There is no doubt that the ME Rating standup will have some impact on either the timeliness or the quantity of the cuts. They have too.
As of right now, the 'source' billets to change to ME billets are not fully ID'd AND approved. It is very, very close, but not finished and approved. So that means that we do not know how many "XX" billets, in each paygrade will be around next year. (pick any rating for XX)
Secondly, the ME billet map is not finshed and approved yet. Again, very close, but not finished and approved.
Lastly, we do not know who will apply or who will be selected yet. If 12 XXSC billets are changed to MECS billets, and only 6 XXSCs are accepted, well that has a HUGE impact on advancements. (meaning 7 XXCSs will have to move on some how before one XXC makes XXCS). If PSC were to publish XXCS cuts without know that, then the bottom 6 folks above the cut would need to be carried over to the next year. That means that next year, the person who is #1 becomes basically #7. Talk to anyone who was an ET or maybe RM in the junior paygrades aroun 1991/92 about how bad that can be!
Now, what PSC decides to do about these difficulties, only they will know. For the rates where there are no 'source' billets, (once approved) they should be able to go about normal bussiness and if they are wrong, it will only mean they go PAST the cuts, not affecting the next years advancements. (ie - if there are no YYCS billets as source billets and 5 YYCSs apply and get selected, then they go 5 past the cut. If no YYCSs get selected, then their original number would be good)
So, if you are not completely confused by now, they you need to read the above until you are!
