We recently learned that there’s a Federal agency that has a more-than-slight resemblance to us. It’s the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce, or CEW.The Department of Defense (DoD) set up the CEW in 2009. It’s made up of civilian DoD employees who volunteer to be available for overseas assignments if and when such needs arise. The NLSC seeks volunteers from all walks of life. CEW assignments are in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Europe and the Continental United States and are typically one to two years long. NLSC assignments can be with any government agency and can take our members anywhere in the US or the world. But in contrast to the CEW, our assignments last an average of about two weeks.
CEW staff might support combat operations by the military, as well as emergency operations, humanitarian missions, disaster relief, restoration of order or drug interdiction and could play roles ranging from logistical to HR to public affairs. NLSC assignments, on the other hand, are limited to language-related assignments.
While deployed, CEW staff are provided the same living quarters and medical services provided to our Uniformed Service Members.
The CEW allows employees to remain assigned to their home organization while freeing up military personnel for other tasks, and CEW staff gain valuable experience to bring back to their command. Plus, participants who meet program requirements would be eligible to receive the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism.
So, a shout-out to the CEW, an organization that shares a kindred spirit with the NLSC.
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