"The primary goal of the federal personnel system should be the recruitment and retention of the highest quality workforce to serve the citizens of the United States," said Collins. "Unfortunately, the antiquated system now in place does not always achieve that goal."
Collins has worked with her colleagues on the committee to craft consensus proposal to reform the Pentagon's personnel system. Her legislation, would among other things, grant the Secretary of Defense the authority to offer separation pay incentives for employees nearing retirement, and offer special pay rates for highly qualified expert such as scientists, engineers, and medical personnel.
"The bottom line is, I believe that our proposal would give the Secretary of Defense the authority he needs to manage and sustain a civilian workforce of some 730,000 strong. The changes we make to the Department of Defense's personnel system will affect more than a quarter of the total federal civilian workforce. We need to get this right."