Hal Rainey talked about the challenges, opportunities, and threats facing the U.S. government workforce and compared the public and private sector. Because of bad press and attitudes towards the bureaucratic section of the government Professor Rainey called public servants “knights in fragile armor” that are not fully protected from constant criticism. This, and low pay, are among the factors making it hard to attract good people to public service. Professor Rainey warned that institutional knowledge would be lost with the imminent retirement of a large portion of senior management. He used PowerPoint during his presentation and responded to questions from students in the Jesse Wrench Auditorium.
“Knights in Fragile Armor: The Crucial but Threatened Character of Public and Governmental Service in the United States and the Symbiosis of Freedom” was part of the Monroe-Paine Distinguished Lecture Series of the Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs.