The Pentagon is moving forward with significant civilian workforce reductions of up to 60,000 positions, but has so far secured only 21,000 voluntary resignations—raising questions about how the remaining cuts will be achieved.
Key Takeaways
- The Pentagon aims to reduce its civilian workforce by 50,000-60,000 employees (5-8% of its current 878,000 civilian staff)
- About 21,000 employees have had their voluntary resignation requests approved through the Deferred Resignation Program
- A hiring freeze is in effect, preventing the usual intake of 6,000 new employees monthly
- Up to 30,000 veterans employed as Pentagon civilians could be affected by the workforce reduction
- Legal challenges have temporarily halted the termination of 5,400 probationary employees
Pentagon’s Multi-Pronged Approach to Workforce Reduction
The Department of Defense is implementing a comprehensive strategy to reduce its civilian workforce by 5-8%, targeting between 50,000 and 60,000 positions. This initiative combines voluntary measures, hiring restrictions, and potential involuntary separations. The centerpiece of this effort is the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), which allows employees to leave while continuing to receive pay until October 2024. Defense officials report significant progress with this voluntary approach.
The voluntary resignation component has shown early success, with a senior defense official confirming that approximately 21,000 employees have had their applications approved under the DRP. These employees will continue receiving pay until October before officially separating from government service. Additionally, the Pentagon has implemented a hiring freeze that prevents the department from bringing on its usual 6,000 new employees per month, creating natural attrition that contributes to the overall reduction targets.
🚨 Pentagon aims to cut up to 60,000 civilian jobs
▪️ fewer than 21,000 workers who took a voluntary resignation plan are leaving in the coming months
▪️ the department aims to slash about 6,000 positions a month by simply not replacing workers who routinely leave— DailyJobCuts . com – Layoffs / Job / Economy News (@dailyjobcuts) March 18, 2025
Legal Challenges and Alternative Approaches
The Pentagon’s first phase of the plan included terminating approximately 5,400 probationary employees identified for underperformance or misconduct reasons. However, this aspect of the reduction plan has encountered significant legal obstacles. A federal judge has issued a restraining order halting these terminations, forcing defense officials to reassess their approach. Despite this setback, leadership remains committed to achieving the target reductions.
“There are other methods available to the secretary,” a senior defense official stated when asked about alternative approaches should current methods fall short of reduction targets. This suggests the Pentagon has contingency plans in place to reach its workforce reduction goals, though specific details about these alternative measures have not been publicly disclosed.
Impact on Veterans and Critical Functions
A significant concern surrounding the workforce reduction is its potential impact on veterans, who make up a substantial portion of the Pentagon’s civilian workforce. Officials estimate that up to 30,000 veterans could be affected by the cuts. However, defense leadership has emphasized that decisions about retention will be made carefully, with consideration for critical skills and mission requirements.
“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,” a senior U.S. defense official explained. This suggests that while veterans will not be entirely exempt from the reductions, their specialized skills and experience will factor into retention decisions.
Strategic Prioritization of Resources
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has framed these workforce reductions as part of a broader strategic realignment to enhance military readiness and capabilities. The Pentagon aims to reallocate resources toward critical national security priorities and core mission functions. Despite the scope of the reductions, defense officials have sought to present them as manageable and strategically necessary.
“The number sounds high, but I would focus on the percentage, a 5% to 8% reduction is not a drastic one,” noted a senior defense official, who added that Secretary Hegseth “is confident can be done without negatively impacting readiness in order to make sure that our resources are allocated in the right direction.” This messaging reflects the Department’s effort to balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining operational effectiveness.
Future Planning
As the Pentagon progresses toward its workforce reduction targets, officials continue to emphasize their commitment to being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources while maintaining the Department’s ability to accomplish its mission. The coming months will reveal whether the current voluntary measures will prove sufficient or if additional steps will be required to reach the established reduction goals.
