(photo by Cat DeBinder) Expert panel members Bill Meekins, deputy chief of staff for human resources, Navy Medicine National Capital Area; Katie Emery, labor⁄employee relations specialist, Bethesda Satellite Human Resources Office; and Gary Gilmour, site manager of the Bethesda Satellite Office, answer questions from town hall meeting attendees Wednesday.

The Journal article stated deputy secretary of Defense, after reviewing civilian staffing options for military medical facilities in the National Capital Region, decided that civil service employees will be best served by becoming Defense Department civilians. Currently, the civilians work under service personnel systems such as the Department of the Navy and the Department of the Army.

Although the article specifically stated the change will allow for new and expanded opportunities for career development, and provide for equity and consistency during the BRAC-mandated transition period, many civilians misunderstood it to mean they would have to compete for their jobs.

Army Col. Leon Moores, deputy commander for Integration at Bethesda, said the transition to the Defense Department was a necessary change for civilian employees because it creates a much closer alignment of all services throughout the National Capital Area.

‘‘In an attempt to align the civilian workforce and allow for transparency and flexibility of assignments and job opportunities throughout their area of operations, the decision was made to transition the workforce to a DOD civilian workforce,” Moores said. ‘‘This is an attempt to move into the future in a smart way that protects all that will be working with us in developing a more regional medical care delivery system throughout the NCA.”

Moores said one of the effects the transition will have is it will create a truly level playing field across the region. He said there would be no change to basic rules and regulations that govern entitlements. All benefits will remain the same, seniority status and pay grade will also not be affected, he said.

At the end of Moores’ presentation, a panel of experts answered questions from the audience. The panel included Bill Meekins, deputy chief of staff for human resources, Navy Medicine National Capital Area; Katie Emery, labor⁄employee relations specialist, Bethesda Satellite Human Resources Office; and Gary Gilmour, site manager of the Bethesda Satellite Office.

Moores ended the town hall meeting by thanking the civilians for attending and for their patience.

‘‘You are our eyes and ears – it’s important you address your concerns up the chain of command,” Moores said.