3 sources·Politics

Pentagon Plans Major Civilian Job Cuts Amid Staffing Reductions

The Pentagon is set to cut 50,000-60,000 civilian jobs as part of a workforce reduction strategy aimed at enhancing efficiency.

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  1. Pentagon aims to cut up to 60,000 civilian jobs through buyouts, attrition

    The outline is part of the broader effort by the Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, to take an axe to the federal civilian workforce.

    Pentagon aims to cut up to 60,000 civilian jobs through buyouts, attrition

    The HillThe Hill·1M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  1. The Hill
  2. PBS NewsHour
  3. Associated Press
Updated: Mar 18th, 2025, 10:38 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

The Pentagon aims to cut 50,000–60,000 civilian jobs to reduce its workforce by 5% to 8%. The plan includes voluntary resignations and non-replacement of employees. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assures that military readiness won't be impacted by these cuts. Legal challenges are delaying the termination of probationary employees. This staffing initiative is part of a broader federal workforce reduction strategy led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.

Perspectives

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  • The Pentagon plans to cut 50,000 to 60,000 civilian jobs to achieve a workforce reduction of 5% to 8% amid concerns about military readiness.

  • Cuts will predominantly come from voluntary resignations and not replacing employees who leave, with careful oversight to ensure critical roles are maintained.

  • Legal challenges have put some cuts on hold, particularly for probationary workers, and there are ongoing inquiries into the legality of the reductions.

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Pentagon Plans Major Civilian Job Cuts Amid Staffing Reductions - Pano News