The Pentagon is moving forward with dramatic cuts to its civilian workforce, with 21,000 of the targeted 60,000 positions eliminated through voluntary measures so far.
Key Takeaways
- The Department of Defense aims to reduce its civilian workforce by 50,000-60,000 employees (5-8% of its 878,000 civilian workforce)
- Approximately 21,000 employees have had their voluntary resignation requests approved under the Deferred Resignation Program
- A Pentagon-wide hiring freeze is in place, preventing the normal intake of 6,000 new employees monthly
- Up to 30,000 military veterans employed as Pentagon civilians could be affected by the cuts
- Plans to terminate 5,400 probationary employees have been temporarily halted by a federal judge’s restraining order
Pentagon’s Workforce Reduction Strategy
Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s direction, the Department of Defense is implementing a significant workforce reduction plan targeting between 50,000 and 60,000 civilian positions. This represents approximately 5-8% of the Pentagon’s current 878,000 civilian employees. The initiative is part of a broader effort to realign resources with national security priorities and enhance the department’s combat readiness and warfighting capabilities while demonstrating fiscal responsibility to American taxpayers.
The workforce reduction strategy employs multiple approaches. The first phase included a Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), which allows employees to voluntarily leave while continuing to receive pay until October. A senior defense official confirmed that nearly 21,000 employees have had their applications for voluntary resignation approved through this program. Additionally, the Pentagon has implemented a hiring freeze, preventing the usual monthly intake of approximately 6,000 new civilian employees.
Pentagon to cut up to 60K civilian jobs, but fewer than 21K have voluntarily resigned https://t.co/H0G2L36ibS
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Challenges in Implementation
The Pentagon’s reduction plan has not been without obstacles. An initial attempt to terminate 5,400 probationary employees identified for removal based on performance or conduct issues has been temporarily halted by a federal judge’s restraining order. This legal challenge has forced department officials to reconsider their approach to achieving the targeted cuts. Defense officials maintain that probationary status alone was not the determining factor for potential termination.
“The fact that someone was a probationary employee did not directly mean that they were going to be subject to removal,” explained a senior defense official.
The hiring freeze includes some strategic exemptions for critical functions in shipyards, maintenance depots, and medical facilities. This selective approach reflects the department’s effort to balance workforce reduction goals with maintaining essential operational capabilities. Despite these exemptions, the freeze represents a significant departure from the Pentagon’s typical hiring patterns and will contribute substantially to the overall reduction target.
Impact on Military Veterans
A notable concern in the workforce reduction is its potential impact on approximately 30,000 military veterans currently employed as Pentagon civilians. These veterans represent a significant portion of the civilian workforce that could be affected by the cuts. Defense officials have acknowledged this concern and indicated that retention decisions will prioritize individuals contributing directly to core mission functions, regardless of veteran status.
“So there are so many critical skills and experience that veterans have to offer. And that’s part of the analysis. When we consider who is contributing to the core mission functions and who should be retained,” stated a senior U.S. defense official.
Looking Ahead
With voluntary measures accounting for only about a third of the targeted reductions thus far, questions remain about how the Department of Defense will achieve its full reduction goal. Secretary Hegseth has indicated a commitment to completing the planned cuts, with officials noting that “there are other methods available to the secretary” if voluntary measures prove insufficient. The Pentagon has not yet publicly detailed specific plans for additional reductions beyond the current voluntary program and hiring freeze.
Defense officials emphasize that these reductions align with broader efforts to enhance the department’s lethality, readiness, and warfighting capabilities while being accountable stewards of taxpayer funds. The ongoing implementation of this workforce reduction plan will likely continue to evolve as the department works to balance operational requirements with fiscal constraints.
