[Psml] Merit Mark comments

[John R. Bradley]

The problem with allowing squadron commanders to be the final authority on
merit marks is that in most cases squadron commanders, unless they are
retreads, generally don't have enough experience in USPS to render informed
decisions. A commander with one advanced grade and 1 or 2 merit marks (which
is becoming the norm rather than an aberration) is struggling just to
understand what's expected and to keep up with the normal work load.  As
squadron sizes shrink, their load increases. This is not to say that there
are not some well organized squadrons that are able to help new commanders.
But my experience gained over 20+ years is that many squadrons are happy
just to find someone still breathing to take their turn in the barrel.
Also, the idea that a merit mark should be awarded to a new member as an
incentive to do work is putting the cart before the horse. Does the Army
award medals before a soldier has done something meritorious? 
A Merit Mark is a type of medal awarded to members.  As stated in the Ops
manual   "A merit mark (MM) is awarded by the chief commander to a member
for substantial personal effort in furthering the interest, programs and
objectives of USPS, its districts and squadrons. It is a coveted award; it
is by and large the only official recognition members receive for their
efforts".

R/C John R. Bradley, SN
Chair USPS Information Technology Committee
60 Old Brook Road 
Dix Hills, NY 11746-6432 
(800) 777-3770 ext.203 Office 
(631) 546-5768 Home 
(631) 274-2103 FAX 
jrb at accurecord.com 
 
    


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.usps.org/pipermail/psml/attachments/20091013/2b27f765/attachment.html