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<DIV><FONT size=4>It hasn't settled anything Guy</FONT><FONT
size=4>!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Lonnie</FONT></DIV>
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style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=nag723@verizon.net href="mailto:nag723@verizon.net">Nina P.
Anastasio</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=lonnie.butler1@gmail.com
href="mailto:lonnie.butler1@gmail.com">Lonnie Butler</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A title=psml@usps.org
href="mailto:psml@usps.org">psml@usps.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, October 13, 2009 1:54
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Psml] Merit Mark comments</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Hi John,</DIV>
<DIV>Well put! I believe your statement, along with those of John
Alter and Kent Simpson, should settle the merit mark discussion.</DIV>
<DIV>P/D/C Guy Anastasio</DIV>
<DIV>D/3 Bayside Power Squadron<BR><BR><BR>Oct 13, 2009 12:43:47 PM, <A
class=parsedEmail href="mailto:jrb@accurecord.com"
target=_blank>jrb@accurecord.com</A> wrote:<BR></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(102,153,204) 3px solid">
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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</FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
understand what's expected and to</FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial> keep up
with the normal work load. As squadron sizes shrink, their load
increases.</FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial> 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.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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? </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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<B>
substantial</B> 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".</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT size=2 face=Arial>R/C John R. Bradley,
SN</FONT></SPAN> <BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Chair USPS
Information Technology Committee</FONT></SPAN> <BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT
size=2 face=Arial>60 Old Brook Road </FONT></SPAN><BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT
size=2 face=Arial>Dix Hills, NY 11746-6432 </FONT></SPAN><BR><SPAN
lang=en-us><FONT size=2 face=Arial>(800) 777-3770 ext.203 Office
</FONT></SPAN><BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT size=2 face=Arial>(631) 546-5768
Home </FONT></SPAN><BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT size=2 face=Arial>(631)
274-2103 FAX </FONT></SPAN><BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A
class="parsedEmail parsedEmail" href="mailto:jrb@accurecord.com"
target=_blank>jrb@accurecord.com</A> </FONT></SPAN><BR><SPAN
lang=en-us><FONT size=2 face=Arial> </FONT></SPAN> <BR><SPAN
lang=en-us><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
</FONT></SPAN></P><BR><BR>
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