Editor’s note: This column is intended to provide answers to workforce members’ concerns about the ongoing and upcoming commercial activity studies at West Point.

Anyone wishing to submit a question for this column can send it via e-mail (yi9121@exmail.usma.edu), regular mail or call 938-3883. This week’s answers were provided by the academy’s Directorate of Resource Management.

Q: Why weren’t the IT (Information Technology) and DRM function studies announced like other studies on post?

A: The logistics, custodial, public affairs and museum studies were part of USMA’s five-year commercial activities plan which was approved by the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. The Program Analysis and Evaluation Directorate conducted an independent assessment of the USMA POM (FY02-07) and as a result USMA was provided additional funding throughout the POM years. However, they recommended that USMA conduct management efficiency reviews of the Resource Management and Information Technology functions.

Q: What effect will the DRM and IT studies have on people who perform those functions in areas that are already under study, like DOL?

A: The Resource Management study will be completed by April 23. The command expects to make a decision on any recommendations by the end of April, which will provide sufficient time to adjust the Performance Work Statement for DOL to prevent folks from being studied twice. This all depends on the recommendations received and the decisions made by the command.

The command has decided that no employee will be studied twice. The results of the IT study are due in June, again providing plenty of time to adjust the DOL study. The command has also agreed to exclude the resource management and information technology employees from the DOL PWS, pending the outcome of the studies. That’s another way to prevent employees from being studied twice.

Q: If USMA is getting $20-$30 million in out years, why are we looking at cuts in personnel?

A: The funding provided to USMA in the out years is for the buy-out of the USMA backlog program presented to the Department of the Army. The money will be used purely for projects and revitalization of the infrastructure and for the overall mission of the academy, so it can compete with other Tier I universities out there. That’s why the whole increased funding is being referred to as "competitive sustainment level."

Personnel cuts associated with the Quadrennial Defense Review initiative are to be achieved through the A-76 study of the functions affected, e.g., the custodial and DOL functions.

Q: If DHPW is announced as a CA study in the future, will the custodial function, which is now part of DHPW, be included and possibly studied again?