Command Sponsorship Program Information
COMMAND SPONSORSHIP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What are the new command sponsorship policies and provisions?
A: Based on recommendations from the task force, the USFK commander instituted a revised policy regarding command sponsorship program management on 30 Nov.
The policy focuses on prioritizing positions to ensure the command maintains continuity and institutional knowledge where it needs it, thereby increasing combat capability.
Positions in Korea will be placed into three priority groups. Key leadership billets will be considered priority one. Billets where it is important for mission effectiveness and combat capability to have increased continuity will be priority two. All others will be considered priority three.
The new policy enables the command to more accurately determine current wait times for the various areas in Korea. This will be communicated up front with anyone coming to Korea so they can make decisions affecting their families equipped with the most accurate information possible. Each member will be counseled on their options by their chain of command.
These new policy changes will immediately improve transparency and predictability while ensuring we maintain maximum mission effectiveness.
2. How many people are in each priority grouping? Does this mean that priority three individuals will probably not be able to come to Korea on command sponsored tours?
A: The numbers will be reviewed quarterly and adjusted to meet mission readiness needs. Our goal will be to continue to offer command sponsorship to everyone we can based on the infrastructure and support limitations in the various locations. Unfortunately, there will be people in the priority three group who will be unable to come to Korea on command sponsored tours in the near term. It will take up to18 months to smooth out the demand for CS that matches our available infrastructure.
The current numbers for command sponsored positions in 8th Army by category are:
Priority one: 277 (7%)
Priority two: 3093 (83%)
Priority three: 370 (10%)
These numbers are based on the current available positions. There will be adjustments made based on the reality that not all Soldiers who fall into priorities one and two will require command sponsorship. Commanders (O6 level) will have the flexibility to allow command sponsorship within his/her command based on their management of the program.
The new policy enables the command to more accurately determine current wait times for the various areas in Korea. This will be communicated up front with anyone coming to Korea so they can make decisions affecting their families equipped with the most accurate information possible. Each member will be counseled on their options by their chain of command.
Our goal is to let Soldiers know early on in the assignment process what the opportunity for command sponsorship is in their location so they can make decisions that affect their family equipped with the best information possible.
3. Will special allowances be made for people coming off of deployments?
A: We have provided some flexibility that enables commanders to consider those within the priority three group based on deployment history and other remote assignments. We recognize how hard it is to be separated from family members for an extended period of time and have taken this into account in the policy. The commander also has the flexibility to give weight to dual military, junior personnel, single parents and those on consecutive overseas tours.
4. There has been much frustration with the process voiced by Soldiers and family members. What went wrong?
A: The response to tour normalization in Korea has been overwhelming, with many Soldiers and families wanting to come to the Republic of Korea. This has, unfortunately, exceeded the command’s current capacity for command-sponsored tours resulting in long and unpredictable wait lists.
5. You state that the goals of the task force is to create a fairer and more transparent process while improving combat capability by allowing key Soldiers to come to Korea with their families. How does increasing the number of people that will jump to the head of the line make it a fairer system?
A: There are a number of goals that we wanted to achieve with the new policies. The command had to provide commanders with more flexibility to account for operational readiness requirements and continuity in determining CSP allocations. At the same time, the command also wanted a process that was transparent and predictable so families know what to expect when the receive orders to come to Korea. The new policy balances these two goals.
6. When will the new policies go into effect and how will this affect the current wait lists?
A: The new policy will go into effect Nov 30. Soldiers will submit applications requesting command sponsorship. As we make our way into the Priority #2 category of members who meet the mission needs for continuity, we have found that some Soldiers on the current wait list will fill those Priority #2 slots. Our intent is to honor the current wait lists to the maximum extent possible, but recognizes that some Soldiers may not receive approval until too close to their DEROS.
7. If I took advantage of the Korea Assignment Incentive Pay or Assignment Incentive Pay to allow more time to get my family to Korea, how will that impact my position on the list?
A. The revised CSP policy is now better synched with the KAIP and AIP. Management of both CSP and KAIP/AIP is with O-6 level commanders. The authority to approve any incentive pay is at the local level.
