Pentagon Launches Workforce Reduction Plan Targeting Civilian Employees

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth formalizes initiative to cut 5-8% of civilian positions while emphasizing voluntary measures and efficiency reforms.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum initiating the 'Workforce Acceleration and Recapitalization Initiative' to realign and reduce the Department of Defense's civilian workforce.
The plan targets a 5-8% reduction of the DOD's 950,000 civilian employees, potentially impacting up to 76,000 positions, though specific layoff numbers remain unspecified.
Voluntary resignation and early retirement programs have been reopened to minimize involuntary job losses, with exemptions expected to be rare.
The initiative focuses on reducing bureaucracy, eliminating duplicative efforts, and adopting automation to enhance military readiness and efficiency.
Senior officials are required to present a new organizational structure by April 11, 2025, as part of broader federal cost-cutting efforts led by the Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk.