Atlas’ Post

Outrage Over the GHC Contract's Impact on Independent Contractors The SCA requirements of the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) are nothing short of an affront to independent contractor small business owners in the military moving arena. This contract appears designed to push these hardworking individuals out of the industry or force them into employee status, stripping away their autonomy and livelihoods. The notion that employees inherently provide better service is a subjective opinion with no factual basis to support it. The reality is that independent contractors have consistently delivered personalized and quality service to military families. However, the GHC contract seems to prioritize monopolization over merit. What's more infuriating is that one of the prime contract winners has a track record as one of the worst providers of moving services, as evidenced by abysmal Google ratings. This raises a glaring question: How can we trust a system that rewards poor service and undermines the very professionals who have dedicated themselves to serving our military families? It is unacceptable for the USTC to allow this contract to jeopardize the livelihoods of independent contractors while favoring subpar service providers. Immediate action is needed to rectify this situation and ensure that quality service is prioritized in the military moving sector.

Movers for America Coalition Supports High-Quality Military Moving Industry, Warns GHC Contract Will Create Underfunded, Anti-Competitive Monopoly NEWS PROVIDED BY Movers for America Apr 30, 2024, 08:50 ET WASHINGTON, April 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to course-correct the U.S. Department of Defense's anti-competitive plan to outsource military household moves, a coalition of nearly 200 experienced moving professionals launched Movers for America. The coalition, composed of leading moving companies and independent owner-operators who currently participate in a substantial percentage of military moves, questions the viability of and therefore opposes the Defense Department's plan to place all military moves under a single entity through the new Global Household Goods contract (GHC). Movers for America includes dedicated professionals who help move hundreds of thousands of active-duty military families across the country and around the world, including agency owners, company employees, labor contractors, and independent owner-operators. The coalition supports a high-quality, efficient, and safe moving program for America's servicemembers and their families.

It's encouraging to see the industry leaders recognizing the concerns we've raised. The military moving sector has effectively become a privatized monopoly, lacking adequate safeguards for potential disruptions. As you are likely aware, there is a significant shortage of service providers. Even during times of broader participation, there weren’t enough companies to meet demand. This situation explains why moving companies are hesitant to engage in this market. The Master Service Agreement (MSA) currently on the table is unlike any other contract; its ambiguity is so pronounced that it could be mistaken for a document full of blank pages awaiting completion. Only a company in dire circumstances would consider signing such an uncertain agreement in its present form. From the desk of: Jack Griffin CEO , Atlas Van Lines.

Check out this insightful article from the New York Times on the brain damage and suicide risks faced by Navy SEALs. It highlights the powerful story of Sydney Negley Mulder and Bill Mulder. Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/gTQeka7B.

This is awesome - and I 100% support the concept. But ... for a congressional document, there is not a single call for a change or update to law, code, policy, etc. The "strategy" does mention the Jones Act twice - with the second mention coming the closest to a policy recommendation: "Strengthen America’s maritime workforce and the Jones Act Fleet—the backbone of our sea service." Gentlemen - with respect - the Jones Act does not need strengthening - it needs repealing and replacing. The Jones Act is outdated and a driver - if not the main driver - of the slow death of the American maritime industry. If congress attempts to legislate the market when it comes to attempts to revitalize the maritime industries of the United States, unfortunately, there will be two results, 1) the industries will continue to fail and decline, and 2) civilian, government, and military vessels that will continue to be mandated to be constructed in the U.S. will become even more expensive. https://lnkd.in/em2Wi796

I saw a post from Michelle “MACE” Curran today that I thought was great! Below is a video of an F-16 trying to refuel (it isn't MACE) that is overcorrecting too much. For my US Navy friends, think of unassisted landings or chasing the bubble. I wanted to tweak her message some: When things start to go wrong, it’s easy to feel the pull to act immediately, to react fast, and to fix everything. But in those moments, one of the most important things you can do is pause—take a breath. Overcorrecting when faced with problems can often lead to bigger issues, whether in a project, relationship, or life decision. Acting out of panic or frustration can cause us to lose perspective and turn a minor setback into a much larger challenge. So next time you face adversity, slow down instead of rushing to react. Assess the situation calmly. Take a step back, breathe, and make sure your response is measured. A thoughtful course correction will always lead to better outcomes than a rash overreaction. Remember, small setbacks don’t require drastic changes—just careful adjustments. Stay grounded, breathe, and move forward with clarity. What do you think? Thank you, Mace, for the great post! Infrastructure Masons Compass Datacenters United States Air Force #veterans #veteransupport #veteranshelpingveterans

Richard Marles says the Coalition is responsible for leaving Labor with the oldest surface fleet since WWII. Is that correct? | Enjoyed working with Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) #RMITABCFactcheck's Matt Martino on this one. How did we get to the point of the Navy's capability being historically small, aged and relative to the region undergunned - it's a complex story, but it is decades of indecision, a misunderstanding of the importance of the maritime domain to Australia and Australia's maritime vulnerability. The good news - is that there are plans to rectify much (not all of this). The bad news, this comes at a time where there is significant geopolitical risk - and the rectification plan doesn't start to take effect until the mid 2030s. It is important that Australia learns the lessons from this journey, we are a maritime nation, a regional maritime power with all of the obligations that go along with this and to protect our way of life we need a strong, capable Royal Australian Navy. ANU National Security College UNSW Canberra Council on Geostrategy https://lnkd.in/gpsujY2W

New Post: Special Forces - https://lnkd.in/eNkkdHpu Forces, often referred to as “Green Berets” in the United States, represent elite units within military forces worldwide. These highly trained and specialized soldiers are tasked with executing covert and high-stakes missions, often in hostile and challenging environments. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the roles and responsibilities of Special Forces soldiers,…

New Post: Special Forces - https://lnkd.in/eZa5tXaq Forces, often referred to as “Green Berets” in the United States, represent elite units within military forces worldwide. These highly trained and specialized soldiers are tasked with executing covert and high-stakes missions, often in hostile and challenging environments. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the roles and responsibilities of Special Forces soldiers,…

Congress has recently approved a boost in the "Family Separation Allowance" to make long exercises and deployments easier on families. However, it seems that the Pentagon is dragging its feet in implementing the increase in pay. The allowance, also known as FSA, is currently an extra monthly $250 to help service members cover the extra expenses incurred during separations lasting over 30 days. Under the National Defense Authorization Act, the Pentagon has the authority to increase the allowance to as much as $400. Unfortunately, despite the congressional approval, the Pentagon has not made a decision to change the monthly amount of Family Separation Allowance at this time. This delay is causing confusion and frustration among military families. Let's support our troops and urge the Pentagon to prioritize the well-being of our service members and their families. #DeployedTroops #FamilySeparationPay #PentagonResistance #MilitaryBenefits #SupportOurTroops