Arlington superintendent canned
According to Stars & Stripes, Jack E. Lechner Jr. the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery was fired because “a review of his performance “called into question his ability to serve successfully as a senior leader.”” The Army wouldn’t elaborate beyond that statement. Actually, I’d expect that statement to be followed by an announcement of a six-figure bonus in the current leadership climate we’ve seen at the Pentagon.
So this guy, Lechner, must really suck at his job. He’s only been at it for a year. The guy before him lost bodies of veterans in the municipal dump, had headstones turn up in a nearby creek and he was allowed to retire after years of mismanagement, so I can only imagine how bad Lechner screwed up. Or maybe he just sucked at his job and didn’t suck up to the brass at lightspeed.
Thanks to Bobo for the link.
Category: Arlington National Cemetary
“Jack Lechner is a tribute to our nation, our military personnel, our honored dead, wherever they rest in peace, and to funeral service.”
“Jack’s appointment as Superintendent brings out a great deal of pride in me not only because he is from New Jersey but also because he is a fellow licensed funeral director. I have known Jack for many years and believe his professionalism and dedication to both funeral service and veterans will help guide the important work being done every day at Arlington.”
“Superintendent Lechner knows and understands the needs of funeral directors and the families of veterans they serve in ensuring they are properly attended with dignity and respect and in a timely manner.”
Those are a few of the comments published about him at the time of his appointment. I believe I found the problem with Lechner. It’s in the second comment, third line.
Yo, y ru so disrespektful abuot peeple frum NJ?
UR an IDEUT!
RE: Second paragraph,third line.
I don’t know Jack Schitt, but I do know his baby brother changed his last name to Lechner when people began to realize he was from a long line of Schitt. Wanted to change his first name to either Bull or Fulla, but other inbreads from this family either already had that name, or married a cousin by that name
Well, I’ll be…it stretched out. The problem is in the second comment, second line, not third.
Yo, y ru so disrespektful abuot peeple frum NJ?
UR an IDEUT!
I was, of course, referring to his being licensed.
….in New Jersey.
Datz JOIZEE!
Tell that to the NJ residents I’ve met. I’ve been to NJ several times, no one local says ‘Jersey’ like that. It’s only the shoobies who infest the beach every summer that says it like that.
There are “people” who admit to being from NJ?
In this jabberwocky world, is it possible that his problem was that he expected competence, maybe even accountability? That would certainly be unforgiveable these days, and about the only thing that could get someone canned unceremoniously.
And he’s immediately hired for a senior management position at the VA.
And subsequently promoted.
He actually worked as Deputy Superintendent at Arlington for 2.5 years, took command for the last 1.5 years of his 29 years of service. Then applied for the GS position of Superintendent. From AMVET. http://frontlinesoffreedom.com/2015/05/30/show-388-1st-hour/
Meathead: “I still can’t find an apartment.”
Archie: “Try Jersey.”
Meathead; “But I hate Jersey.”
Archie: “Everybody hates Jersey but somebody’s gotta live there!”
Sounds to me like the ANC Director position is Career SES – and that this guy either really wasn’t up to snuff or p!ssed off the wrong folks during his 1-year probationary period.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/5/317.503
My guess would lean towards,pissed the wrong people off.
Probably found more “skeletons” in the closet on how things were done at Arlington…
It is career SES, Hondo. The probationary period was extended to two years by law last year, but he might have been grandfathered under the old rule–I know my boss was. In any event, I thought the same thing–he just wasn’t cut out to be an SES (for those of you who don’t know, an SES is the GS system’s equivalent of a general officer, flag and all). So I agree with you–he wasn’t cutting it, and they let him go. He does, of course, have fallback rights to his previous GS grade, if he can find a vacancy. I assume as Deputy he was a GS-15, and there are a lot of those open in DC right now. He’ll land softly.
Source documenting extension of probationary period to 2-years, please? The Cornell law site doesn’t show that in either CFR or US Code portions (both still say 1 year), and they’re generally quite accurate – but not infallible.
Plus, OPM still says one year.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/
Addendum: if you’re thinking about H.R.5169, Senior Executive Service Accountability Act, that was passed by the House only last year. Best I can tell, it’s not yet been either voted on by the Senate or signed into law by the POTUS.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/5169/all-actions
was fortunate enough to work for COL (R) Jack Lechner when he served as the Chief of Staff for the 316th ESC, the Reserve Sustainment Command which provided all logistical support to US and Coalition forces during “Surge” operations in Iraq. In my opinion, he was as hard-working and ethical as they come. He was exceptionally demanding, but fair with his staff. I will tell you, he didn’t suffer fools very well, so his dismissal has a certain odor to it.
I served with him too and consequently initiated an IG complaint on he and the commander of which some of the allegations turned out to be founded. I am not surprised at all that Jack Lechner is not fit to be a senior leader for DOD. He was totally Inappropriate in a male chauvinist pig. If someone walked by his office and someone looked in, he would say things like, what’s the matter with you – do I have a dick sticking out of my head? Enough said.
“Enough said.” Um, no, not nearly enough. In fact, although you think you made him sound terrible, he sounds like a gem. Got anything else other than ‘male chauvinist pig’ and the dick comment? Or is that it? I’ll tell you what, bud. YOU sound like the problem with that sissy mary pc bullshit. Are you related to a chick named Moerk?
I’m guessing he forgot one important piece of furniture for his office.
An Obama poster on the wall. Maybe even a voter registration card stating “Democrat”.
I, also, was in the 316th with lechner. His “leadership” is the text book definition of “toxic” leadership. No doubt that “leadership” carried forward to ANC.