8. Can you ensure that nobody loses their place on those lists as a result of the changes?
A. Our goal is to create a transparent and predictable process so families know what to expect and where they stand based on mission readiness needs. While the command matches those on the wait list with the priority two positions, it can still mean a delay of up to 18 months before command sponsorship is awarded. It will likely take up to 18 months for the revised policy to smooth the demand to match the current infrastructure at the various locations in Korea. The revised policy will bridge the gap while we continue to build the infrastructure and support to make full tour normalization a reality
9. How soon will everyone on the current wait lists be assigned command sponsorship? How long will they have to wait?
A. The policy provides more flexibility for commanders to meet mission readiness needs and critical task accomplishment when allocating command sponsorship. While the command matches those on the wait list with the priority two positions, it can still mean a delay of up to 18 months. It will likely take up to 18 months for the new policy to smooth the demand to match the current infrastructure at the various locations in Korea. The revised policy will bridge the gap while we continue to build the infrastructure and support to make full tour normalization a reality
10. What is the current status of command sponsorship in Korea?
A. We have increased the number of command sponsored families of all services from about 1,800 in 2008 to over 4,400 currently. We will further increase to 4,636 families during this fiscal year. Unfortunately, we do not have the infrastructure to allow everyone to bring their families to Korea now. The reality is that tours in Korea are still largely unaccompanied despite the tremendous progress we’ve already made. In September, 2010, the Secretary of Defense restated his support for tour normalization and asked the command and services to continue to grow the number of families in Korea, taking into account the feasibility of existing infrastructure, resources and available funding. Although it will take time to build the appropriate infrastructure to support the increasing number of families, the command is dedicated to making full tour normalization in Korea a reality. These new policies will bridge the gap while we continue to build the infrastructure and support to make full tour normalization a reality.
11. How long is the wait list and how does it work? How long do people wait on average? In other words, how big was the problem?
A: There are several hundred people on the various wait lists for the different areas and by service component. The average wait time varies by area, but it can be up to 18 months.
12. Who was on the task force that reviewed the CSP policy?
A: The task force was made up of senior officers from various specialties, as well as the command sergeant major; the team had representatives from commanders, personnel specialists, public affairs and the staff judge advocate; each service was represented. The USFK commander meets with the team regularly and is very engaged in making the right policy that meets the mission readiness needs and continuity for the command, while considering the impact it will have on the families who have been waiting many months. The revised policy will include the right amount of oversight and governance to ensure the program is managed fairly while providing commanders some flexibility, along with the authority, to maintain readiness while taking care of their people.
13. A number of people have complained about the complexity of the process, or frustrations with their packages being lost. Do you think you fixed this problem?
A: Yes. The new policy simplifies the process and provides a lot more predictability and transparency for families wanting to come to Korea. The new system places the application process in the hands of local commanders. This will make the application process much more responsive to applicants. Soldiers will also be informed much earlier in the process whether they qualify for command sponsorship based on current circumstances. Armed with this knowledge, Soldiers will be better prepared to make decisions about requesting command sponsorship.
14. From what we understand, each of the services determines how they will allocate command sponsored positions. Did this change? If not, how can you provide any consistency?
A: The policies we adopted still allow the services and commanders to allocate command sponsored positions to best meet their operational requirements and mission needs for continuity and will be reviewed quarterly. However, we established a number of principles and policies to ensure the maximum amount of predictability and transparency as part of that process. The revised policy will include the right amount of oversight and governance to ensure the program is managed fairly while providing commanders some flexibility, along with the authority, to maintain readiness while taking care of their people.
15. You have been selling Korea as the assignment of choice while encouraging families to come here. Have you oversold it?
A: Korea is a wonderful place for families to come. It is an overwhelmingly positive experience. The reality, though, is that tours in Korea are still largely unaccompanied despite the tremendous progress we’ve already made. Unfortunately, we do not have the infrastructure to allow everyone to bring their families to Korea now. In September, 2010, the Secretary of Defense restated his support for tour normalization and asked the command and services to continue to grow the number of families in Korea, taking into account the feasibility of existing infrastructure, resources and available funding. Although it will take time to build the appropriate infrastructure to support the increasing number of families, the command is dedicated to making full tour normalization in Korea a reality.
