The Pentagon is set to undergo a significant downsizing as the Department of Defense announced the termination of approximately 5,400 probationary civilian employees, effective next week. Alongside the layoffs, the department is also implementing a hiring freeze, signaling a dramatic shift in its workforce management strategy.
The decision follows an internal review by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which analyzed employment records and identified employees subject to dismissal. U.S. officials confirmed that the cuts do not impact uniformed military personnel, who remain exempt from the layoffs. Probationary employees, defined as those with less than one year of service and lacking civil service protections, are the primary targets of these workforce reductions.
Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Darin Selnick justified the move, stating, “We anticipate reducing the Department’s civilian workforce by 5-8% to produce efficiencies and refocus the Department on the President’s priorities and restoring readiness in the force.”
This action aligns with the broader federal workforce reduction strategy pursued by the Trump administration. Just last week, thousands of employees from federal health agencies were dismissed, and reports indicate that over 6,000 Internal Revenue Service employees will face termination by the week’s end.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been a staunch advocate for restructuring Pentagon operations, arguing that resources should be focused on military readiness rather than administrative overhead. In a recent post on X, Hegseth emphasized the need to “cut the fat (HQ) and grow the muscle (warfighters).” Sources familiar with his plans revealed that he has instructed Pentagon officials to develop a strategy aimed at reducing the defense budget by 8% annually over the next five years.
As part of this effort, the Pentagon has been tasked with identifying $50 billion in program cuts for the upcoming fiscal year. According to Robert Salesses, who is performing the duties of deputy secretary of defense, these savings will be redirected to align with the administration’s defense priorities. “Through our budgets, the Department of Defense will once again resource warfighting and cease unnecessary spending that set our military back under the previous administration, including through so-called ‘climate change’ and other woke programs, as well as excessive bureaucracy,” Salesses stated.
The Department of Defense, the largest federal agency, currently employs over 700,000 full-time civilian workers, as reported by the Government Accountability Office in 2023. The planned reductions mark one of the most significant downsizing efforts in recent history.
Adding to the sweeping changes, the administration also announced major leadership shake-ups within the Pentagon. President Trump revealed that Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown will be dismissed from his role as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine nominated as his replacement.
Additionally, Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force James Slife have also been relieved of their duties. Franchetti, who made history as the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy, was among the highest-ranking officials affected by the restructuring.
These personnel changes reflect the administration’s intent to realign the Pentagon’s leadership with its defense objectives. The restructuring aims to create a more efficient defense strategy, focusing on enhancing combat capabilities while cutting non-essential programs.
As the Pentagon moves forward with these significant workforce reductions and leadership changes, concerns remain regarding the long-term impact on national security, military readiness, and overall defense operations. While proponents argue that streamlining operations will lead to better efficiency, critics warn that such cuts may introduce new challenges and operational gaps.
The coming weeks will bring further clarity on which programs will be affected by funding cuts and how the hiring freeze will influence future recruitment efforts within the department. The administration’s broader push to curtail costs while maintaining military strength will continue to shape the policies and priorities of the Department of Defense moving forward.