European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 3, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Qualified gis May get out Early under voluntary reduction option by Janet Howells Tierney Washington Bureau Washington a enlisted soldiers who have served in the army for at least three years May be Able to get out Early under a new plan to reduce the Force voluntarily a personnel official said tuesday. The option called the voluntary Early transition program will allow soldiers to pick a Date Between next monday and aug. 31, 1992, to exit the ranks regard less of their current Date for ending service said it. Col. Timothy Decker chief of the army a professional development Branch in the Pentagon. A a we re offering this option As a voluntary measure to bring the Force Down a Decker said. A a it a the first time we be offered a program of this  Only a a a Small number of enlisted soldiers have qualified for previous a Early out programs Decker said. However he did not know specifically How Many had qualified and he would not say How Many the service hoped to attract under the new program. Such programs allowed those who were slated to leave Active duty in december or january to get out. In time to be Home for the Holiday season he said. Under this program there arc no financial benefits for getting out Early. Among those Likely to take advantage of the offer Are members having second thoughts about their service commitments. A with this program we will waive the remaining service obligation for anyone with three years of service who wants to get out in the next year a Decker said. Soldiers can request a specific Date to leave the service As Long As it is before aug. 31, 1992, he said. However the Date cannot interfere with unit readiness and see option on Page 2 dances with woo lies Rayvaughn Pierce struggles with his clothesline As head of tide Maine. His woo lies had packed away his Long Johns Flap in a stiff Breeze at his Home near in Mothballs since last  closer with backing of 11 democrats from wire reports Washington a Clarence Thomas moved nearer to winning Senate confirmation As the nations 106th supreme court Justice As the ranks of democrats endorsing his nomination grew to 11 senators. Meanwhile Thurgood Marshall the supreme courts first Black Justice and its last classic Liberal announced his immediate retirement. He had said june 27 that he would remain on the Bench until a successor was confirmed. In a two sentence letter to president Bush on tuesday the 83-Ycar-old Marshall said he officially retired a was of this Date a putting to rest speculation that he might sit monday when the supreme court begins its 1991-92 term. Therefore the High court will Start its session with Only eight justices. After a Day of negotiations the Senate agreed tuesday night to a proposal by Senate majority Leader George j. Mitchell a Maine to begin debate on see Thomas on Page 2cutbacks affect 500 of civilians in Europe by Deedee Arrington Doke staff writer Ramstein a Germany a fiscal 1992 has begun with nearly 500 air Force civilian employees in Europe either being moved to vacant jobs or handed Pink slips As part of manpower cutbacks according to . Air forces in Europe of plan gives u Manila Philippines up president Corazon Aquino announced wednesday that she has reached a Compromise with the Senate that gives the United states three years to withdraw its troops from Subic Bay naval facilities. Aquino said that she enlisted 15 senators to support the withdrawal plan and that she conveyed it to . Ambassador Frank Wisner. A 16th senator Joseph Estrada later met with Aquino and Palace sources said he also agreed to the plan. Facials. The cutbacks include those resulting from base closures. About 260 of those to lose their current jobs at bases and direct reporting units throughout Europe Are Likely to be placed in other department of defense that would give the president the required two thirds vote in the Senate to ratify the arrangement. Aquino said a today i have decided the philippine government will negotiate and execute an executive agreement with the United states government for the withdrawal of the United states military forces within a period not exceeding three  she added that she was dropping plans to Call a referendum to extend the Subic Bay lease for another 10 years jobs said sue Evans of a Safe a directorate of civilian personnel. Civilian personnel officials expected that about 231 local National and eight . Civilians would not be placed in other . Government jobs. However officials were still trying to find jobs for workers to be displaced said John Graham Safe Dir Ecleave Subic which Legal experts determined could be constitutionally flawed. A we cannot allow the people and the workers to live each Day worrying when they would get their next meal a Aquino said. Aquino did not say whether the United states would continue compensating the philippine government during the withdrawal period. A we have taken note of the presidents statement and have referred it to Washington a a . Emba a spokes Man said. Tor of civilian personnel. Local National workers representatives were notified of the impending cuts two to three months ago Graham said. The reduction in Force stemmed from an air Force Headquarters directive to see cutbacks on Page 2.s. 3 years to