**The following is an address made by RRAD Commander COL Jason A.

Carrico to the
workforce of Red River Army Depot. The address was given the morning of 23 Feb 2017.

Let me begin by saying that the work you do each day is valued and viewed

by everyone as a great contribution to this depot, our Army and most

importantly to this Nations defense.

This is evident by the recognition over the years that our depot is a premier

leader in overhaul, repair, recapitalization and remanufacturing of combat

systems, tactical vehicles and components.

As you all probably have heard, on January 23, 2017, the President issued a

memorandum directing all Federal agencies to implement an across-the-

board hiring freeze.

Based on this memo and implementation instructions issued by the Deputy

Secretary of Defense on 1 Feb 17, the Acting Army Secretary must approve

all extensions of temporary and term appointments on a position by

position basis.

Each installation must provide their justifications through their chain of

Command to receive approval. Each justification must clearly demonstrate

that the position is necessary for National Security and Public Safety.

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 RRAD has provided TACOM and AMC the request with justifications to

extend our temporary and term employees, within the constraints of laws

governing their employment.

We also requested approval to extend our employees on temporary

promotions.

As of today, AMC received approval to extend terms/temps employees with

Not to Exceed dates in February. RRAD only had one employee affected

in February.

We are currently waiting approval for our request to extend those

employees with Not to Exceed dates in March through May.

It is not our intent or that of TACOM and AMC to lose any of our team

members due to these restrictions. That would impact the Depots mission

and the Armys readiness.

We have been working closely with our Higher Commands as well as our

representatives in Congress and the Senate, for a quick resolution on this

urgent matter.

The impact of the freeze affects not only our Terms and Temporary team

members but our entire installation.

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 We exists to support the warfighter, and the duties that you perform on a

daily basis are mission critical and in direct support of the readiness of our

Army and the Nations defense.

At the same time, I understand that each of you depend on your positions

as means of your livelihood and that the required approval process is very

frustrating and time sensitive.

As your Commander, I am committed to continue to work to secure the

approvals to extend all time limited appointment in support of readiness.

Upon receipt of the required approvals, I will issue further guidance.