Pentagon Pursues Workforce Cuts of Up to 60,000 Civilian Jobs

Aiming for a 5% to 8% reduction, the Pentagon is implementing voluntary resignations, a hiring freeze, and reviewing probationary employee terminations, though legal challenges have paused some efforts.

The Department of Defense plans to reduce its civilian workforce by 50,000 to 60,000 employees, targeting a 5% to 8% reduction in its 900,000-strong workforce.
Approximately 21,000 employees have been approved for voluntary resignation under the Deferred Resignation Program, which allows them to leave while receiving pay through the fiscal year.
A hiring freeze is in place, preventing the replacement of roughly 6,000 employees who leave each month, contributing to the workforce reduction goal.
Efforts to terminate 5,400 probationary employees are currently on hold due to legal challenges, with courts questioning the legality of the dismissals.
The Pentagon asserts that the reductions will not compromise military readiness and is reviewing personnel case by case to retain critical national security roles.