16. Who made the decision to convene this task force…and why?
A: The decision was made by the USFK commander. There was clearly some frustration with the process and the established wait lists. The response to tour normalization in Korea has been overwhelming, with many service members and families desiring to come to the Republic of Korea. This has, unfortunately, exceeded the command’s current capacity for command-sponsored tours resulting in long and sometimes unpredictable wait lists.
The goal of the task force was to create a fairer, more consistent, and more transparent command sponsorship process that meets readiness needs of the command. We think we have met that goal.
17. How did the task force conduct its work? What was its methodology?
A: While I don’t want to get in to the specifics of the task force’s work, I can tell you that it met multiple times each week and that it is considered all aspects of the command sponsorship policy. The task force’s work was closely monitored and overseen by the USFK commander who ultimately decided on the policies that would be adopted.
18. What is the primary limiting factor that prevents you from allowing more people to come to Korea on command sponsored tours?
A: There is not a single limiting factor and it varies based on location. Primarily, infrastructure and support services are what are limiting us. We are committed to building the infrastructure, over time, to allow full tour normalization in Korea. In fact, we have a housing study taking place at Osan/Humphreys right now and data from that study will help us to address future housing needs as we move south.
19. Who is ultimately making the decision on who gets approval for command sponsorship and who doesn’t?
A: Service component commanders have the authority to manage the wait list based on mission readiness and continuity. They also have the authority to approve or disapprove KAIP and AIP for those same reasons. These new policies will bridge the gap while we continue to build the infrastructure and support to make full tour normalization in Korea a reality.
20. Is the Air Force and Army process for awarding command sponsorship similar? Did the Navy and Marine Corps process change?
A: While service component commanders have the authority to manage and approve CS, each service has their own nuances to administering the program. By and large, the process for the Navy and the Marine Corps did not change. I would refer you to the specific service component for details.
21: I signed up for the Assignment Incentive Program (AIP) in anticipation of receiving command sponsorship. If I don’t want to remain in AIP because I won’t receive CSP, my I opt out of AIP and will I have to pay back the money I have already receive?
A: No, you can be command directed out of AIP and will not be required to repay previous AIP payments.
22: It appears that mostly officers and NCOs who benefit from the new policy. Who decided what positions would be made Priority 2?
A: One goal of the new policy was to create a Command Sponsorship Program that is transparent and reduces the wait list to those who realistically have a chance of being command sponsored with the limited resources currently available. With that in mind, Brigade Commanders were asked to compile a list of job positions that require long-term continuity prioritize those positions to best support mission accomplishment, another goal of the revised policy.
23: Not everybody who comes to Korea is married or wants to be command sponsored. How do you account for those positions? Will they just go unfilled?
A: No, for planning purposes the G1 assumed 55% of personnel who will fill those priority 2 positions will be married. That allows for commanders at the brigade level to manage unfilled priority 2 positions and allow for unfilled positions to trickle down to those who are priority 3. This system allows local commanders flexibility to balance mission accomplishment and taking care of Soldiers and their families.
24: What if I get promoted into a CSP supported position? Will I be offered CSP if I want it?
A: Local commanders have the flexibility under the new policy to make those kinds of decisions. The new policy encourages everyone in the process to anticipate changes and create a culture of predictability for everyone in the process.
25: What if I am already command sponsored and get moved into a position that is not CSP supported?
A: CSP becomes a consideration for everyone in the decision process for issues like this. Under the new policy, commanders will have the flexibility to do what is best for mission accomplishment and the welfare of Soldiers and their families.
26: If I don’t qualify for CSP, will I be able to re-apply for command sponsorship if my circumstances change.
A: Yes, the CSP process allows Soldiers to re-apply if there is a change in circumstances.
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| Date created: |
4/19/2011 1:02:13 PM |
| Date last updated: |
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