WASHINGTON — Staff members from the Department of Government Efficiency visited the Pentagon on Tuesday to gather information on the military’s probationary workforce, according to U.S. officials.
It remains uncertain whether all probationary employees will face termination; some may be spared due to the vital roles they fulfill. Each military branch was required to submit their lists of probationary employees by the end of the business day on Tuesday.
The individuals impacted are primarily civilian defense workers who are still in their introductory phase, rather than uniformed military personnel, who are not subject to these cuts. This information comes from four officials who requested to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the discussion.
Reports suggested potential staff reductions at the Pentagon, as initially highlighted by The Washington Post, are in line with similar cuts happening across various federal agencies. Recently, there were high-profile dismissals of probationary employees involved in critical tasks at the National Nuclear Security Administration, despite their clearances and key positions. Most of these dismissed staff later received notices that they would be reinstated.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has expressed his backing for these cuts, emphasizing the need to eliminate inefficiencies in the Pentagon while enhancing support for combat operators. He articulated this view in a social media post last week, stating that the Pentagon should “cut the fat (HQ) and grow the muscle (warfighters).”
A report from the Government Accountability Office in 2023 indicated that the Defense Department employs over 700,000 full-time civilian staff.
In a strategic move, President Donald Trump has assigned the task of overseeing workforce reductions to Elon Musk, who holds significant government contracts with the Pentagon valued in the billions. However, in recent statements, Trump clarified that Musk is not officially leading the initiative but serves in a senior advisory role. This clarification followed several legal disputes regarding Musk’s authority to make sweeping changes within federal agencies.
