Guest editor of a Special Issue of CIA’s Journal of Intelligence Studies commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The issue features authors “who were there” when the law was first drafted, passed, and then implemented (https://www.cia.gov/resources/csi/studies-in-intelligence/studies-in-intelligence-68-no-5-special-edition-irtpa-20-years-on-december-2024/)
Guest Editor
Want to reform the federal government? Start with career execs
Career senior executives are a national asset, not tools (or property) of any one agency head. It’s time to manage them as the valuable resource they are.
The Trump Administration: A Survival Guide for Civil Servants (Part 2)
Below is the complete ‘Survival Guide for Civil Servants’ by Mike Mears and me, Ron Sanders. Provided in full text form, it offers some tips (we call them ‘Rules’ but they are NOT binding on anyone) that we recommend to civil servants, senior and otherwise, in order to survive this particular presidential transition. They’re based on our experience over at least nine such transitions, both ‘friendly’ and hostile, as senior civil servants who’s careers depended on what we did, and while we cannot guarantee that following them will always lead to success (or survival), we do offer them for your consideration. Have fun, and of course, let us know if we can be of assistance to you individually.
The Trump Administration: A Survival Guide for Civil Servants (Part 1)
Elections have consequences, and our most recent one is no different. Among other things, it will bring new political appointees to leadership positions in an agency, and career civil servants are duty-bound to follow their lawful orders. That’s as it should be in a democracy, but there’s obviously much more to it than that, and Government Executive has published some ‘Survival Rules’ from two longtime civil servants to follow in that regard. Their complete ‘Survival Guide’ can also be found at www.publicavirtu.com and on other related sites.
Holding Civil Servants Accountable: Merit, Fealty and the U.S. Civil Service at a Crossroads
American civil servants are hired, promoted, and (in theory) fired based on their merit, but that principle may be under fire, and ironically, the intrinsic motivations of those in its crosshairs–that is, civil servants themselves–many be its only hope.
Ensuring the Accountability of the Federal Civil Service—An Urgent Call to Action
In a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of several key congressional committees (like the House and Senate Armed Services Committees), the five authors, all former senior leaders in national security (in alphabetical order, CIA Director Mike Hayden, DHS Deputy Secretary Jim Loy, Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell, Deputy Secretary of State AMB John Negroponte, and Navy Secretary Sean O’Keefe) argue that a resurrected Schedule F could harm our country, and they propose a ‘third way’ that can ensure greater accountability amongst civil servants, while still protecting them from partisan political influence.
Biden administration locks in plans aiming to block Schedule F for good
In an effort to prevent a Schedule F revival, OPM has published a final rule confirming workforce protections and appeals rights for career civil servants.
See Drew Friedman’s thoroughly researched and well written story on the infamous Schedule F on today’s Federal News Network newsfeed below. She interviewed me for the story, and I’m quoted in it (that’s clearly one of the reasons I like it so much😁), but more importantly, I worry that folks will read the piece and conclude that the battle is over. It’s NOT! There are too many things that a second Trump Administration could do to undo the OPM rule and resurrect Schedule F, including things that are borderline legal–and then let all this just play out in friendly courts, including SCOTUS. So IMHO, we should continue to raise the alarm–even at the risk of “crying wolf”–and I for one will continue to do so.
Why plugging leaks sometimes means protecting leakers
Congress needs to establish a form of amnesty that, where appropriate, provides an exit ramp for individuals who have unwittingly violated the terms of a security clearance and wish to come clean. Read more at NextGov/FCW’s news feed (https://www.nextgov.com/ideas/2024/04/why-plugging-leaks-sometimes-means-protecting-leakers/395378/)
Senior Executives Association Board of Directors Election
It’s been brought to my attention that not all my fellow SEA Board of Directors candidates have access to Linked In, so out of fairness and respect to them, I’ve taken down my ‘election campaign’ post on that social media platform. However, I would still encourage all SEA members who read this to go vote for the candidate(s) of your choice, as the Association remains the only independent voice of career federal execs—and those who aspire to be—and deserves our support. If you have any questions, feel free to reach me through Linked In or this Web site. The deleted post follows.
Today’s job seekers want things our current system cannot provide
Congress is considering legislation that will enable federal agencies to better compete in a labor market that no longer exists, with tools (and assumptions) rooted in an obsolete, tenure-based system that doesn’t address the needs and wants of many of today’s job applicants.