Pentagon Plans to Cut 5,400 Civilian Jobs Amid Workforce Restructuring
The Pentagon is set to lay off 5,400 probationary workers as part of a broader efficiency initiative, followed by a hiring freeze.
Overview
The Pentagon will terminate 5,400 probationary civilian employees next week, initiating a hiring freeze as part of a plan to reduce its workforce by 5-8%. This move aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to streamline government operations and refocus on military readiness. Acting undersecretary Darin Selnick stated these cuts aim to enhance efficiency and prioritize mission-critical roles. The Department of Defense, the largest federal agency, previously reported having over 700,000 civilian workers. These layoffs follow similar actions in other federal agencies, and another 50,000 job cuts could be anticipated.
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The Pentagon is cutting 5,400 civilian jobs as part of a broader effort to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and refocus on mission-critical roles. This move aligns with the Trump administration's goals to reduce the federal workforce and prioritize military readiness.
The Pentagon has not specified which departments will be most impacted, but the layoffs target probationary employees, generally those hired or promoted within the past year. This includes new hires and employees in new roles, regardless of their performance.
These layoffs are part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to reduce the federal workforce across various agencies. Similar cuts have been made in departments like Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Forest Service, with thousands of jobs eliminated in recent weeks.
The Pentagon aims to reduce its civilian workforce by 5% to 8%, which could result in up to 61,000 job losses, depending on the final assessment of its workforce needs.
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