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117 Arkansas Military Department employees to lose jobs


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Updated: 9/21/2012 2:10 am Published: 9/20/2012 3:25 pm
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - 117 employees of the Arkansas Military Department are being told that their jobs will be eliminated in the next 12-18 months, FOX16 has learned.

According to Major Chris Heathscott with the Arkansas National Guard, the job loss is a result of a change in federal regulations at the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, VA. The new regulations no longer allow state employees to perform tasks that solely support National Guard operations.

"Unfortunately, we are dealing with a pretty sensitive issue that is going to affect a lot people here in Arkansas," said Heathscott.

Some employees have been with the department for 20 years or more. They will be allowed to retire or accept severance packages based on years of service. Severance packages range between $800-$1600.

Federal legal experts say since the jobs support purely federal responsibilities, the jobs must be filled by a federal contractor under the revised regulations.

"It's not something you want to see. That's why we are working with workers. That's why we want to give them as much notice as possible," said Heathscott.

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Notetyme - 2/27/2013 8:12 PM
0 Votes
Question for any Marines out there. The outcome that I am about to speak of truly has been weighing in on my patriotic button and my pride for the U.S. Military. Once I graduated high school with (4)four years of R.O.T.C. under my belt prepareing for my 20 years of service in the United States Marine Corp, I immediately showed up at the local recruiters office. Mind you, I had been there previously during my final weeks of high school taking the required entrance exams. Well everything was going as planned up until my staff seargent and I arrived at the M.E.P.S Station (location withheld). Well we had just just completed our processing, the only thing left was a briefing and to be sworn in. Just as the briefing ended, a gentleman came to the entrance of the room we were all in and called my name and requested that I go with him. The next thing I knew, I was sitting in an office in front of this guy they called a doctor, who PERMANENTLY disqualified me from the U.S. Marine Corps as well as ANY other military branch due to a caterac surgery I had 4 to 5 years prior. I noticed that his eyes were as tangled as a ball of yarn. This brought me to tears nad then EXTREME anger. Upon my leaving, my staff seargent looked me in the eye and told me that I was STILL a MARINE in his eyes. SO, my question is this...AM I STILL A MARINE OR JUST A WANNA BE???? Marines...please respond as this is very important to me!!!! SIMPER FI!!!!

ravensp499 - 9/22/2012 2:38 PM
1 Vote
I too am retired from the Army as of 01 September of last year. I know alot of the people who will lose their jobs at Camp Robinson, I was stationed there twice. I sympathize with them and wish them well. I hope the powers that be can figure something out and work with the contractor who will take over those affected job. Also, if you've never been in the military and know that it's not a place to get rich but a source of pride you would never understand this topic fully.

Dude III - 9/22/2012 1:25 AM
0 Votes
yank once again you got it backwards yall are the "special" ones. that is what this is all about yall are "special" that is what caused yall's panty knot-up to begin with. remember i did not think yall were "special". guess what yank! i do now...............you fellows need to keep in mind....the people that anger you also control you.

ArkansasYankee - 9/21/2012 8:12 PM
0 Votes
Well, as long as I mentioned it; I'm inviting all Patriotic Americans to the USS Razorback Sunday for a service to begin at 10 am. I know it's church time, but I'm sure God will understand under the circumstances. I'd enjoy meeting some of my fellow veterans on here also. Leatherneck, itsjustme, bat, Butch, et al. And we don't give a rat's rear end what color you are, what religion you belong to, if any, or where you are from; as long as you Honor our fallen hero! It's all about Honor and Respect for this man.

ArkansasYankee - 9/21/2012 8:05 PM
0 Votes
Nice to have allies against ignorance, isn't it! Leatherneck; I'll be at the Razorback Sunday at 0900; a memorial service for a fellow veteran. Dude, you're invited too. My fellow Riders would love to hear your opinion of veterans! Hope you can swim! LOL

itsjustme - 9/21/2012 3:06 PM
1 Vote
DudeIII going to a battle of wits would be the same as a transexual going to a ding dong swinging match. Not properly equipped.

Leatherneck - 9/21/2012 2:56 PM
1 Vote
DUDEIII isn't in right now, his short yellow bus came by and got him. Someone needs to make sure he wears his helmet and does not play with the honey bees when he gets off the bus. BEEP BEEP.

ArkansasYankee - 9/21/2012 1:42 PM
1 Vote
Dude; I enlisted on the delayed entry program, I wasn't drafted. I did it that way so I could spend the rest of summer with my future wife before she went back to school; then I went in. As one person once said, you are indeed pathetic. Leatherneck and itsjustme; it's not nice to pick on "special" people! LOL And we could have a battle of wits with him, but he would be unarmed!

Leatherneck - 9/21/2012 10:46 AM
1 Vote
One more question for DUDE. It concerns benefits. I guess if you had served or if say, you worked and retired from a job and they gave you a retirement check each month, but took out a percentage, to pay for things you might have torn up, stolen,or for all the days you decided to leave early or just not show up, then it would be okay. But I guess since none of that pertains to you, then it will never happen. Yet another idiot that will vote for Obama, again. HUH DUDEIII So tell me, since it's DUDEIII that means there are two other yellow bellied cowards that never served their country that came before you. God I hope you got castrated so there wont be a DUDEIV. That's DUDE FOUR in case you didn't know.

Leatherneck - 9/21/2012 10:41 AM
1 Vote
YEs Arkansas Yankee I continue to make friends. To DUDE, my middle finger is pointing skyward, just like my right hand did many years over and over and over so your sorry behind can sit at home and suck on mommy. To its just me, I would love to meet you and the yankee. Dude I got injured serving my country, had I not I would still be there. I went in the year after high school, what did you do? Oh yeah, hung up on mommy, suction is a powerful thing. I was making a point that most servicemen and women don't know about. So therefore you DUDE wouldn't comprehend that. Semper Fi and, to the thieves out here in the Salem Congo area. I will get you and you won't be turned over to the Sheriff's Department.
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