consequences to unit readiness and continue to take care of our military members and their families.
According to Army Col. Jim Chevallier, deputy commander for Joint Base San Antonio and 502nd Air Base Wing vice commander, the time has arrived when reduced funding in the Department of Defense starts to impact the installation support services that are provided to the JBSA community.
"Bottom line the funding available for installation support services in support of the JBSA community is $48 million less than the requirement," Chevallier said.
The strategy to date has been cost avoidance - either delaying a planned activity, or suspending certain contracts.
For example, Chevallier said a planned move of a portion of JBSA-Fort Sam Houston's outdoor recreation and the auto craft services; both scheduled for this year, will not happen until next fiscal year.
These types of strategies promise a $25 million savings, but Chevallier said another $22 million in savings must be found with just five months left in this fiscal year.
According to Chevallier "it is a challenging task because there are over 200 organizations with over 200 unique and important missions across JBSA, but leadership believes the additional savings can be found in areas that do not impact wounded warrior programs, continue to provide for public safety, maintain uninterrupted support for overseas contingencies, and to the extent feasible protect family programs and the services most directly associated with unit readiness."
Examples of ongoing initiatives include less grass cutting across the installation, less frequent janitorial services, changes to operating hours at fitness centers, libraries, swimming pools, along with increased fees for some morale welfare and recreation activities. Additionally only facility emergency work orders impacting life, health and safety will be executed.
Sequestration will necessitate a few gate closures and reduced hours, explained Matthew Barido, 502nd Security Forces Squadron deputy provost marshal.
"Security forces will do what they can to shift patrols to the gates to manage flow, if there is an opportunity on a case-by-case basis," Barido said.
The other side of the sequestration coin is the potential furlough. According to Chevallier, if the Department of Defense initiates furlough, additional modifications to installation support services are in the works.
"Army Medicine is still in the process of a rigorous analysis to recommend what reductions may be necessary to achieve the prescribed goals," said Jaime Cavazos, public affairs officer for U.S. Army Medical Command, Directorate of Communications.
Cavazos stressed MEDCOM's aim is to minimize the consequences of sequestration to operations and personnel, while maintaining the highest level of patient care possible.
Pharmacies and the military treatment facilities could be affected differently depending on staffing, although some adjustments with capacity during furlough days could result.
The Defense Commissary Agency implemented several measures, including a hiring freeze in February, curtailed official travel for all conferences, training and any other events and activities considered noncritical. The agency also cancelled its May case lot sales for overseas commissaries including Hawaii and Alaska.
"If a furlough day is implemented, commissaries would close one additional day per week, in addition to their current operating schedule," said Kevin Robinson, a public affairs specialist with DeCA.
Part one Sequestration. . .