Pentagon to Cut 47K to 76K Civilian Jobs, Starting 5,400 Layoffs Next Week/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Pentagon will lay off 5,400 civilian employees next week as part of a broader plan to reduce its civilian workforce by up to 8%. The cuts could affect over 47,000 to 76,000 workers, beginning with probationary employees hired or promoted within the past year. A hiring freeze and comprehensive workforce review will follow the initial round of layoffs.

Pentagon Workforce Reduction Quick Looks

• Initial layoffs: 5,400 civilian employees to be laid off starting next week
• Total cuts planned: Up to 47,000 to 76,000 jobs, representing a 5-8% workforce reduction
• Targeted employees: Primarily probationary staff with fewer civil service protections
• Follow-up measures: Hiring freeze and top-to-bottom personnel review to follow layoffs
• Official statement: Cuts aim to eliminate redundancies and focus on mission-critical roles
• Context: Part of broader federal workforce reductions under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
• Impact on veterans: Recently promoted veterans included among probationary employees affected
• Leadership response: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasizes focus on efficiency, not performance-based firings

Pentagon to Cut 47K to 76K Civilian Jobs, Starting 5,400 Layoffs Next Week

Deep Look

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon will begin laying off 5,400 civilian employees next week, marking the first wave of job cuts in a plan to reduce its civilian workforce by 5% to 8%, a Defense Department (DOD) official announced Friday. The cuts, aimed at streamlining operations and reducing costs, could ultimately affect more than 47,000 to 76,000 workers from a total civilian workforce of 764,000, based on data from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Darin Selnick, the acting DOD personnel chief, confirmed the layoffs in a statement, specifying that the first round targets probationary employees—those hired or promoted within the past year. These workers typically have fewer job protections under federal civil service rules, making them more vulnerable to workforce reductions.

“We believe in the goals of the program, and our leaders are carrying out that review carefully and smartly,” Selnick said, underscoring the department’s commitment to conducting a thorough workforce evaluation.

The Pentagon’s workforce cuts align with broader federal government downsizing initiatives spearheaded by the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Recent weeks have seen more than 19,000 probationary employees let go across agencies including the Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, and Veterans Affairs departments, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and OPM.

Mission-Critical Focus
The layoffs aim to eliminate redundancies and refocus the workforce on what the administration deems “mission-critical” roles.

“Taxpayers deserve to have us take a thorough look at our workforce top-to-bottom,” Selnick noted. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed this sentiment in an eight-minute video released Thursday, emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility.

“It is simply not in the public interest to retain individuals whose contributions are not mission-critical,” Hegseth said, though he added that the layoffs would primarily target “underperformers.” Notably, Selnick’s statement made no direct reference to performance criteria, focusing instead on employment status and redundancy.

Following the initial layoffs, the Pentagon will implement a hiring freeze and conduct a comprehensive review of its civilian personnel needs. The review, described as “top-to-bottom,” is expected to guide further reductions and resource reallocations.

Impact on Veterans and Readiness
The job cuts raise concerns about potential impacts on military readiness and veteran employment protections. While federal hiring preferences typically favor veterans, DOD sources indicate that recently promoted veterans still qualify as probationary and may be affected by the cuts.

Pentagon leaders initially planned to begin layoffs this week but delayed the move due to incomplete assessments of how the reductions might affect military effectiveness. Selnick did not address how the firings align with federal laws governing veteran preferences and career employee protections.

Political and Strategic Context
The Pentagon’s downsizing is part of a broader strategy to reallocate funds away from programs deemed inconsistent with President Donald Trump’s priorities. A memo from the acting deputy defense secretary urged departments to redirect resources from initiatives related to climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to core defense operations.

Hegseth defended the strategy, stating, “We are prioritizing lethality, readiness, and efficiency. That means tough choices, but necessary ones.”

While critics argue the cuts may undermine essential support roles, supporters believe trimming the workforce is vital to addressing budget constraints and improving operational efficiency. “Every taxpayer deserves a defense department focused on defending the nation, not bloated bureaucracies,” said a senior DOD official requesting anonymity.

Next Steps and Long-Term Outlook
The workforce reduction process will unfold over the coming months, with the largest cuts anticipated in administrative and support functions. Although the DOD has not provided a detailed timeline, the full review and final round of layoffs are expected to conclude by year’s end.

Employees facing layoffs will receive formal notices in the coming days, with severance packages and transition assistance offered where applicable. Federal employee unions have already signaled plans to challenge some of the cuts, citing concerns about procedural fairness and workforce morale.

As the Pentagon moves forward, the impact of these sweeping changes on defense operations and employee livelihoods remains a topic of intense scrutiny and debate.

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